Methods and apparatus for hybrid-diesel engine block heater

A welding-type power system, comprising:

• an engine configured to generate a first power output and comprising an engine block, wherein the engine block includes a metal block containing one or more cylinders of the engine;
• an energy storage device configured to generate a second power output;
• a hybrid welder configured to receive the first power output from the engine and the second power output from the energy storage device;
• a heating element configured to receive power from the engine and the energy storage device;
• one or more first sensors configured to monitor a measured environmental temperature;
• one or more second sensors configured to monitor a measured energy level of the energy storage device;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• compile first historical data of the measured environmental temperature, second historical data of an energy level of the energy storage device, and third historical data of a plurality of discharge events of the energy storage device based on data from the one or more first and second sensors over time;
• build an environmental temperature operational profile based on the first historical data of the measured environmental temperature;
• build an energy storage operational profile based on the second historical data of the energy level;
• build an energy discharge operational profile based on the third historical data of the plurality of discharge events;
• generate a control signal based on the environmental temperature operational profile and the measured environmental temperature;
• control the energy storage device to provide a power output to the heating element in thermal communication with the engine block based on the control signal;
• control the energy storage device to provide the power output to the heating element in response to the measured environmental temperature falling below a first threshold temperature;
• determine a first threshold energy level based on the environmental temperature operational profile and the energy storage operational profile;
• determine a second threshold energy level based on the environmental temperature operational profile, the energy storage operational profile, and the energy discharge operational profile;
• monitor the measured energy level of the energy storage device;
• control the engine to generate the first power output to recharge the energy storage device in response to the energy storage level falling below the second threshold energy level;
• and
• end provision of the power output to the heating element in response to the energy level falling below the first threshold energy level.

A welding-type power system, comprising:

• an engine comprising a metal engine block containing one or more cylinders of the engine and configured to drive an electric generator to provide a first power output;
• an energy storage device to provide a second power output;
• a heating element in thermal communication with the engine block and configured to receive the second power output from the energy storage device;
• a first sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the engine;
• a second sensor configured to monitor an energy level of the energy storage device;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• receive the temperature from the first sensor and the energy level from the second sensor;
• compile first historical data of the temperature of the engine over time;
• compile second historical data of the energy level of the energy storage device over time;
• build an operational profile based on the first historical data and the second historical data;
• compare the energy level to one or more threshold energy levels;
• activate the engine to provide the first power output to the energy storage device in response to the energy level falling below a first threshold energy level of the one or more threshold energy levels, wherein the first threshold energy level is at least one of:
• an energy level below which the energy storage device would provide degraded performance;
• or
• an energy level below which the energy storage device would risk damage;
• generate a control signal based on the operational profile;
• and
• control the energy storage device to provide the second power output to the heating element based on the control signal.