Inline spark gap assembly
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsJustin Paquette, Jeffery Gadamus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spark gap point and spark gap assembly for a welding-type device are disclosed for igniting and stabilizing a welding-type arc. A double-headed spark gap point having spark gap surfaces on two ends is incorporated into a spark gap assembly with a pair of single-headed spark gap points that each have only a single spark gap surface. All spark gap points are arranged coaxially on a base so that each spark gap surface faces another spark gap surface. A spark gap is created between each set of opposing spark gap surfaces. When a high voltage is applied across the spark gap points, sparks periodically arc across the spark gaps, creating a high frequency, high voltage signal usable to ignite or stabilize a welding-type arc.
Claims20
A spark gap point comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end;
- and
- a first spark gap surface disposed at the first end and a second spark gap surface disposed at the second end.
A spark gap assembly comprising:
- a base;
- and
- a pair of single-headed spark gap points and at least one double-headed spark gap point positioned axially between the pair of single-headed spark gap points.
A welding-type power source comprising:
- a power conditioner configured to condition a raw power into welding-type power, useable in a welding-type process;
- and
- a spark gap assembly having at least three spark-inducing elements linearly arranged with respect to one another along a common axis, the spark gap assembly designed to perform at least one of arc ignition and arc stabilization.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.