Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TORCH HANDLE INCLUDING PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED JAW
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Patent Application
No. 15/426,598,
filed on February 7, 2017, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
Background
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a gouging torch. More
particularly, the
present disclosure relates to a gouging torch having a torch handle with a
pneumatically operated
jaw.
Discussion of Related Art
[0003] Air carbon-arc systems and processes may be used in a wide variety
of
applications, such as metal fabrication and casting finishing, chemical and
petroleum technology,
construction, mining, general repair, and maintenance. With respect to metal
fabrication and
casting finishing, air carbon-arc metal removing systems and processes may be
used to gouge,
groove, cut, or flush metal from a surface.
[0004] An air carbon-arc cutting and gouging torch may operate by
positioning an
electrode relative to a workpiece so that an electric arc can be struck and
maintained between the
electrode and the workpiece. As metal melts under the influence of the arc, a
stream of high-
pressure air directed along the electrode to the arc causes the molten metal
to be forcibly
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removed from the influence of the arc, thus leaving a groove or gouge in the
surface of the
workpiece. The process can also be used to cut completely through the
workpiece in the area
traversed by the electrode and the arc.
[0005] The electrodes of the gouging torch exhibit wear, however, and
must be
periodically replaced. Current art approaches use manual gouging torch levers
to open and close
a jaw of the torch for carbon electrode insertion and repositioning. This
leads to operator fatigue,
especially over a large number of cycles, as the hand gripping force necessary
on the gouging torch
lever may be significant.
Summary of the Disclosure
[0006] Exemplary approaches herein provide a torch handle including a
pneumatically
controlled jaw operable to engage an electrode. In one approach, a system is
provided for
distributing gas within the torch handle, the system including a pneumatic
cylinder disposed
within a main housing of the torch handle. The pneumatic cylinder may include
a piston coupled
to a shaft for actuating a first member of a jaw relative to a second member
of the jaw. The
system further includes a gas passageway through the main housing, the gas
passageway
including an exit orifice disposed within the second member of the jaw. A flow
controller is
operable to control a flow of gas and direct it to either the pneumatic
cylinder or the gas
passageway. In one approach, the first member is actuated towards the second
member when the
flow of gas is directed through the gas passageway, and actuated away from the
second member
when the flow of gas is directed to the pneumatic cylinder. By providing a
pneumatically
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assisted jaw, the hand gripping force typically required for operating the
gouging torch lever may
be greatly reduced.
[0007] An exemplary torch handle in accordance with the present
disclosure includes a
main housing, and a jaw coupled to the main housing, wherein the jaw includes
a first member
and a second member operable to engage an electrode. The torch handle further
includes a
pneumatic cylinder disposed within the main housing, wherein the pneumatic
cylinder is coupled
to an arm for actuating the first member relative to the second member. The
torch handle further
includes a gas passageway extending through the main housing to an exit
orifice disposed within
the second member, and a valve assembly including a first valve operable to
deliver a gas to the
pneumatic cylinder and a second valve operable to deliver the gas to the gas
passageway,
wherein the first and second valves are oriented substantially perpendicular
to one another.
[0008] An exemplary system for distributing gas within a torch handle in
accordance
with the present disclosure includes a pneumatic cylinder disposed within a
main housing, the
pneumatic cylinder including a shaft for actuating a first member of a jaw
relative to a second.
member of the jaw. The system further includes a gas passageway through the
main housing, the
gas passageway including an exit orifice disposed within the second member of
the jaw. The
system further includes a valve assembly including a first valve operable to
deliver a gas to the
pneumatic cylinder and a second valve operable to deliver the gas to the gas
passageway,
wherein the first and second valves are oriented substantially perpendicular
to one another.
[0009] An exemplary method for operating a torch handle in accordance
with the present
disclosure includes receiving a flow of a gas at a flow controller of a torch
handle, the flow
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controller including a valve assembly having first and second valves oriented
substantially
perpendicular to one another. The method further includes directing the gas to
either of the
following: a pneumatic cylinder disposed within a main housing of the torch
handle via the
second valve, wherein the pneumatic cylinder includes a shaft for actuating a
first member of a
jaw, and a gas passageway through the main housing via the first valve,
wherein the gas
passageway includes an exit orifice disposed within a second member of the
jaw. The method
further includes actuating the first member of the jaw relative to the second
member.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary approaches of the
disclosed
torch handle including a pneumatically operated jaw so far devised for the
practical application
of the principles thereof, and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a torch handle according to an
exemplary
approach;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an isometric partial cutaway view of the torch handle of
FIG. 1
according to an exemplary approach;
[0013] FIG. 3A is a side cutaway view of the torch handle of FIG. 1
according to an
exemplary approach;
[0014] FIG. 3B is a close-up side cutaway view of the torch handle of
FIG. 1 according
to an exemplary approach.
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[0015] FIG. 4 is an isometric semi-transparent view of a system for
distributing gas
within the torch handle of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary approach;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a valve of a flow controller within
the torch handle
of FIG. 1 according to exemplary approaches.
[0017] FIG. 6-A is an isometric partial cutaway view of the torch handle
of FIG. 1
according to an exemplary approach;
[0018] FIG. 6-B is a side cutaway view of the torch handle of FIG. 1
according to an
exemplary approach;
[0019] FIG. 7-A is a semitransparent, isometric partial cutaway view of
the torch handle
of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary approach;
[0020] FIG. 7-B is a semitransparent, side cutaway view of the torch
handle of FIG. 1
according to an exemplary approach; and.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of
operating a gouging
torch having a torch handle with a pneumatically operated jaw.
Description of Embodiments
[0022] The present disclosure will now proceed with reference to the
accompanying
drawings, in which various approaches are shown. It will be appreciated,
however; that the
disclosed torch handle may be embodied in many different forms and should not
be construed as
limited to the approaches set forth herein. Rather, these approaches are
provided so that this
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disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of
the disclosure to
those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0023] As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular
and proceeded with
the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural elements or
operations, unless
such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to "one
approach" of the present
disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of
additional approaches
that also incorporate the recited features.
[0024] Furthermore, spatially relative tei ins, such as "beneath,"
"below," "lower,"
"central," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of
describing one
element's relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the figures. It
will be understood
that the spatially relative tertns may encompass different orientations of the
device in use or
operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. I, a torch handle 10 of a gouging torch
according to
exemplary embodiments will be described in greater detail. As shown, the torch
handle 10
includes a main housing 14, which may include one or more pieces assembled
together and
suitably shaped to be held in a hand of an operator. The torch handle 10
further includes a jaw
22 coupled at a distal end 18 of the main housing 14. Although not shown, the
torch handle 10
includes a torch body disposed within the main housing 14 at a proximal end 20
thereof. In one
embodiment, the torch handle 10 and the jaw are made of a heat resistant
material such as a
glass-filled phenolic.
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[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the jaw 22 includes a first member 24
disposed
opposite a second member 26. Together the first member 24 and the second
member 26 may
operate to engage an electrode 30 therebetween. In exemplary embodiments, the
jaw 22 may be
user-controlled via a switch 34 that is partially recessed within an opening
38 of the main
housing 14. More specifically, the switch 34 may operate with a flow
controller within the main
housing 14 to provide pneumatically assisted user-control of the jaw 22, as
will be further
described below.
[0027] In exemplary embodiments, the first member 24 includes a
protrusion 32
configured to make contact with the electrode 30 when the jaw 22 is in a
closed position. The
second member 26 includes a nozzle 36 having a groove fol _________________
Hied therein to receive the electrode
30. The nozzle 36 may be free to move with the movement of electrode 30.
Nozzle 36 is
provided with a plurality of orifices 31 from which flows a high velocity gas
stream which
performs the cutting or gouging action. The pressure of gas required to
perform the work varies,
but usually this torch operates from a gas source having a pressure of from
about 80 to about 100
psi.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3B, the torch handle 10 according to
exemplary
embodiments will be described in greater detail. As shown, the torch handle 10
includes a
pneumatic cylinder 40 disposed within the main housing 14. The pneumatic
cylinder 40 includes
a shaft 42 coupled to an arm 44 at a first end, and to a piston 46 disposed
within a chamber 48 at
a second end. In exemplary embodiments, the piston 46 is configured to slide
within the
chamber 48 in response to a flow of gas through a pneumatic cylinder inlet 50.
The piston 46
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may include one or more 0-rings 53 extending around a circumference thereof to
create a seal
between the piston 46 and the walls of the chamber 48.
[0029] In various embodiments, the pneumatic cylinder 40 may differ in
appearance, size
and function depending upon the type of pneumatic cylinder employed. For
example, in one
embodiment, a single-acting cylinder (SAC) may use the pressure imparted by
compressed air to
create a driving force in one direction, while a spring is used to return the
piston 46 to its original
position. In another embodiment, a double-acting cylinder may use the force of
air to move the
piston 46 in both directions. The cylinder may have two ports to allow air
into the cylinder, one
for outstroke and one for instroke. In yet another embodiment, a multi-stage,
telescoping
cylinder, which may be either single or double-acting, incorporates a piston
rod nested within a
series of hollow stages of increasing diameter. Upon actuation, the piston rod
and each
succeeding stage "telescopes" out as a segmented piston. This allows for a
longer stroke than
would be achieved with a single-stage cylinder of the same collapsed length.
[0030] As further shown, the arm 44 includes one or more slots 52 for
slidably receiving
a radial pin 54 of the shall 42. In exemplary embodiments, the arm 44 includes
a first section 60
disposed within the main housing 14, and a second section 62 coupled to the
first member 24 of
the jaw 22. During operation, the arm 44 may pivot about a fulcrum 58 in
response to movement
of the radial pin 54 within the slot 52. For example, when the shaft 42 is
urged by the piston 46
towards the distal end 18 of the main housing 14, the radial pin 54 is
positioned at a top end the
slot 52, which causes the first section 60 of the arm 44 to move downward in a
direction
Generally transverse to the linear movement of the piston 46, and the second
section 62 of the
arm 44 to move upwards away from the electrode 30. Inversely, when the shaft
42 is retracted
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towards the proximal end 20 of the main housing 14, the radial pin 54 is
positioned at a bottom
end of the slot 52, which causes the first section 60 of the arm to move
upwards in the direction
generally transverse to the movement of the piston 46, and the second section
62 of the arm 44 to
move downward towards the electrode 30.
[0031] In one embodiment, the torch handle 10 further includes a spring
64 coupled to
the arm 44 of the first member 24. As shown, the spring 64 is oriented
generally perpendicular
to the movement of the piston 46, which causes the first section 60 of the arm
to be biased in the
direction generally transverse to the movement of the piston 46, and the
second section 62 of the
arm 44 to move towards the electrode 30. During use, the spring 64 applies a
light force to the
first member 24 sufficient enough to secure the electrode 30 between the
nozzle 36 and the
protrusion 32 when the jaw 22 is open.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-4, a system 66 for pneumatically
operating the jaw 22
by controlling distribution of a gas within the torch handle 10 according to
exemplary
embodiments will be described in greater detail. As shown, the system 66
includes the
pneumatic cylinder 40 and a gas passageway 68 through the main housing 14, the
gas
passageway 68 including one or more exit orifices 31 (FIG. 1) disposed within
the nozzle 36 of
the second member 26 of the jaw 22. During use, gas under pressure released
from exit orifices
31 passes alongside the electrode 30 to remove molten metal from the work
surface in the area of
the electric arc. In one embodiment, each orifice 31 is oriented parallel to
the electrode 30 to
maintain sufficient force and to effect the stream of gas acting on the work
surface.
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[0033] As shown, a supply of gas 72 for operating the torch handle 10 is
directed through
the main housing 14 and received at a gas inlet 74. The supply of gas 72 may
be compressed air,
which is delivered to a flow controller 78 for further distribution within the
torch handle 10. In
an exemplary embodiment, the flow controller 78 is a valve assembly 79
including a first valve
82 and a second valve 84, wherein the first valve 82 is disposed within a
valve chamber 81 and
configured to direct a gas flow 73 to the pneumatic cylinder inlet 50 via the
first valve 82, or to
the gas passageway 68 via the second valve 84 in response to a desired torch
operational mode
(e.g., "gouging" or "release") selectable via the switch 34. In one
embodiment, the torch handle
may also include an "OFF" mode that shuts off the supply of gas 72.
[0034] In one embodiment, in the case that the gouging mode is selected,
the gas flow 73
may be directed through the gas passageway 68, which decreases or maintains a
relatively lower
pressure within the chamber 48, and which slides the piston 46 towards the
proximal end 20 of
the torch handle 10, thus actuating the first member 24 of the jaw 22 towards
the second member
26. In the case that the release mode is selected, the flow controller 78 may
divert the gas flow
73 to the pneumatic cylinder 40, which directs the gas flow 73 to the chamber
48. A resultant
pressure increase within the chamber 48 actuates the piston 46 towards the
distal end 18 of the
torch handle 10, which causes the first member 24 to move away from the second
member 26.
[0035] In some embodiments, the first valve 82 and the second valve 84 of
the valve
assembly 79 are oriented perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to one
another. That is, a
lengthwise central longitudinal axis 57 of the first valve 82 may be
perpendicular to a lengthwise
central longitudinal axis 59 of the second valve 84. As shown, the lengthwise
central
longitudinal axis 57 is generally perpendicular to a lengthwise axis (not
shown) of the torch
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handle 10. By orienting one of the first valve 82 on its side relative to the
second valve 84, the
first valve 82 may be made larger, which improves performance of the torch
handle 10 by
increasing gas flow through the gas passageway 68. A larger valve oriented
parallel to the
lengthwise central longitudinal axis 59 of the second valve 84 may be
impractical due to
constraints on operator preferred handle size. In some embodiments, the first
valve 82 has a
length and a circumference that is greater than a length and a circumference
of the second valve
84. The valve assembly 79 may include a greater or fewer number of valves. For
example,
multiple valves may be substituted for the first valve 82 in alternative
designs.
[0036] In some embodiments, the switch 34 may be a rocker switch
including a main
body 33 and a lever arm 35 extending from the main body 33, the lever arm 35
for
controlling/operating each of the first and second valves 82, 84 of the valve
assembly 79. As
best shown in FIG. 3B, the main body 33 may extend outside of the main housing
14 of the
torch handle 10 for access by a user, while the lever arm 35 extends into the
torch handle, for
example, perpendicular to the main body 33. The main body 33 may include a
first end 37 and a
second end 39, wherein the first or second ends 37, 39 may be depressed to
cause the main body
33 to pivot about a pin 41, controlling the gas flow 73. In some embodiments,
the pin 41 may be
suspended or supported by a switch support 43.
[0037] The switch 34 may further include a cantilever arm 45 coupled to
the main
housing and in direct physical contact with a stem 100-A of second valve 84.
The cantilever arm
45 is further coupled to a first side of the lever arm 35. A second side of
the lever arm 35 is
coupled to a stem 100-B of the first valve 82. During use, when the second end
39 of the switch
34 is depressed into a first cavity 47, the lever arm 35 rotates towards the
stem 100-B of the first
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valve 82 and away from the cantilever arm 45. The lever aim 35 may bias the
stem 100-B
towards the proximal end 20 and into the first valve 82, as will be described
in greater detail
below. Inversely, when the first end 37 of the switch 34 is depressed into a
second cavity 49, the
lever arm 35 rotates towards the cantilever arm 45. A force applied to the
free end of cantilever
arm 45 causes the cantilever arm 45 to rotate and bias against the stem 100-A
of the second valve
84, causing the stem 100-A to depress within the second valve 84, as will be
described in greater
detail below. A stem spring 51 may surround the stem 100-A of the second valve
84 to apply a
spring force against the cantilever arm 45.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 5, operation of the first valve 82 and the
second valve 84
of the valve assembly 79 according to an exemplary embodiment will be
described in greater
detail. For the sake of simplicity, only the second valve 84 is shown.
However, it'll be
appreciated that the first valve 82 may operate with similar elements and in a
similar way. In
this embodiment, the second valve 84 represents a normally closed 3-way
cartridge valve having
a base section 86 including an inlet 87 at a first end 89 thereof, and a
central section 88 separated
from the base section 86 by an 0-ring 90. As shown, the central section 88
includes a conduit 94
formed therethrough. In exemplary embodiments, the central section 88 and the
conduit 94 are
aligned with the pneumatic cylinder inlet 50 (nGs. 3A-B). The second valve 84
further
includes an upper section 96 separated from the central section 88 by an 0-
ring 98, and a stem
100-A disposed at a second end 101 thereof In exemplary embodiments, the stem
100-A is
configured to change a gas flow path when depressed and/or released. As shown,
the stem 100-
A may include an exhaust 102 for dispelling high pressure gas from the stem
100-A.
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[0039] In exemplary embodiments, as described above, the switch 34 causes
the
cantilever arm 45 to engage the stem 100-A so as to cause the stem 100-A to be
recessed to a
desired depth within the second valve 84. For example, in the case that the
second valve 84 is a
three-position valve, the switch 34 may recess the stem 100-A a distance DI
relative to a top
surface 91 of the upper section 96. In this first position, a passage (not
shown) of the stem 100
aligns with the conduit 94 in the central section 88 of the first valve 82, 84
to expel gas radially
therefrom. In another position, the switch 34 may recess the stem 100-A a
distance D2 relative
to the top surface 91 of the upper section 96 such that the exhaust 102 is
recessed within the first
valve 82 proximate the upper section 96 to prevent fluid flow from the exhaust
102 and to cause
the passage of the stem to be misaligned with the conduit 94. In this
position, gas within the
second valve 84 is prevented from being released via the exhaust 102 and/or
the conduit 94.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-B, further operation of the valve
assembly 79
according to exemplary embodiments will be described in greater detail. As
shown, the valve
assembly 79 includes the second valve 84 configured to receive the supply of
gas 72 through the
gas inlet 74 and deliver it to the chamber 48 via the pneumatic cylinder inlet
50 for the purpose
of changing the relative positions of the first and second members of the jaw
22, as described
above. In this embodiment, the supply of gas 72 passes through the gas inlet
74 and surrounds
the base section 86-A of the second valve 84. To prevent gas from moving along
an exterior
surface of the second valve 82 toward the central section 88-A, the 0-ring 90-
A is provided. As
shown, the 0-ring 90-A forms a seal with an interior wall of a valve chamber
83. The gas is thus
directed to the inlet 87 (FIG. 5) where, depending on the position of the stem
100-A, it may be
directed through the conduit 94-A, and then through the pneumatic cylinder
inlet 50. In the case
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that the gas is prevented from being expelled through the conduit 94-A, the
gas is re-directed
along the exterior of the base section 86-A towards the first valve 82.
100411 During operation, to direct the gas to the chamber 48, the stem
100-A is depressed
relative to the top surface 91-A of the first valve 82, and an opening (not
shown) along the stem
100-A aligns with the conduit 94-A. The gas traverses an interior conduit (not
shown) within the
stern 100-A where it is expelled radially through the conduit 94-A. The gas
surrounds the central
section 88-A of the second valve 84, where it is confined by the lower 0-ring
90-A, the upper 0-
ring 98-A, and the valve chamber 83. The gas may then enter the pneumatic
cylinder inlet 50,
where it is delivered to the chamber 48. The resultant pressure increase
within the chamber 48
caused by the flow of gas actuates the piston 46 in a linear direction away
from the second valve
84, which causes the first member of the jaw to move away from the second
member of the jaw,
for example, to allow for repositioning or replacement of the electrode
between gouging
operations.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 7A-B, operation of the valve assembly 79
will be
described in greater detail. As shown, the valve assembly 79 includes the
first valve 82
configured to receive the supply of gas 72 through the gas inlet 74 and
deliver it to the gas
passageway 68 for the purpose of providing gas to the nozzle 36 (FIGS. 1-3),
as described
above. More specifically, gas is directed through the gas inlet 74 towards the
valve chamber 81
where it surrounds the base section 86-B of the first valve 82. The 0-ring 90-
B forms a seal with
a wall of the valve chamber 81 that extends around the circumference of the
first valve 82 to
prevent the supply of gas from flowing along the exterior of the first valve
82 toward the central
section 88-B. The gas may thus enter the inlet 87 (FIG. 5) where, depending on
the position of
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the stem 100-B, it may be directed through the conduit 94-B. In the case that
the gas is
prevented from being expelled through the conduit 94-B, the gas is re-directed
along the exterior
of the base section 86-B towards the second valve 84.
[0043] To direct the gas to the gas passageway 68, the stem 100-B is
depressed relative
to the top surface 91-B of the first valve 82, and an opening (not shown)
along the stern 100-B
aligns with the conduit 94-B. The gas traverses an interior conduit (not
shown) of the stem 100-
B where it is expelled radially through the conduit 94-B. The gas thus
surrounds the central
section 88-B of the first valve 82 where it is confined by the lower 0-ring 90-
B, the upper 0-ring
98-B, and the valve chamber 81. The gas may then enter an interior conduit 108
of the gas
passageway 68 where it is delivered to the nozzle 36 (FIGS. 1-3). In exemplary
embodiments,
pressure within the gas passageway 68 increases due to the flow of the gas,
which causes a
resultant pressure decrease within the chamber 48 of the pneumatic cylinder
40. This decrease in
pressure allows the piston 46 to actuate within the chamber 48 in a direction
towards the second
valve 84, which causes the first member of the jaw to move towards the second
member of the
jaw.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 8, a method 200 for operating a torch handle
according to
exemplary embodiments will be described in greater detail. Method 200 includes
receiving a
flow of a gas at a flow controller of the torch handle, as shown at block 201.
In some
embodiments, the gas may be compressed air, which is provided to the flow
controller via a gas
inlet of the torch handle. In some embodiments, the flow controller is a valve
assembly
including first and second valves. In some embodiments, the first and second
valves are oriented
perpendicular to one another.
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[0045] The method 200 further includes directing a flow of the gas to
either a pneumatic
cylinder disposed within a main housing via a second cylinder, or a gas
passageway via a first
cylinder, as shown at block 203. In some embodiments, the pneumatic cylinder
includes a piston
have a shaft configured to actuate a first member of a jaw. In some
embodiments, the gas
passageway extends through the main housing to an exit orifice disposed within
a second
member of the jaw. In some embodiments, a switch is coupled to the flow
controller for
allowing user-operation of the flow controller. In some embodiments, the shaft
of the piston is
coupled to an arm, which is partially disposed within the first member and
configured to actuate
the first member.
[0046] The method 200 further includes actuating the first member of the
jaw relative to
the second member of the jaw in response to the flow of the gas, as shown in
block 205. In some
embodiments, the first member is actuated towards the second member when the
flow of gas is
directed through the gas passageway, and actuated away from the second member
when the flow
of gas is directed to the pneumatic cylinder.
[0047] As will be appreciated, it is advantageous to replace a manual
lever with a
pneumatic cylinder and valve assembly, as described herein, to aid the opening
and closing of the
torch jaw for carbon electrode insertion and repositioning. Furthermore, as
compressed air flows to
the nozzle during a gouging process, it is advantageous to include a valve
assembly, as described
herein, for diverting the compressed air to the pneumatic cylinder to open the
jaw. It will be further
appreciated that use of the valve assembly and pneumatic cylinder in place of
a manual level
advantageously allows for a reduction in handle diameter, which improves user
ergonomics and
reduces user fatigue.
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[0048] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to
certain
approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the described
approaches are
possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present
disclosure, as defined in the
appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not
be limited to the
described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language
of the following
claims, and equivalents thereof While the disclosure has been described with
reference to
certain approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the
described approaches
are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as
defined in the
appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not
be limited to the
described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language
of the following
claims, and equivalents thereof.
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