Patent ID: 8847103
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A method of regulating a gas flow of a plasma arc system having a gas regulator that controls gas flow from a gas source to the plasma torch system, a pilot input valve to fill a pilot chamber and a pilot dump valve to evacuate the pilot chamber, the pilot chamber mechanically coupled to the gas regulator through a pressure actuator mechanism, the method comprising: filling the pilot chamber by opening the pilot input valve to raise the pressure level in the pilot chamber; controlling the pilot pressure in the pilot chamber by opening and closing the pilot input valve and the pilot dump valve; controlling a gas flow or gas pressure through the gas regulator to the plasma torch system using the pressure actuator mechanism based on the pressure in the pilot chamber; opening a pilot dump valve to evacuate the pilot chamber and decrease or shut off the gas flow to the plasma torch system when electrical power is lost.