Method and system for welding with paralleled power supplies
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorJon O. Reynolds
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for welding with a plurality of welding power supplies connected in parallel. The system includes a first power supply and a second power supply. A reference signal indicative of a welding output of the first power supply is provided to a balancing circuit. The balancing circuit converts the reference signal into a command signal usable by the second power supply. A welding output of the second power supply is responsive to the command signal.
Claims17
An apparatus for paralleling a plurality of welding power supply outputs comprising:
- an input stage configured to receive a reference signal indicative of actual welding output of a first power supply;
- an output stage configured to deliver a command signal usable by a second power supply having a welding output responsive to the command signal;
- a balancing circuit connected to receive the reference signal from the input stage and to provide the command signal to the output stage wherein the command signal is a function of the reference signal;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a contactor control signal to the second power supply in response to the first power supply switching on.
An apparatus for paralleling a plurality of welding power supply outputs comprising:
- an input stage configured to receive a reference signal indicative of actual welding output of a first power supply;
- an output stage configured to deliver a command signal usable by a second power supply having a welding output responsive to the command signal;
- a balancing circuit connected to receive the reference signal from the input stage and to provide the command signal to the output stage wherein the command signal is a function of the reference signal;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a contactor control signal to the second power supply in response to the flow of welding current from the first power supply.
A welding system comprising:
- a first power supply pp atlngina constant voltage mode having a first welding output;
- a second power supply operating in a constant current mode having a second welding output connected in parallel with the first welding output;
- and
- a balancing circuit in electrical communication with the first power supply and the second power supply wherein the balancing circuit receives a signal indicative of actual welding output of the first power supply and provides a command signal to the second power supply configured to regulate the second welding output to achieve an equilibrium between the first welding output and the second welding output.
A welding system for delivering a welding current to a load comprising:
- a first power supply having a welding output connected across the load and operating in a constant voltage mode wherein the first power supply delivers a portion of the welding current to the load;
- a second power supply having a welding output connected across the load in parallel with the welding output of the first power supply and operating in a constant current mode wherein the second power supply delivers a portion of the welding current to the load;
- and
- a control configured to:
- detect a signal indicative of actual welding output of the first power supply;
- and
- output a command signal to the second power supply configured to regulate the welding output of the second power supply such that each power supply supplies an equal portion of the welding current to the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.