Systems and methods to have multiple welding-type power supplies concurrently set up
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsBeau Gellings, Luke Brosco, Manny Rumao, Dan Helein, Veronika Pashkina
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Example systems to enable multiple welding-type power supplies to be concurrently set up for operation on a same workpiece include: a work lead splitter configured to couple respective work lead terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same work clamp; and a power splitter configured to couple respective input power terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same source of input power.
Claims13
A system to enable multiple welding-type power supplies to be concurrently set up for operation on a same workpiece, the system comprising:
- a work lead splitter configured to couple respective work lead terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same work clamp, the work lead splitter comprising a first work connector configured to connect to a first one of the work lead terminals on a first housing of a first one of the multiple welding-type power supplies directly or via a first cable, and a second work connector configured to connect to a second one of the work lead terminals on a second housing of a second one of the multiple welding-type power supplies via a second cable;
- and
- a power splitter configured to couple respective input power terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same source of input power.
A system to enable multiple welding-type power supplies to be concurrently set up for operation on a same workpiece, the system comprising:
- a work lead splitter configured to couple respective work lead terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same work clamp;
- and
- a power splitter configured to couple respective input power terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same source of input power, wherein the power splitter comprises:
- a first power connector configured to be coupled to a first input power terminal of a first one of the multiple welding-type power supplies;
- a second power connector configured to be coupled to a second input power terminal of a second one of the multiple welding-type power supplies;
- a circuit breaker configured to disconnect at least one of the first power connector and the second power connector from the same source of input power in response to an input current to the power splitter exceeding a threshold current;
- and
- an indicator configured to provide at least one of an audio indication or a visual indication that the circuit breaker has disconnected at least one of the first power connector and the second power connector from the same source of input power.
A system to enable multiple welding-type power supplies to be concurrently set up for operation on a same workpiece, the system comprising:
- a work lead splitter configured to couple respective work lead terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same work clamp;
- and
- a power splitter configured to couple respective input power terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same source of input power, wherein the power splitter comprises:
- a first power connector configured to be coupled to a first input power terminal of a first one of the multiple welding-type power supplies;
- a second power connector configured to be coupled to a second input power terminal of a second one of the multiple welding-type power supplies;
- and
- interlock circuitry configured to prevent transmission of sufficient power to sustain a welding-type process to the second power connector while at least a threshold current is being transmitted via the first power connector.
A system to enable multiple welding-type power supplies to be concurrently set up for operation on a same workpiece, the system comprising:
- a work lead splitter configured to couple respective work lead terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same work clamp;
- and
- a power splitter configured to couple respective input power terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same source of input power, wherein the power splitter comprises one or more mounting features configured to physically mount the power splitter to at least one of a cart or one of the multiple welding-type power supplies.
A system to enable multiple welding-type power supplies to be concurrently set up for operation on a same workpiece, the system comprising:
- a work lead splitter configured to couple respective work lead terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same work clamp;
- and
- a power splitter configured to couple respective input power terminals of the multiple welding-type power supplies to a same source of input power, wherein the power splitter comprises:
- a first power connector configured to be coupled to a first input power terminal of a first one of the multiple welding-type power supplies;
- a second power connector configured to be coupled to a second input power terminal of a second one of the multiple welding-type power supplies;
- current sensors configured to monitor an output via each of the first power connector and the second power connector;
- and
- control circuitry configured to track usage time for each of the first power connector and the second power connector based on the current sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.