Plasma arc torch with secondary starting circuit and electrode

1. A plasma arc torch comprising:

a main power circuit for applying a voltage across an electrode disposed within the plasma arc torch, the electrode adapted for electrical connection to a cathodic side of a power supply;

a tip positioned distally from the electrode and adapted for electrical connection to an anodic side of the power supply during piloting, a plasma chamber being formed between the electrode and the tip;

a third element disposed near a proximal end of the plasma chamber, wherein the third element comprises:

a plurality electrically of conductive extensions extending between a first electrically conductive ring and a second electrically conductive ring, the first electrically conductive ring disposed towards a distal end of the third element; and

a secondary power circuit disposed proximate the plasma arc torch and in electrical communication with the third element, the secondary power circuit configured to generate a high voltage pulse on the third element using input to the secondary power circuit to initiate a first arc to start the plasma arc torch.

2. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 further comprising a gas distributor disposed between the electrode and the tip and forming a plasma chamber therebetween, wherein the third element comprises a conductive element disposed within the plasma arc torch and a conductive insert extending through the gas distributor and into the plasma chamber.

3. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 , wherein the first conductive ring and the second conductive ring are spring elements.

4. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary power circuit is disposed within the plasma arc torch.

5. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary power circuit is disposed within a torch head of the plasma arc torch.

6. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 , wherein the plasma arc torch is high frequency start.

7. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary power circuit has a relatively low power of about 0.05 joules.

8. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary power circuit is automatically energized when an open circuit voltage is detected in the power supply.

9. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary power circuit is energized by a signal from a controller.

10. The plasma arc torch according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary power circuit comprises a capacitor and resistor in parallel with a transformer, wherein transformer is in electrical communication with the third element.

11. A system for initiating a first arc in a plasma arc torch, the plasma arc torch having an electrode and a tip electrically connected to a power supply and configured to ionize a gas to generate a plasma stream, the system comprising:

a third element comprising:

a plurality of electrically conductive extensions extending between a first electrically conductive ring and a second electrically conductive ring, the first electrically conductive ring disposed towards a distal end of the third element; and

a secondary power circuit, separate from a main power circuit, disposed proximate the plasma arc torch and in electrical communication with the third element, the secondary power circuit configured to generate a high voltage pulse on the third element using open circuit voltage of the power supply to initiate a first arc to start the plasma arc torch.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the third element comprises a conductive element disposed within the plasma arc torch and a conductive insert extending through the gas distributor and into the plasma chamber.

13. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the secondary power circuit is disposed within the plasma arc torch.

14. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the secondary power circuit is disposed within a torch head of the plasma arc torch.

15. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the third element is disposed near a proximal end of a plasma chamber formed between the electrode and the tip.

16. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the secondary power circuit is remotely controlled.

17. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the secondary power circuit is automatically energized when an open circuit voltage is detected in the power supply.

18. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the secondary power circuit is energized by a signal from a controller.

19. A method of initiating a first arc in a plasma arc torch comprising: generating a high voltage pulse on a third element using a secondary power circuit in electrical communication with the third element, the secondary power circuit being separate from a main power circuit and a power supply that sends electrical current to an electrode and tip of the plasma arc torch, the third element comprising a plurality of electrically conductive extensions extending between a first electrically conductive ring and a second electrically conductive ring, the first electrically conductive ring disposed towards a distal end of the third element.

20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the secondary power circuit is automatically energized when an open circuit voltage is detected in the power supply.

21. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the secondary power circuit is energized by a signal from a controller.