JP3883005B2 - Steam plasma torch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a plasma torch, and more particularly to a portable steam plasma torch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An example of a conventional steam plasma torch is shown in European Patent Application 0640426A1. The plasma torch generates an arc in order to perform welding, cutting, silver brazing, and the like of a metal such as iron, aluminum, and stainless steel. In particular, the steam plasma torch is a plasma torch that generates a plasma arc using not only an electric arc but also steam of a predetermined working fluid. For example, water is used for cutting and water and alcohol are used for welding. These working fluids are converted into steam by a porous heat conductive material that transfers heat of the electric arc generated near the tip of the plasma torch. The steam is injected near the tip of the plasma torch and establishes a plasma arc from the anode nozzle.
[0003]
In the conventional steam plasma torch, the working fluid is stored in the torch itself, that is, in the main body of the torch. Since the working fluid is stored in the torch itself without taking in the working fluid from the outside, the steam plasma torch is portable. This conventional steam plasma torch is used, for example, in an automobile maintenance shop, a construction site, or the like.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
European Patent Application Publication No. 0640426A1
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional apparatus, the amount of working fluid that can be stored is small. A small amount of the stored liquid means that the working time per operation becomes very short. This disadvantage is fatal for portable plasma torches. Replenishment of the working fluid is necessary frequently, especially in an emergency.
[0006]
The above-mentioned conventional apparatus, since they are stockpiling liquid to only a main body of the torch, so inevitably are larger than the diameter of the body portion in a length to try Mazo their stockpiling capacity, There was a tendency that the shape in the vicinity of the nozzle became a bulging shape. For this reason, it is very difficult to accurately aim the arc at the welding position of the work object, and there is a drawback that the usability is poor. In addition, there is a problem in that a phenomenon of parts near the nozzle due to heating by an arc occurs. Furthermore, since the diameter of the electrode material cannot be made too large, the electrode material needs to be replaced frequently, which has been a problem particularly in an emergency.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a steam plasma torch that can solve these problems in the prior art.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a steam plasma torch of the type that generates a plasma arc by steam includes a main body portion having a nozzle for blowing and forming a plasma arc at a tip portion, and a grip portion connected to the main body portion. A built-in tank for supplying a liquid for supplying steam is provided over both the main body and the gripping portion, and the main body is opposed to the back of the nozzle. An electrode holder holding the electrode material, a guide tube surrounding the space between the electrode material held by the electrode holder and the nozzle, and an evaporation behind the guide tube and surrounding the electrode holder A tube, and the evaporation tube transfers heat from an arc generated between the nozzle and the electrode material to the liquid in the built-in tank. And the guide pipe communicates the built-in tank and the space to inject the generated steam into the space, and the nozzle, the guide pipe, and the evaporation. There is provided a steam plasma torch characterized in that a seizure preventing means for preventing seizure due to heating is provided between the tubes .
[0009]
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a spare tank for supplying a liquid for supplying steam is detachably attached to the outside of the main body so as to communicate with the built-in tank. it can.
[0010]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a spare tank for supplying a liquid for supplying steam is detachably attached to the outside of the grip portion so as to communicate with the built-in tank. it can.
[0011]
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the built-in and reserve tanks are filled with a liquid absorbent for absorbing the liquid.
[0013]
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the burn-in prevention means is provided by a thin film provided on a proximity surface between the nozzle, the guide tube, and the evaporation tube.
[0014]
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the burn-in prevention means is provided by forming the nozzle, the induction tube, and the evaporation tube with different materials.
[0015]
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the burn-in prevention means is provided by integrally forming the induction tube and the evaporation tube.
[0016]
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid absorbent material is heat resistant at least in the vicinity of the evaporation tube.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, based on an accompanying drawing, the present invention is explained in detail about an embodiment and an example of the present invention.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a steam plasma torch according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip. The main body of the steam plasma torch 1 is composed of a main body portion 2 and a grip portion 3 extending substantially perpendicularly from the main body portion 2. Main parts required for the generation of the plasma arc are in the main body 2. For example, the user can perform the work by holding the grip portion 3 with one hand and supporting the main body portion 2 with the other hand. For simplification of the drawings, the power supply is not particularly shown in these drawings. However, the steam plasma torch of this embodiment is connected to an external power source and applies a high voltage and current between a nozzle anode 11 and a cathode electrode material 13 as will be described later, as in this type of conventional torch. It can be structured. Further, the spare tanks 43 and 45 shown in FIG. 1 are arbitrarily provided as will be described later, and are not necessarily required.
[0021]
The plasma torch 1 generates an electric arc by applying a high voltage between an anode 11 provided as a nozzle (nozzle anode) near the tip 5 and a cathode electrode material 13 fixed to an electrode holder 15. Can be generated. The electric arc is generated by, for example, pushing the rear surface of the adjusting screw 21 as will be described later against the displacement force of the spring 27 so that the cathode electrode material 13 held at the tip of the electrode holder 15 is moved to the nozzle anode 11. Then, the pressing force to the adjusting screw 21 is released, and the cathode electrode material 13 is moved backward from the nozzle anode 11 to be separated therefrom. When the cathode electrode material 13 is separated from the nozzle anode 11 with a high voltage applied between the nozzle anode 11 and the cathode electrode material 13, an electric arc is generated between the cathode electrode material 13 and the nozzle anode 11. It is done. In order to prevent leakage of electricity, the electrode holder 15 is covered with an insulating tube 17, and the vicinity of the tip 5 is protected by a cap 12. The heat of the generated electric arc is transmitted to an evaporation pipe 31 as will be described later, and the liquid in the built-in tank 33 as described later is heated to form steam and the nozzle anode 11 through an induction pipe 29 as described later. It is injected into the space between the cathode electrode material 13, whereby an electric arc is blown out from the opening 19 of the anode 11 to establish a plasma arc, and this plasma arc is used for cutting and welding. Will be. As shown well in FIG. 2, the induction tube 29 is arranged between the rear end of the nozzle anode 11 and the front end of the evaporation tube 31, and creates a gap for injecting steam therebetween. Has been. These gaps are structured to communicate with the internal tank 33.
[0022]
The size of the generated arc can be adjusted by the distance between the anode 11 and the cathode electrode material 13. The distance between the anode 11 and the cathode electrode material 13 can be adjusted, for example, by changing the degree of screwing of the adjusting screw 21 disposed at the rear part of the torch body. The adjusting screw 21 is screwed to an insulating screw 23 fixed to the torch body. As can be seen, when the screwing degree of the adjusting screw 21 is changed, the electrode holder 15 moves to the front or rear of the torch via the rear holding member 25 of the electrode holder 15 that is in contact with the adjusting screw 21. Along with this, the cathode electrode material 13 also moves forward or backward. As a result, the distance between the anode 11 and the cathode electrode material 13 is adjusted, and the size of the arc is also adjusted. The rear holding member 25 of the electrode holder 15 is always pressed against the adjustment screw 21 by the action of the spring 27.
[0023]
As the torch is used, the components in the main body of the plasma torch 1 are gradually consumed. Since the vicinity of the tip 5 is particularly exposed to a high temperature, the consumption of parts existing in the vicinity, such as the anode 11 and the cathode electrode material 13, is particularly large. The torch can be disassembled to allow replacement of consumables. However, parts near the tip that are particularly exposed to high temperatures are often in a state where they cannot be removed by ordinary human hands due to so-called seizure. Conventionally, in order to solve this problem, contrivances such as rubbing carbon into the inside of the nozzle anode 11 have been made, but a sufficient effect could not be obtained. The problem of seizure is considered to be caused by the fact that the anode 11, the induction tube 29, and the evaporation tube 31 are all made of the same material (generally copper). Materials for partitioning the anode 11 and the induction tube 29 or between the induction tube 29 and the evaporation tube 31 are respectively provided, or the material of the anode 11 and the material of the induction tube 29 or the induction tube 29 is provided. It is advisable to make the material and the material of the evaporation pipe 31 different from each other. The material used for these partitions or the material used for making the induction tube or the like is preferably a material having conductivity or heat conductivity. Examples of such a material include chrome (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and compounds thereof. Moreover, vapor deposition, plating, and a thin film process can be mentioned as a method of providing the partition material. FIG. 2 particularly shows a state where the thin film 32 is applied. Furthermore, in order to eliminate the problem caused by such image sticking, it is conceivable to form the induction tube and the evaporation tube as an integral unit from the beginning. In this case, since it is not necessary to provide two parts such as the evaporation pipe 31 and the induction pipe 29, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the labor and the replacement cost at the time of parts replacement are also reduced.
[0024]
In order to make the operation of the evaporation pipe 31 effective, it is necessary to always contact the evaporation pipe 31 with a certain working liquid, for example, water. For this purpose, the conventional evaporation tube 31 is often wrapped with a porous material such as a liquid absorbent capable of absorbing and holding the working liquid. However, heretofore, there has been a problem that the liquid absorbent material is stuck and baked on the evaporation tube 31 due to the heat generated when the arc is generated. Such seizure deteriorates the performance of the evaporator tube 31 and makes it difficult to stably supply steam or generate a stable arc. In the present embodiment, in order to solve this problem, the material of the evaporation pipe 31 has heat resistance (and therefore does not cause seizure), allows water as a working liquid to pass uniformly, and keeps vapor as constant as possible. Industrial materials with the characteristics of making at a speed of are selected and used. Examples of such materials that have both heat resistance and water retention include ceramic fibers, microporous ceramics, porous ceramics, and glass fibers.
[0025]
The working liquid brought into contact with the evaporation pipe 31 may be taken in from the outside sequentially during use, but this is not suitable for carrying. In order to make it suitable for carrying, the plasma torch 1 of the present invention includes a built-in tank 33 inside the torch body. The built-in tank 33 is provided over substantially the entire inner side of the torch cover 35 in order to store more working liquid. More specifically, a tank portion 33 a that extends not only to the main body 2 of the plasma torch 1 but also to the inside of the grip 3 is provided. Therefore, in the plasma torch 1 of the present invention, the shape of the built-in tank 33 is a shape corresponding to the shape inside the cover 35. The liquid can be supplied to the built-in tank 33 from an upper water supply port 37 and a lower water supply port 39 provided above and below the built-in tank 33, respectively. In this embodiment, the liquid absorbing material 41 is filled in the built-in tank 33 in order to prevent the liquid from shaking in the tank. In particular, it is preferable to use a heat-resistant liquid absorbent material 42 at a portion that becomes high temperature, for example, a portion that is cut off by the evaporation pipe 31.
[0026]
In order to further increase the amount of water that is the working liquid, a reserve tank may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, two types of spare tanks such as an upper spare tank 43 and a lower spare tank 45 can be connected. Of course, only one of them may be provided, or another spare tank may be added. Each spare tank includes an upper container 47 and an upper fixing screw 49 provided so as to penetrate the upper container 47, or a lower container 51 and a lower fixing screw 53 provided so as to penetrate the upper container 47. The upper reserve tank 43 and the lower reserve tank 45 are formed by screwing the tips of the fixing screws 49 and 53 into the upper water supply port 37 of the main body tank 33 and the inner edges 37a and 39a of the lower water supply port 39, for example. It can be freely attached to and detached from the tank 33 (torch body). When the spare tanks 43 and 45 are removed, as shown in partial enlarged views of a) and b) in FIG. 3, instead of the upper fixing screw 49 and the lower fixing screw 53 shown in FIG. The upper screw lid 55 and the lower screw lid 57 may be screwed into the upper and lower water supply ports 37 and 39. In particular, in the lower water supply port 39 shown in FIG. 3 b, the end 59 of the torch cover 35 in the grip portion 3 is open even after the lower screw lid 57 is screwed in. It is preferable to attach the lower closing lid 61 after screwing.
[0027]
Returning to FIG. 1 again, as is clear from FIG. 1, the inside of each fixing screw 49, 53 is formed in a well shape, and these fixing screws 49, 53 just penetrate the inside of the containers 47, 51. In the vicinity, holes 49a and 53a for taking in the working liquid in these containers are provided. When the fixing screws 49 and 53 are connected, the working liquid in the containers 47 and 51 is transferred to the built-in tank 33 through the holes 49a and 53a. By using the spare tanks 43 and 45, the amount of working liquid stored in the steam plasma torch 1 increases dramatically. In this embodiment, each of the spare tanks 43 and 45 is filled with the liquid absorbent material 41 in the same manner as the main body tank 33.
[0028]
Thus, according to the present invention, the amount of liquid stock in the built-in tank 33 can be increased, and further, when the spare tanks 43 and 45 are provided, the amount can be further increased dramatically. As a result, the working time per operation can be greatly extended. This effect is very important especially for portable plasma torches. Of course, as the working time is extended, the consumption of the cathode electrode material 13 increases, but this can be dealt with by making the thickness of the cathode electrode material 13 thicker than the conventional one. For example, the thickness of a conventional cathode electrode material is about 1 mm, but in the present invention, a thickened one is used. More specifically, the built-in tank according to the present invention uses not only the inside of the main body but also the inside of the gripping portion. Therefore, by increasing the diameter of the cathode holder 15, the internal tank can be used as a tank inside the main body. Even if the volume that can be used is reduced, a built-in tank of the same capacity can be provided by enlarging the gripping portion and increasing the volume that can be used as the tank inside. Accordingly, if the diameter of the cathode holder can be increased in this manner, the diameter of the cathode electrode material held therein can be increased accordingly.
[0029]
Further, in the present invention, since the amount of working liquid stock is increased by providing a main body tank 33 in the grip portion 3 in addition to the main body portion 2, a conventional plasma torch having a built-in tank only in the main body portion. As described above, it is not necessary to swell the main body 2 steadily. In relation to this, the inclination angle 65 (see FIG. 2) of the tip of the nozzle anode 11 for taking out the arc can be made smaller (pointed). As a result, it is possible to accurately and easily aim at the position where the arc is welded. More specifically, as described above, the built-in tank according to the present invention uses not only the inside of the main body but also the inside of the gripping portion, so that the diameter of the main body is reduced and elongated. By doing so, even if the volume that can be used as a tank inside the main body is reduced, it is possible to provide a built-in tank of the same capacity by increasing the gripping portion and increasing the volume that can be used as a tank inside the main body. Therefore, it is possible to make the main body portion longer than the conventional one and to improve the workability.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the amount of working liquid that can be stored in the steam plasma torch can be increased, and the working time that can be performed at one time can be extended without replenishing the working liquid. Further, the operability of the torch can be improved, and further, the problem of seizure between parts can be solved.
Further, according to the present invention, the reserve amount of the working liquid is detachably added to the main body portion of the steam plasma torch and the upper reserve tank is connected to the grip portion and the lower reserve tank is detachably added. It is possible to provide a plasma torch that is portable, can be operated for a long time, is simple, versatile, and is suitable for a narrow place. As a result, the plasma torch of the present invention can be used in, for example, a high place or a narrow place. It can be used in a very wide range of fields such as work, automobile maintenance factory, construction site, demolition site, university laboratory, fire department, rescue, small factory, disaster prevention, hobby, etc.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a steam plasma torch when upper and lower reserve tanks are installed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a state where a spare tank is removed.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steam plasma torch 2 Main part 3 Grasping part 11 Nozzle anode 13 Cathode electrode material 33 Built-in tank 43 Upper spare tank 45 Lower spare tank

Claims (8)

  A steam plasma torch of the type that generates a plasma arc by steam is provided with a main body portion having a nozzle for blowing and forming a plasma arc at the tip portion, and a gripping portion connected to the main body portion. A built-in tank for supplying is provided over both the main body and the grip, and an electrode material is held inside the main body so as to face the back of the nozzle. An electrode holder, a guide pipe that surrounds a space between the electrode material held by the electrode holder and the back of the nozzle, and an evaporation pipe that is behind the guide pipe and surrounds the electrode holder are provided. And the evaporation pipe transmits heat generated by the arc generated between the nozzle and the electrode material to the liquid in the built-in tank to generate steam. The guide pipe communicates with the built-in tank and the space so as to inject the generated steam into the space; and between the nozzle, the guide pipe, and the evaporation pipe. Is a steam plasma torch characterized by having means for preventing seizure to prevent seizure due to heating.   2. The steam plasma torch according to claim 1, wherein a spare tank for supplying a liquid for supplying steam can be detachably attached to the outside of the main body so as to communicate with the built-in tank.   The steam plasma torch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a spare tank for supplying a liquid for giving steam can be detachably attached to the outside of the gripping part so as to communicate with the built-in tank. .   The steam plasma torch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the tank is filled with a liquid absorbing material for absorbing the liquid.   5. The steam plasma torch according to claim 1, wherein the burn-in prevention means is provided by a thin film provided on a proximity surface between the nozzle, the induction tube, and the evaporation tube.   The steam plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the burn-in prevention means is provided by forming the nozzle, the induction tube, and the evaporation tube with different materials.   The steam plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the burn-in prevention means is provided by integrally forming the induction tube and the evaporation tube.   The steam plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a portion of the liquid absorbent material close to the evaporation tube is heat resistant.

Images