Power source cooling apparatus, method, and configuration
AssigneeThe ESAB Group, Inc.
InventorAndrew Raymond
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cooling component suitable for cooling an electrical component disposed in a power source of a welding or cutting system includes a heat transfer surface, an inlet, an outlet, and a closed flow area. The heat transfer surface transfers heat away from the electrical component. The inlet receives process gas from a gas source and the outlet directs the process gas downstream towards a torch assembly. The closed flow area extends between the inlet and the outlet and is in thermal communication with the heat transfer surface so that the process gas enhances cooling of the electrical component as the process gas travels through the closed flow area, from the inlet to the outlet.
Claims20
A cooling component suitable for cooling an electrical component disposed in a power source of a welding or cutting system, the cooling component comprising:
- a main body with a heat transfer surface for transferring heat away from an electrical component disposed in a power source of a welding or cutting system, the main body being disposed within and distinct from an enclosure of the power source of the welding or cutting system and defining:
- an inlet for receiving process gas from a gas source;
- an outlet that directs the process gas downstream towards a torch assembly;
- and
- a closed flow area extending between the inlet and the outlet within the main body, wherein the closed flow area is in thermal communication with the heat transfer surface so that the process gas enhances cooling of the electrical component as the process gas travels through the closed flow area, from the inlet to the outlet.
A power source for a welding or cutting system, comprising:
- an external housing;
- electrical components of the power source for the welding or cutting system disposed within the external housing of the power source for the welding or cutting system;
- and
- a cooling component that receives heat generated by at least one of the electrical components, the cooling component having a main body positioned within and distinct from the external housing comprising:
- an inlet for receiving process gas from a gas source;
- an outlet that directs the process gas downstream towards a torch assembly;
- and
- a closed flow area that direct the process gas from the inlet to the outlet so that the process gas enhances cooling of the at least one electrical component as the process gas travels through the closed flow area, from the inlet to the outlet.
A method of cooling components in a power source for a welding or cutting system, comprising:
- forming a gas flow passage through a main body of a heat transfer component disposed in and distinct from an enclosure of a power source for a welding or cutting system, the main body of the heat transfer component being in thermal connection with heated components in the power source for a welding or cutting system;
- and
- directing process gas through the flow passage as the process gas flows towards a torch assembly so that the heat transfer component transfers heat from the heated components to the process gas, heating the process gas and cooling the heated components, as the process gas flows towards the torch assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.