Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault
Plasma arc cutting torch ignition circuit and method providing a forced arc transfer function
 Circuitry and methods for reducing nozzle wear during starting of a plasma arc torch, even with a large standoff distance from a workpiece is described. The invention features a method of starting a plasma arc torch for cutting a workpiece using a pilot voltage to ionize a plasma gas and generate a pilot arc between an electrode and a nozzle. The method expedites the transfer of the arc from the nozzle to the workpiece by passing a generally smooth signal through the electrode before, during and after the arc transfers to the workpiece. A high frequency high voltage starting circuit is constructed with a pilot arc circuit isolated from a transfer arc circuit. A signal is generated which has a magnitude sufficient to ionizes a plasma gas to generate a pilot arc between the electrode and the nozzle and has a magnitude which generally increases after the pilot arc has been generated in order to expedite the transfer of the arc. The signal magnitude is, however, low enough to minimize transfer of the arc back to the nozzle. 
Hypertherm, Inc.
H
H05H
inventional
Jeffrey L. Richard W. Lifeng
Peterson Couch, Jr Luo