Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Allen Raymond Sykes

Bruce Patrick Albrecht

James F Ulrich

Jon O Reynolds

David Kraus

Michael J Brace

A welding system includes an engine configured to drive a generator to produce a first power output. The welding system also includes a battery configured to discharge energy to produce a second power output. In addition, the welding system includes an auxiliary charger coupled to the battery and the generator. The auxiliary charger is configured to maintain a float charge of the battery when the first and second power outputs are reduced from a base load.

Welding system having an auxiliary charger

Embodiments of a welding power supply include an engine adapted to drive a generator to produce a first power and a energy storage device adapted to discharge energy to produce a second power. The welding power supply also includes control circuitry adapted to detect a commanded output. The control circuitry is adapted to meet the commanded output by controlling access to power from the energy storage device to produce the second power when the commanded output is below a first predetermined load level. The control circuitry is further adapted to meet the commanded output by controlling access to power from the engine and the energy storage device to produce the first power and the second power when the commanded output is above a second predetermined load level.

Incremental hybrid welding systems and methods

A hybrid welding system is provided. In one embodiment, the welding system includes an engine-driven generator, an energy storage device, a contactor, and a controller. The controller may be configured to control delivery of weld power from the generator when a commanded output is below a threshold level, and from both the generator and the energy storage when the commanded output is above the threshold level. Closing of the contactor enables the energy storage device to contribute to weld power during welding operations and to be charged by the generator output independent of charging between weld operations. Additional hybrid welding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Hybrid welding control technique

The present invention provides a method and apparatus of electronically selecting an output mode of a welding power source. The invention includes operational circuitry that electronically energizes an output terminal based on a user selected parameter. Specifically, a series of power switches is selectively biased based on a particular output mode selection by the user. As such, independent output terminals of the power source may be activated without requiring mechanical and manual operation by the user.

Method and apparatus of electronic selection of an output mode of a welding power source

An engine driven welding power supply including a welding output winding, and a dig output winding is disclosed. The welding output winding has a welding output with a welding V-A curve of a first slope, in a welding range and below the welding range. The dig output winding has a dig output with a dig V-A curve of a second slope below the welding range. The second slope is less steep than the first slope. An output circuit is connected to receive and combine the welding and dig outputs to provide a power supply output.

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New London, WI, United States of America

Allen Raymond Sykes