Power saving systems and methods for isolation circuitry in a voltage sensing accessory
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorBrian Lee Ott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling isolation circuitry in a welding device based on one or more power characteristics. In particular, a power supply and a welding wire feeder are provided to support both arc welding and gouging operations. To ensure power at an output power terminal is available only during periods of operation, isolation circuitry is provided in the wire feeder. The isolation circuitry is operable to create a path between a input power terminal and an output terminal during an arc welding and/or gouging operation, and to electrically or physically disrupt the path between the input power terminal and the output power terminal during an idle or standby mode.
Claims20
A welding system, comprising:
- isolation circuitry between a power input and a power output to automatically isolate the power input from the power output;
- a monitoring circuit;
- and
- control circuitry configured to:
- control the isolation circuitry to disengage in the idle mode;
- monitor a change in a power characteristic at the monitoring circuit;
- and
- engage the isolation circuitry in response to a power characteristic change
- at the circuit monitor greater than a threshold characteristic value.
A system, comprising:
- a welding power supply to supply a power output;
- and
- a wire feeder coupled between the welding power supply and one or more welding torches, the wire feeder comprising:
- isolation circuitry between a welding power input and a welding power output to automatically isolate the welding power input from the welding power output;
- a monitoring circuit;
- and
- control circuitry configured to:
- control the isolation circuitry to disengage in the idle mode;
- monitor a change in a power characteristic at the monitoring circuit;
- and
- engage the isolation circuitry in response to a power characteristic change at the circuit monitor greater than a threshold characteristic value.
A welding system, comprising:
- isolation circuitry between a welding power input and a welding power output to automatically isolate the welding power input from the welding power output;
- a relay circuit;
- a circuit monitor;
- and
- control circuitry configured to:
- control the relay circuit to engage in an idle mode;
- control the isolation circuitry to disengage in the idle mode;
- monitor a change in voltage at the current limiting circuit;
- and
- engage the isolation circuitry in response to a voltage change at the circuit monitor greater than a threshold voltage value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.