SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING PLASMA GAS FLOW IN A PLASMA ARC TORCH

摘要

A nozzle of a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle is configured to reduce fluid pressure surging in a nozzle plenum. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body having a proximal end and a distal end. The nozzle plenum is defined between the nozzle body and an electrode of the plasma arc torch. The nozzle includes a nozzle plenum gas inlet located at the proximal end of the nozzle body, a plasma gas exit orifice located at the distal end of the nozzle body, a plasma gas passageway fluidly connecting the nozzle plenum gas inlet to the plasma gas exit orifice, and an isolation chamber fluidly connected to the plasma gas passageway and the nozzle plenum. The isolation chamber is sized to receive a volume of substantially stagnant gas to reduce the fluid pressure surging in the nozzle plenum.