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US 12,502,646 B2Granted
Mixing fluids in welding-type equipment
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorMichael Vincent Hoeger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to mixing fluids in welding-type equipment. In some examples, a welding-type power supply (and/or wire feeder) may include multiple fluid paths through which to provide fluid from multiple fluid reservoirs to multiple welding-type tools. The power supply may be configured to automatically control fluid flow rates through the fluid paths via proportional valves. Further, the welding-type power supply may be configured to allow and/or prohibit mixing of fluids from different flow paths via control of various valves.
Claims20
A welding-type system, comprising:
- welding-type equipment, comprising:
- a first fluid inlet configured for fluid connection with a first fluid reservoir, the first fluid inlet being connected to a first fluid path of the welding-type equipment,
- a first fluid outlet configured for fluid connection with a first welding tool, the first fluid inlet being fluidly connected with the first fluid outlet through the first fluid path,
- a second fluid inlet configured for fluid connection with a second fluid reservoir,
- a second fluid outlet configured for fluid connection with a second welding tool, the second fluid outlet being fluidly connected with the second fluid inlet through a second fluid path,
- a first valve having a first valve passage interposed in the first fluid path,
- a second valve having a second valve passage interposed in the second fluid path between the second fluid inlet and second fluid outlet,
- a third valve in fluid communication with the first fluid path and second fluid path, the third valve connecting to the second fluid path between the second fluid outlet and the second valve, the third valve connecting to the first fluid path between the first valve and the first outlet, and the first valve being interposed in the first fluid path between the first fluid inlet and the third valve,
- a fourth valve having a fourth valve passage interposed in the second fluid path between the second fluid outlet and third valve,
- an equipment specific device, comprising:
- power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type output power and deliver the welding-type output power to the second welding tool, or
- a feed roller configured to feed welding wire to the second welding tool, and
- control circuitry configured to selectively control the first valve and the second valve to provide a mixture of fluids from the first and second fluid reservoirs to the second welding tool, via the second fluid outlet.
10 more elements
A welding-type power supply, comprising:
- a first fluid inlet configured for fluid connection with a first fluid reservoir, the first fluid inlet being connected to a first fluid path of the welding-type power supply;
- a second fluid inlet configured for fluid connection with a second fluid reservoir;
- a second fluid outlet configured for fluid connection with a second welding tool, the second fluid outlet being fluidly connected with the second fluid inlet through a second fluid path;
- a first valve having a first valve passage interposed in the first fluid path;
- a second valve having a second valve passage interposed in the second fluid path between the second fluid inlet and second fluid outlet;
- a third valve in fluid communication with the first fluid path and second fluid path, the third valve connecting to the second fluid path between the second fluid outlet and the second valve, the third valve connecting to the first fluid path between the first valve and the first outlet, and the first valve being interposed in the first fluid path between the first fluid inlet and the third valve,
- a fourth valve having a fourth valve passage interposed in the second fluid path between the second fluid outlet and third valve;
- power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type output power and deliver the welding-type output power to the welding tool;
- and
- control circuitry configured to selectively control the first valve and the second valve to provide a mixture of fluids from the first and second fluid reservoirs to the second welding tool, via the second fluid outlet.
7 more elements
A welding wire feeder, comprising:
- a first fluid inlet configured for fluid connection with a first fluid reservoir, the first fluid inlet being connected to a first fluid path of the welding-type power supply;
- a first fluid outlet configured for fluid connection with a first welding tool, the first fluid inlet being fluidly connected with the first fluid outlet through the first fluid path;
- a second fluid inlet configured for fluid connection with a second fluid reservoir;
- a second fluid outlet configured for fluid connection with a second welding tool, the second fluid outlet being fluidly connected with the second fluid inlet through a second fluid path;
- a first valve having a first valve passage interposed in the first fluid path;
- a second valve having a second valve passage interposed in the second fluid path between the second fluid inlet and second fluid outlet;
- a third valve in fluid communication with the first fluid path and second fluid path, the third valve connecting to the second fluid path between the second fluid outlet and the second valve, the third valve connecting to the first fluid path between the first valve and the first outlet, and the first valve being interposed in the first fluid path between the first fluid inlet and the third valve;
- a fourth valve having a fourth valve passage interposed in the second fluid path between the second fluid outlet and the third valve;
- a feed roller configured to feed welding wire to the welding tool;
- and
- control circuitry configured to selectively control the first valve and the second valve to provide a mixture of fluids from the first and second fluid reservoirs to the second welding tool, via the second fluid outlet.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.