초록 ▼

A portable plasma arc torch system can be used for processing materials. The system includes a replaceable or rechargeable power source and replaceable or rechargeable gas source. A controller communicates with at least one of the power source or the gas source. A plasma delivery device received via

A portable plasma arc torch system can be used for processing materials. The system includes a replaceable or rechargeable power source and replaceable or rechargeable gas source. A controller communicates with at least one of the power source or the gas source. A plasma delivery device received via the controller current from the power source and gas from the gas source to generate a plasma arc at an output of the plasma delivery device. The plasma arc can be used to process materials such as metallic workpieces. The plasma arc torch can include a wearable portable assembly which includes the replaceable or rechargeable power and gas source. A plasma delivery device receives current from the power source in the assembly and gas from the gas source in the assembly to generate a plasma arc.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A self-contained portable plasma arc torch system comprising: a housing;a plasma arc torch assembly comprising a plasma arc torch control unit and a plasma arc torch, the plasma arc torch control unit being disposed in the housing and connected to the torch;a battery for providing DC power to the

1. A self-contained portable plasma arc torch system comprising: a housing;a plasma arc torch assembly comprising a plasma arc torch control unit and a plasma arc torch, the plasma arc torch control unit being disposed in the housing and connected to the torch;a battery for providing DC power to the plasma arc torch assembly, the battery disposed in or on the housing and providing sufficient voltage to a torch electrode to enable torch operation without requiring power conditioning circuitry; anda portable gas source for providing a gas to the plasma arc torch assembly, the portable gas source disposed in or on the housing,wherein the portable arc torch system, which includes the housing, the plasma arc torch assembly, the battery and the portable gas source, has a power to weight ratio of at least about 80 watts per pound. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the plasma arc torch control unit comprises an on-off electrical switch and gas controls for providing a gas to the plasma arc torch. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable gas source is a high-pressure gas container. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein a voltage supplied by the battery to the plasma arc torch assembly is at least about 45 volts of DC voltage. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the battery provides sufficient voltage to a torch electrode without requiring power conditioning circuitry that includes voltage step-up circuitry or high frequency switching. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the self-contained portable plasma arc torch system is sufficiently portable to be entirely held or worn by a user during operation of the plasma arc torch. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the battery and a gas source are part of an attachment module, the attachment module being detachable from the system. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the attachment module is connected to the plasma arc torch assembly with a power connection for the battery or a gas connection for the gas source. 9. The system of claim 7 wherein the attachment module is connected to the plasma arc torch assembly with at least one of an electrical connection for transferring power with the battery or a hose connection for transferring gas. 10. A chargeable power and gas unit for a portable plasma arc torch system comprising: a portable housing;a source of cutting gas disposed in or on the portable housing;a battery providing sufficient DC power for torch operation, the battery disposed in or on the portable housing;a first connector assembly disposed relative to the portable housing, the first connector assembly comprising an input for receiving gas to charge the source of cutting gas; anda second connector assembly disposed relative to the portable housing, the second connector assembly comprising an input for receiving a charge to charge the battery,wherein the portable plasma arc torch system, which includes the portable housing, the battery and the source of cutting gas, has a weight and, when connected to a plasma arc torch assembly, generates a plasma arc having a power, such that the power to weight ratio is greater than about 80 watts per pound. 11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a passive pilot arc circuit coupled between the battery and the plasma arc torch, the pilot arc circuit controlling the operation of the torch in a pilot arc mode. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the pilot arc circuit includes a pilot capacitor and a pilot resistor. 13. The chargeable power and gas unit of claim 10 wherein the battery provides sufficient DC power for torch operation without requiring power conditioning circuitry. 14. The chargeable power and gas unit of claim 10 wherein the first connector assembly further comprises an output adapted to mate with a gas connection on a plasma arc torch system. 15. The chargeable power and gas unit of claim 10 wherein the first connector assembly further comprises a hose to connect the chargeable power and gas unit with a plasma arc torch system. 16. The chargeable power and gas unit of claim 10 wherein the second connector assembly further comprises an output adapted to mate with a power connection on a plasma arc torch system. 17. The chargeable power and gas unit of claim 10 wherein the second connector assembly further comprises a wire to connect the chargeable power and gas unit with a plasma arc torch system. 18. A method for minimizing gas consumption of a portable plasma arc torch, comprising: commencing a flow of gas to the portable plasma arc torch from a portable, finite supply of gas;initiating a plasma arc;terminating the plasma arc; andsacrificing electrode life to minimize gas consumption by eliminating or substantially reducing a flow of the gas about an electrode of the plasma arc torch during preflow or postflow conditions, to less than approximately 10 seconds before commencement or after termination of the plasma arc. 19. A self-contained portable plasma arc torch system comprising: a housing;a plasma arc torch assembly comprising a plasma arc torch control unit and a plasma arc torch, the plasma arc torch control unit disposed in the housing and connected to the torch; anda battery for providing DC input power to the plasma arc torch assembly, the battery being disposed in or on the housing and providing at least 80 Volts of DC output voltage to a torch electrode without requiring power conditioning circuitry. 20. A portable plasma arc torch apparatus for processing a material comprising: a plasma delivery device;a replaceable or rechargeable battery in communication with the plasma delivery device, the battery providing at least about 80 volts of DC voltage to the plasma delivery device for processing the material; anda replaceable or rechargeable gas source disposed on or in the plasma delivery device and providing a gas to the plasma delivery device for generation of a plasma arc. 21. A self-contained portable plasma arc torch system comprising: a housing;a plasma arc torch assembly;a battery disposed in or on the housing for providing DC power to the plasma arc torch assembly;a gas source disposed in or on the housing for providing a gas to the plasma arc torch assembly; andan indicator representing at least one of a power level of the battery, a gas remaining in the gas source, or an amount of cutting capacity remaining in the system,wherein the portable plasma arc torch system, which includes the housing, the plasma arc torch assembly, the battery and the portable gas source, has a weight and generates a power, wherein the power to weight ratio of the portable plasma arc torch system is at least about 80 watts per pound. 22. The system of claim 21 further comprising an indicator displaying an indicia when a gas level of a gas source has reached a threshold level or when an energy level of the battery source has reached a threshold level. 23. A lightweight, portable plasma arc torch system comprising: a plasma arc torch assembly comprising a plasma arc torch control unit and a plasma arc torch;a battery for providing power to the plasma arc torch assembly; anda gas source for providing gas to the plasma arc torch assembly wherein a power to weight ratio for the lightweight portable plasma arc torch system, including the plasma arc torch assembly, the battery, and the gas source, is at least about 80 watts per pound. 24. A portable plasma arc torch apparatus for generating a plasma arc for the high temperature thermal processing of materials, comprising: a plasma delivery device including a plasma torch, the plasma torch having an electrode and a nozzle defining a plasma chamber therebetween; anda housing including: i) a replaceable or rechargeable battery coupled to the plasma delivery device, the battery for providing cutting power to the plasma delivery device, and ii) a replaceable or rechargeable gas source having a finite supply of gas and coupled to the plasma delivery device to provide a gas to the plasma delivery device,wherein the portable plasma arc torch apparatus generates a plasma arc at a power and has a weight, a ratio of the power to the weight being at least about 80 watts per pound, wherein during a discharge of the gas source, substantially all of the gas is discharged through the plasma chamber. 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein a flow of the gas is initiated at substantially the same time that the plasma arc is initiated. 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the flow of gas is initiated at a time not more than about 10 seconds before initiation of the plasma arc. 27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein a flow of the gas is substantially reduced or terminated at substantially the same time that the plasma arc is terminated. 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the flow of gas is substantially reduced or terminated at a time not more than about 10 seconds after termination of the plasma arc.