A Study on the Operating Characteristics of Commercial Frequency Plasma Jet Torch

상용 주파수 (60Hz) Plasma Jet Torch의 동작특성에 관한 연구

In order to develop the commercial frequency (60Hz) plasma torch of small capacity for material cutting, welding and other industrial heating, the A.C plasma jet generator of non-transfered type is made domestically and the electrode configurations of plasma torch are composed of two kinds of electrodes W-C and W-Cu, combined by thermal emission and field emission electrode materials. In this paper, the characteristics of input power, thermal efficiency, electrode consumption, the flame and forms of arc voltage and arc current for A.C plasma torch are investigated in relation to such variables as arc current, argon flow and magnetic field intensity to obtain the basic design data necessary to A.C plasma jet generator. The result are as follows; (1)The input power, thermal efficiency and electrode consumption are influenced greatly by argon flow, magnetic field intensity and nozzle materials. (2)A.C arc voltage and current are non-symmetrial, involving D.C Component. Due to this current of D.C Component, transformer core is saturated and a large abnormal current flows into the primary winding coil. In order to prevent this abnormal current flow, a condenser must be connected in series to the main discharge circuit. (3)The stability and sharpness of jet flame are improved more in the torch of W-C electrode configuration than in the torch of W-Cu electrode configuration.