ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCYALTR............................JDIM350 (Ver 2.1 Jan 2001) 1620000/01202614EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATIONA320040623EP01308236.72001092720011018EnEnEn69496220001024US83569820010416US20040623200426200205022002187 7H 05H 1/34 AdeElektrode mit hartgelötetem AbscheiderenElectrode with brazed separator and method of making samefrElectrode avec séparateur brasé et son procédé de réalisation1The Esab Group, Inc.03228050DCM/JMP/P11791EEsab Group, Inc., The411 South Ebenezer Road, P.O. Box 100545Florence, South Carolina 29501USQuian, Ding340 West Bury LaneAlpharetta, Georgia 30005USTurner, Tommie Zack4804 Hoffmeyer RoadDarlington, South Carolina 29532USLynch, Rue Allen716 Howe Springs RoadFlorence, South Carolina 29501USStokes, Larry Wade4720 Jordan CircleTimmonsville, South Carolina 29161USMacDougall, Donald Carmichaelet al00033372Cruikshank & Fairweather 19 Royal Exchange SquareGlasgow G1 3AE, ScotlandGBATBECHCYDEDKESFIFRGBGRIEITLILUMCNLPTSETRALLTLVMKROSI20040623200426

An electrode for a plasma arc torch and method of fabricating the same are disclosed, and wherein the electrode comprises a copper holder defining two coaxial cavities. An emissive element is secured to one of the cavities and serves as the cathode terminal for the arc during operation. A relatively non-emissive separator is disposed about the emissive element within the other cavity, and acts to separate the copper holder and the emissive element, as well as resisting detachment of the arc from the emissive element and attachment to the copper holder.