Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Andrew Joseph Henry

Joseph C Schneider

Bernard J Vogel

Michael David Madsen

Brian James Bornemann

Mark Steven Kadlec

Brian J Borneman

Brian J Bornemann

An example arc starting/stabilizing circuit includes: a pulse generator configured to generate voltage pulses having a first voltage; and a plurality of transformers configured to receive the voltage pulses and output the voltage pulses to a welding-type output circuit at a second voltage higher than the first voltage, wherein: each of the plurality of transformers comprises one primary winding turn, one secondary winding turn, and a core configured to magnetically couple the primary winding turn and the secondary winding turn; the primary winding turns of the plurality of transformers are coupled to the pulse generator to receive the voltage pulses; and the secondary winding turns of the plurality of transformers are coupled in series and are configured to conduct welding-type current in the welding-type output circuit.

Systems and methods to provide welding-type arc starting and stabilization

A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power includes an input circuit, a power circuit, and a controller. The input circuit receives input power and provides intermediate power. The power circuit has a power control input with at least one switch that responds to the control input. The power circuit receives the intermediate power and provides welding type output power. The controller has a set point input and a control output. The control output is connected to the power control input. The control circuit also includes a pwm module that responds to the user set point input and provided the control output. The pwm module can include a short duty cycle linearizing module. The pwm module can also include a short duty cycle charging ramp module.

Method and apparatus for providing welding type power

An example welding-type power supply includes: a transformer having a primary winding and first and second secondary windings; an input circuit configured to provide an input voltage to the primary winding of the transformer; first, second, third, and fourth switching elements, and a control circuit configured to: control the first, second, third, and fourth switching elements to selectively output a positive or negative output voltage without a separate rectifier stage by selectively controlling ones of the first, second, third, and fourth switching elements based on a commanded output voltage polarity and an input voltage polarity to the transformer; and prior to changing from a first output voltage polarity to a second output voltage polarity, controlling the first, second, third, and fourth switching elements to reverse the power flow to return reactive energy to an input circuit via the transformer.

Methods and apparatus to provide welding power

A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed. It includes an input circuit, a dc bus, an output circuit, and a control module. The input circuit receives power and provides an intermediate signal to the bus. The output circuit receives the dc bus and provides an ac welding-type output. The output circuit includes a half-bridge output inverter with at least first and second switches. The output inverter further includes an output control circuit. The output control circuit provides freewheeling paths that includes control switches, the output, antiparallel diodes. The control module has a four quadrant control module that provides control signals to the half bridge output inverter and provides modulating control signals to the first and second output control switches. The modulating signals cause the output control switches to be turned on and off multiple times to control a rate of change of output current.

Welding power supply with half bridge

Welding-type power supplies with adjustable AC current commutation thresholds are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes an interface device to receive a commutation selection input, a power converter to convert input power to welding-type power, a commutator circuit to output alternating current (AC) welding-type power and to control a polarity of the AC welding-type power, and a control circuit. The control circuit determines a threshold output current based on the commutation selection input, determines an output current and a polarity of the AC welding-type power and, when the output current is less than the threshold output current, controls the commutator circuit to change the polarity of the AC welding-type power.

Welding-type power supplies with adjustable AC current commutation thresholds

A method and apparatus for providing welding type power on one of at least two output terminals is disclosed. Input power is received and welding type power is derived and provided by a shared power circuit. The welding type power is provided across a shared terminal and only two process terminals in response to a desired process. The desired process can be set bu user input, feedback, or sensing working connections. The process terminal is selected by selectively opening and closing at least two controllable switches.

System for providing welding type power on multiple outputs

A method and apparatus for providing welding type power is disclosed. A welding type power supply includes an input circuit, a controller and an output circuit. The input circuit receives an input power signal and provides an intermediate power signal. The output circuit receives the intermediate power signal and provides a welding type power output. The output circuit has an inverter with at least two inverter switches, and a clamp circuit that limits the voltage across the inverter. The clamp circuit captures and buffers the excess energy, and returns the excess energy to an input of the inverter over a plurality of switching cycles. The controller has control outputs connected to the input circuit and the output circuit, to control them.

Method and apparatus for providing welding power

An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power, and to output the welding-type power via a welding-type circuit; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of at least one component of the welding-type power supply; and stray current detection circuitry configured to detect stray welding-type current based on the measured temperature of the at least one component.

Methods and apparatus to detect stray welding-type current

Methods and apparatus to provide welding power are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes: a transformer having first and second secondary windings; switching elements configured to control current flow from the first and second secondary windings to an output; and a control circuit configured to control the switching elements to selectively output a positive output voltage or a negative output voltage without a separate rectifier stage by selecting, based on an output voltage polarity, a first subset of the switching elements to perform rectification.

System and method for providing welding type power on multiple outputs

A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed. The apparatus includes an input circuit, a dc bus, an output circuit, and a control module. The input circuit receives power and provides an intermediate signal to the bus. The output circuit receives the dc bus and provides an ac welding-type output. The output circuit includes a half-bridge output inverter with at least first and second switches. The output inverter further includes an output control circuit. The output control circuit provides freewheeling paths that includes control switches, the output, antiparallel diodes. The control module has a four quadrant control module that provides control signals to the half bridge output inverter and provides modulating control signals to the first and second output control switches. The modulating signals cause the output control switches to be turned on and off multiple times to control a rate of change of output current.

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Appleton, WI, United States of America

Andrew Joseph Henry