Patent ID: 7777151

Claim:
A handheld portable air plasma spray torch apparatus using ambient air as the working gas, said torch comprising: a copper cylindrical rod-shaped inner electrode and a copper ring-shaped outer electrode aligned axially to make a uniform discharge gap for plasma discharge between a downstream discharge end of the electrodes; a set of ring-shaped permanent magnets placed concentric with and around the inner electrode, permitting an airflow to flow between the electrode downstream ends; a position holder positioned upstream of the electrode ends, the ring-shaped magnets positioned between said electrode ends and the position holder, with said magnets seated by and in contact with the position holder, said inner electrode passing through a center of the ring-shaped magnets, said holder and magnets positioned to allow air flow to the downstream ends of the electrodes to the discharge gap; a tube frame housing, said electrodes, position holder and ring-shaped magnets contained within said housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; a centrifugal fan positioned at the inlet end of the tube frame housing, said fan creating an airflow through the housing to the electrode discharge gap to create a plasma discharge and plasma flow at the discharge gap; a cap attached to the outlet end of the tube frame housing, said cap positioned downstream of the discharge ends of the electrodes for protecting the discharge ends of the electrodes; a power supply connected to the inner and outer electrodes to form a plasma discharge at the discharge ends of said electrodes.