Method and Apparatus For Providing Welding Power
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorAndrew Joseph Henry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing welding type power is disclosed. A welding type power supply includes an input circuit, a controller and an output circuit. The input circuit receives an input power signal and provides an intermediate power signal. The output circuit receives the intermediate power signal and provides a welding type power output. The output circuit has an inverter with at least two inverter switches, and a clamp circuit that limits the voltage across the inverter. The clamp circuit captures and buffers the excess energy, and returns the excess energy to an input of the inverter over a plurality of switching cycles. The controller has control outputs connected to the input circuit and the output circuit, to control them.
Claims12
1-7. (canceled)
A method of providing welding power, comprising:
- receiving an input power signal and providing an intermediate power signal;
- converting the intermediate power signal to a welding type signal, including inverting a dc signal by controlling at least two inverter switches to provide an inverter output;
- and
- clamping the voltage across the inverter and capturing and buffering the excess energy, and returning the excess energy to the inverter over a plurality of switching cycles;
- and
- a controller having control outputs connected to the input circuit and the output circuit.
14-19. (canceled)
A welding type power supply comprising:
- an input circuit disposed to receive an input power signal and to provide an intermediate power signal;
- an output circuit disposed to receive the intermediate power signal and to provide a welding type power output, wherein the output circuit includes an inverter having at least two inverter switches, and wherein the output circuit includes an output inductor through which the welding type power is provided, wherein the inverter includes a clamp circuit having a voltage source, and wherein the clamp circuit is connected to charge the output inductor and
- a controller having control outputs connected to the input circuit and the output circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.