| US 7,429,715 B2 | ||
| Modular plasma arc torch | ||
| Darrin H. MacKenzie, Windsor, Vt. (US); Shiyu Chen, Claremont, N.H. (US); Roger W. Hewett, Plainfield, N.H. (US); Kevin D. Horner-Richardson, Cornish, N.H. (US); and Joseph P. Jones, Lebanon, N.H. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Thermal Dynamics Corporation, West Lebanon, N.H. (US) | ||
| Filed on Feb. 26, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/83,194. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2003/0160032 A1, Aug. 28, 2003 | ||
| Int. Cl. B23K 10/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 219—121.5 [219/121.51; 219/121.55; 219/75] | 82 Claims |
| 1. A modular plasma arc torch comprising:
a torch head;
a torch lead; and
a quick disconnect operatively engaged between the torch head and the torch lead, the quick disconnect comprising:
a pin fitting; and
a socket adapter,
wherein the pin fitting is engaged within the socket adapter such that gas and electric power are conducted through the quick
disconnect,
the pin fitting further comprising a plurality of resilient fingers defining a proximal end and a plurality of contact flanges
disposed at the proximal end of the resilient fingers; and the socket adapter further comprising a socket housing and a socket
fitting disposed within the socket housing,
wherein the contact flanges engage the socket fitting to provide electrical contact for supply of the electric power, wherein
the torch head is removably connected to the torch lead through the quick disconnect such that the torch head and the torch
lead may be quickly assembled and disassembled.
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