Patent ID: 7598473

Claim:
A nozzle for a transferred arc plasma cutting torch comprising, the nozzle comprising: a rear portion defining at least a portion of a plasma chamber; and a front portion including a first end disposed adjacent to the rear portion, a second end defining a plasma exit portion, and a plurality of gas passageways disposed within the front portion, each of the plurality of gas passageways extending from the first end to the second end and defining a gas path that provides a flow of secondary gas that exits the gas passageway via a gas passageway exit portion, each gas passageway exit portion being (a) disposed adjacent the plasma exit portion and (b) coplanar with the plasma exit portion, the plurality of gas passageways and gas passageway exit portions, in combination, providing a plurality of discrete jets of the secondary gas which are disposed substantially parallel to a plasma jet and which reduce entrainment of an ambient fluid or the secondary gas into the plasma jet.