Wire feeder with auto-configure power supply
AssigneeLincoln Global, Inc.
InventorsAndreu P. MECKLER, Keith CLARK, Edward ENYEDY
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wire drive system includes a wire feed motor for feeding welding wire in a continuous welding process. The wire drive system further includes a controller connected to the wire feed motor for driving the motor responsive to a command signal. The controller is capable of detecting the source of power from which the wire feed motor is driven wherein a first possible source of power is taken from the welding arc and wherein a second possible source of power is taken from the welding power supply.
Claims21
A system for welding, comprising:
- a welding power source operable to deliver electrical power for establishing a welding arc;
- a wire feeder including a wire feeder motor for continuously feeding an associated electrode;
- and,
- a controller operable to automatically direct power for operating the wire feeder motor from between a first power source and at least a second substantially different power source.
A system for welding, comprising:
- a welding power source operable to deliver electrical power for establishing a welding arc;
- a wire feeder including a wire feeder motor for continuously feeding an associated electrode;
- a controller operable to receive power for operating the wire feeder motor from between a first power source and at least a second substantially different power source;
- and,
- a manual switching device operatively connected to the controller for selecting power from between the first power source and the at least a second substantially different power source.
A wire drive system for use with an associated welding power source, comprising:
- a drive motor for feeding associated wire;
- and,
- a drive motor controller operatively connected to the drive motor for automatically directing electrical supply power to the drive motor from between a first power source and at least a second substantially different power source.
A method of switching the source of electrical power supplied to the wire feeder motor of a welding wire feeder system, comprising the steps of:
- providing a welding wire feeder system operable to draw power from an associated welding arc for operating the wire feeder motor, wherein the welding wire feeder system is operable to receive power for operating the wire feeder motor from a separate regulated power supply;
- connecting power from the separate regulated power supply to the welding wire feeder system;
- and,
- automatically drawing power from the separate regulated power supply to operate the wire feeder motor in replacement of drawing power from an associated welding arc.
A system for welding, comprising:
- a welding power source operable to deliver electrical power for establishing a welding arc;
- a wire feeder for feeding an associated electrode used with the welding arc;
- a controller operable to automatically direct power for operating the wire feeder from between power drawn from across the welding arc and from power drawn from a separate regulated power supply;
- and, a power cable for communicating electrical power from the at least a second substantially different power source to the controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.