Power supply configured to deliver AC welding-type power

A welding-type power source comprising:

• an inverter-based power source configured to provide a welding-type power;
• an output inverter connected to receive the welding-type power and generate an output power having periodic reversals of a polarity;
• a first output and a second output connected to the output inverter to deliver the output power through an inductance to a welding-type electrode and a workpiece, respectively, to generate a welding-type arc between the welding-type electrode and the workpiece to effectuate a welding-type process, the inductance connected at a first end to one of the first output and the second output and connected at a second end to one of the welding-type electrode and the workpiece;
• a circuit connected between the inverter-based power source and the first and second output and including an energy storage device connected to receive a commutation energy associated with the periodic reversals of the polarity of the output power and deliver the commutation energy to one of the first output and the second output during a reversal of the polarity of the output power to substantially reduce occurrences of rectification in the welding-type arc during the welding-type process;
• wherein during a negative portion of the polarity, a first switch is switched on to provide a first current path from the power source, through the output inverter, through the first switch, and through the inductance to generate the welding-type arc, and to reverse the first current path, the first switch is switched off to provide a second current path through a first resonant circuit including the inductance;
• and
• wherein during a positive portion of the polarity, a second switch is switched on to provide a third current path from the power source, through the output inverter, through the second switch, and through the inductance to generate the welding-type arc, and to reverse the third current path, the second switch is switched off to provide a fourth current path through a second resonant circuit including the inductance.

A welding-type power source comprising:

• a transformer having a primary side configured to receive an input AC power and a secondary side configured to deliver an output AC power;
• a converter configured to convert the output AC power to DC power;
• an inverter configured to receive the DC power and generate an AC welding-type power having a first half cycle and a second half cycle, and provide a switched current path for the first half cycle and the second half cycle of the AC welding-type power;
• a first switch and a first output configured to deliver an output power to a connection to a welding-type torch, the connection to the welding-type torch having a first parasitic inductance associated therewith;
• a second switch and a second output configured to deliver the welding power to a connection to a workpiece, the connection to the workpiece having a second parasitic inductance associated therewith;
• an energy storage device connected to receive a commutation energy associated with the parasitic inductance connected to the first output during the first half cycle and deliver the commutation energy to the second output during the second half cycle;
• wherein during the first half cycle, the first switch is switched on to provide a first current path from the secondary side, through the converter, through the first switch, and through the first parasitic inductance to generate the AC welding-type power, and to reverse the first current path, the first switch is switched off to provide a second current path through a first resonant circuit including the first parasitic inductance;
• and
• wherein during the second half cycle, the second switch is switched on to provide a third current path from the secondary side, through the converter, through the second switch, and through the second parasitic inductance to generate the AC welding-type power, and to reverse the third current path, the second switch is switched off to provide a fourth current path through a second resonant circuit including the second parasitic inductance.