Patent ID: 6960737

Claim:
A system for controlling gas flow from a gas source, through a gas conduit, and to a plasma arc torch during a transition from a cold flow when no arc is present to a hot flow when an arc is present comprising: a first solenoid in communication with the gas source, the first solenoid having an off position and an on position; a second solenoid disposed proximate the plasma arc torch and in communication with the first solenoid, the second solenoid having an off position and an on position; and a bypass circuit in communication with the gas source and the second solenoid, the bypass circuit comprising: a bypass solenoid having an off position and an on position, wherein the gas pressure within the gas conduit is controlled by the bypass solenoid to reduce gas flow fluctuations when transitioning from cold flow to hot flow, and wherein when the bypass solenoid is in the open position and the first and second solenoids are in the closed positions, gas pressure of the gas within the gas conduit is increased.