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US 12,005,533 B2Granted
Systems and methods for automatic range control
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorNathan Joe Jochman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An output control for a welding-type power supply includes a first contactor associated with a first weld output range. A second contactor associated with a second weld output range. An input device configured to select a weld output value from the first weld output range and the second weld output range. A control circuit configured to control the first contactor and the second contactor based on a selected weld output value, and adjust a weld output based on the selected weld output value of the input device.
Claims19
An output control for a welding-type power supply comprising:
- a reactor comprising a winding having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of turns between the first end and the second end;
- a first contactor associated with a first weld output range configured to tap into the reactor at a first position of the winding to define a first set of turns between the first end and the first position;
- a second contactor associated with a second weld output range configured to tap into the reactor at a second position of the winding to define a second set of turns between the first end and the second position,
- wherein the second set of turns includes the first set of turns, and
- wherein the first weld output range overlaps with the second weld output range to define a transition range;
- an input device comprising a single knob configured to select a weld output value from the first weld output range and the second weld output range;
- and
- a control circuit configured to:
- control each of the first contactor and the second contactor automatically based on a selected weld output value from the single knob;
- determine whether the weld output value corresponds to the first weld output range or the second weld output range to yield determined weld output range;
- and
- adjust a weld output within the determined weld output range by adjusting a field current thereof to achieve the selected weld output value of the input device.
9 more elements
An output control for a welding-type power supply comprising:
- a reactor comprising a winding having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of turns between the first end and the second end;
- a first contactor associated with a first welding current range and configured to tap into the reactor at a first position of the winding to define a first set of turns between the first end and the first position;
- a second contactor associated with a second welding current range and configured to tap into the reactor at a second position of the winding to define a second set of turns between the first end and the second position,
- wherein the second set of turns includes the first set of turns, and
- wherein the first welding current range overlaps the second welding current to define a transition range;
- an input device comprising a single knob configured to select a weld output value from the first welding current range and the second welding current range;
- and
- a control circuit configured to:
- control each of the first contactor and the second contactor automatically based on a selected weld output value from the single knob;
- determine whether the weld output value corresponds to the first weld output range or the second weld output range;
- transition between the first contactor and the second contactor at the transition range when the output value corresponds to the second weld output range;
- adjust a field current associated with the second weld output range during said transition between the first contactor and the second contactor at the transition range;
- and
- adjust a weld output based on the selected weld output value of the input device.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.