US 12,245,354 B2
Swirl control through electrode geometry
Faraz Mehdi, Hanover, NH (US); Yu Zhang, Hanover, NH (US); Steven Moody, Hanover, NH (US); Brenda Melius, Hanover, NH (US); Jesse Roberts, Hanover, NH (US); and David J. Cook, Hanover, NH (US)
Assigned to Hypertherm, Inc., Hanover, NH (US)
Filed by Hypertherm, Inc., Hanover, NH (US)
Filed on Dec. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/560,824.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/130,526, filed on Dec. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0210902 A1, Jun. 30, 2022
Int. Cl. H05H 1/34 (2006.01)
CPC H05H 1/3468 (2021.05) [H05H 1/3405 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A translatable electrode for use in a cartridge assembly for a contact start plasma arc torch, the electrode comprising:
an electrode body having a longitudinal axis and comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
the proximal end comprising a spiral groove and a contact surface at a proximal end face, the proximal end shaped to electrically communicate with a cathodic element;
at least one emissive insert disposed within the distal end of the electrode body and proximate a distal end face;
at least one baffle disposed between the proximal and the distal end of the electrode body; and
a gas flow dampening region disposed circumferentially about the distal end and adjacent the distal end face and positioned between the at least one baffle and the distal end face, the gas flow dampening region having a knurling feature that includes at least on of ridging, texturing, pocketing, and channels substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the knurling feature dampening swirl flow at a tip of the electrode to reduce a hafnium loss of the emissive insert.