Controlled output for welding
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsMichael Sammons, Stephen Ferkel, Albert DeCoster, Mark Kadlec
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. It includes a source of power and a controller. An output feedback circuit provides feedback to the controller. The controller includes a comparator that compares the fedback signal to a threshold and/or detects a short on the output. A standby/welding control is responsive to the comparator. Also, an arc end control may be provided that terminates the arc in response to detecting an increase in arc length.
Claims32
A welding power supply comprising:
- a source of power;
- a controller, connected to the source of power;
- an output feedback circuit, connected to the controller;
- wherein the controller includes a comparator connected to receive a signal indicative of a threshold and a signal responsive to the feedback circuit, and wherein the controller further includes a standby/welding control connected to an output of the comparator and responsive to the comparator.
A method of providing welding power comprising:
- sensing an output parameter;
- comparing the sensed parameter to a threshold;
- and
- controlling a power supply to be in a standby or welding state in response to the comparison.
A welding power supply comprising:
- means for sensing an output parameter;
- means for comparing the sensed parameter to a threshold, connected to the means for sensing;
- and
- means for controlling a power source to be in a standby or welding state in response to the comparison, connected to the means for comparing.
A welding power supply comprising:
- means for providing power;
- means for controlling the means for providing power, connected to the means for providing power;
- means for providing feedback, connected to the means for controlling;
- wherein the means for controlling includes means for comparing a signal indicative of a threshold and a signal responsive to the means for providing feedback, and wherein the means for controlling further includes means for selecting one of a standby state and a welding state in response to the means for comparing.
A method of starting a welding process comprising:
- sensing an output parameter;
- determining if an electrode touches a workpiece;
- controlling a power supply to be in a standby state if the electrode is initially not touching the workpiece;
- and
- controlling the power supply to be in a welding state if the electrode is touching the workpiece.
An apparatus for starting a welding process, comprising:
- means for sensing an output parameter;
- means determining if an electrode touches a workpiece, connected to the means for sensing;
- and
- means for controlling a power supply to be in a standby state if the electrode is not touching the workpiece and to be in a welding state if the electrode is touching the workpiece, connected to the means for determining.
An apparatus for starting a welding process, comprising:
- an output feedback circuit;
- a short-circuit detect circuit, responsive to the feedback circuit;
- a controller, connected to the short-circuit detect circuit, wherein the controller includes a standby state output, provided if the electrode is not initially touching the workpiece and further includes a welding state output, provided if the electrode is touching the workpiece.
A welding power supply comprising:
- a source of power;
- a controller, connected to the source of power;
- an output feedback circuit, connected to the controller;
- wherein the controller includes a comparator connected to receive a signal indicative of a threshold and a signal responsive to the feedback circuit, and wherein the controller further includes an arc end control connected to an output of the comparator and responsive to the comparator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.