US 5,601,741 A · Method and apparatus for receiving a universal input voltage in a welding power source

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A welding power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages, comprising:

an input rectifier configured to receive any input voltage within the range of input voltages, and configured to provide a first dc signal;
a dc voltage stage configured to receive the first dc signal and providing a second dc signal;
an inverter configured to receive the second dc signal and providing a second ac signal and configured to receive at least one control input;
an output transformer configured to receive the second ac signal and providing a third ac signal having a current suitable for welding;
an output circuit configured to receive the third ac signal and providing a welding signal;
a controller configured to provide at least one control signal to the inverter;
and
an auxiliary power source configured to receive any voltage within a range of auxiliary input voltages and configured to provide a control power signal to the controller.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for receiving a universal input voltage in a welding power source

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for receiving a universal input voltage in a welding power source

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24