US 12,114,413 B2
Connector in a plasma arc torch system
Jing Wu, Etna, NH (US); and Jesse A. Roberts, Cornish, NH (US)
Assigned to Hypertherm, Inc., Hanover, NH (US)
Filed by Hypertherm, Inc., Hanover, NH (US)
Filed on Sep. 11, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/567,432.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/729,540, filed on Sep. 11, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0281066 A1, Sep. 3, 2020
Int. Cl. H05H 1/36 (2006.01); B23K 10/00 (2006.01); H05H 1/28 (2006.01); H05H 1/34 (2006.01)
CPC H05H 1/36 (2013.01) [B23K 10/006 (2013.01); H05H 1/28 (2013.01); H05H 1/3423 (2021.05)] 36 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lead connector for connecting a plasma torch lead of a plasma arc torch to a power supply of a plasma cutting system, the lead connector comprising:
a base portion;
a central conduit disposed in the base portion, the central conduit configured to carry a gas and a torch current to the plasma arc torch; and
a plurality of pins disposed radially about a center of the central conduit, the plurality of pins located at a radius of between about 0.4 inches and about 0.65 inches from the center of the central conduit on a radial plane of the base portion, the plurality of pins including:
one or more pilot carrying pins configured to carry a pilot current to the plasma arc torch, the one or more pilot carrying pins located from about 27 degrees to about 64 degrees about the center of the central conduit on the radial plane; and
a plurality of control signal pins radially disposed from about 120 degrees to about 170 degrees about the center of the central conduit on the radial plane, the plurality of control signal pins including (i) a power pin configured to provide power to a control board of the plasma arc torch and (ii) at least one of a start pin configured to generate a start signal for operating the torch or a consumable sensing pin configured to generate a detection signal for sensing installation of a consumable in the torch;
wherein an angular spacing between each of the pilot carrying pins and a closest of the control signal pins is about 66 degrees or greater such that a current creepage is reduced between the pilot carrying pins and the closest of the control signal pins.