Electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch and contact start plasma arc torch employing such electrodes

1. A component for a contact start plasma arc torch, the component comprising:

a hollow body defining a channel with a longitudinal axis, the channel capable of slideably receiving an electrode body along the longitudinal axis; and

a contact element disposed in the hollow body and includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facilitating electrical communication with a power supply and the second surface physically contacting a surface of the electrode body when the plasma arc torch is operated in a transferred arc mode, wherein the second surface is characterized by the absence of physical contact with the surface of the electrode body when the torch is operated in a pilot arc mode.

2. The component of claim 1 further comprising a swirl ring portion defining an exterior portion, an interior portion and one or more holes passing from the exterior portion to the interior portion for imparting a swirling motion to a fluid.

3. The component of claim 2 , wherein the swirl ring portion is formed integrally with the hollow body.

4. The component of claim 1 wherein the hollow body comprises a swirl ring portion.

5. The component of claim 1 further comprising a resilient element contacting the electrode body when the electrode body is inserted into the channel, wherein the resilient element is configured to impart a separation force upon the electrode body.

6. The component of claim 5 wherein the resilient element is secured to the channel by a diametral interference fit.

7. The component of claim 5 wherein the resilient element is coupled to the contact element.

8. The component of claim 1 wherein the contact element is stationary.

9. The component of claim 1 wherein the channel comprises a shoulder for retraining a longitudinal movement of the contact element.

10. The component of claim 1 wherein an interior surface of the channel comprises an insulating material.

11. The component of claim 1 further comprising a power contact in electrical communication with the power supply and the first surface of the contact element.

12. A component for a contact start plasma arc torch, the component comprising:

a hollow body defining a channel with a longitudinal axis, the channel capable of slideably receiving an electrode body along the longitudinal axis;

a first contact element disposed in the hollow body and including a first contact element surface and a second contact element surface, the first contact element surface facilitating electrical communication with a power supply; and

a supplemental contact element disposed in the hollow body and including a first supplemental contact element surface and a second supplemental contact element surface, the first supplemental contact element surface physically contacting the second contact element surface and the second supplemental contact element surface physically contacting a surface of the electrode body when the plasma arc torch is operated in a transferred arc mode.

13. The component of claim 12 further comprising a swirl ring portion defining an exterior portion, an interior portion and one or more holes passing from the exterior portion to the interior portion for imparting a swirling motion to a fluid.

14. The component of claim 13 , wherein the swirl ring portion is formed integrally with the hollow body.

15. The component of claim 12 further comprising a resilient element disposed between the second contact element surface and the first supplemental contact element surface in the channel, wherein the resilient element is configured to impart a separation force upon the supplemental contact element.

16. The component of claim 15 wherein the resilient element is secured to the channel by a diametral interference fit.

17. The component of claim 15 wherein the resilient element is coupled to at least one of the first contact element or the supplemental contact element.

18. The component of claim 12 wherein the first contact element is stationary.

19. The component of claim 12 wherein the supplemental contact element is translatable relative to the first contact element.

20. The component of claim 12 wherein an interior surface of the channel comprises an insulating material.

21. The component of claim 12 further comprising a power contact in electrical communication with the power supply and the first contact element surface of the first contact element.

22. An assembly for a contact start plasma arc torch, the assembly comprising:

a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis, the hollow body capable of slideably receiving an electrode body along the longitudinal axis;

a contact element disposed in the hollow body and including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface capable of facilitating electrical communication with a power supply; and

a resilient element connected to the contact element in the hollow body, the resilient element physically contacting the electrode body and imparting a separation force upon a surface of the electrode body when the electrode body is inserted into the hollow body, the resilient element configured to pass substantially all of a pilot arc current to the electrode body when the torch is operated in a pilot arc mode.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the resilient element comprises a spring and a separate contact surface.

24. The assembly of claim 22 further comprising a conductive element for passing substantially all of a pilot arc current to the electrode body when the torch is operated in a pilot arc mode.

25. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the assembly is a consumable component of the plasma arc torch.

26. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the assembly further includes a nozzle, a shield, a swirl ring or a retaining cap, or a combination thereof.

27. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the resilient element is in physical contact with the contact element.

28. The assembly of claim 23 , wherein the separate contact surface comprises a washer-like plate.