Lincoln Global, Inc.

Robert L Dodge

George Bradley Koprivnak

Todd E Kooken

Steven R Peters

George Daryl Blankenship

Lifeng Luo

David W Perrin

Jeremie Buday

Edward Dennis Hillen

Russ Myers

George G Blankenship

George B Koprivanak

George B Koprivnak

Welding circuits including superposition elements that charge and discharge to assist with re-establishing a welding arc between an electrode and a workpiece after the arc is extinguished when a welding output current polarity changes are described.

Circuits for improved welding performance

Systems and methods providing low current regulation for AC arc welding processes to regulate arc welding performance. In arc welding power source embodiments, configurations of bridge and arc regulation circuits allow for the directional switching of the welding output current through the welding output circuit path and induce a voltage between the electrode and the workpiece of the welding output circuit path that is sufficient to re-ignite the arc during polarity transition of the output current. The arc regulation circuit provides a high inductance level for storing energy, in both polarities, which induces the voltage level for re-igniting the arc during the zero crossing of the output current and provides low end stabilization of arc current.

Systems and methods providing low current regulation for AC arc welding processes

A modified phase shift scheme that provides the minimum on-time and regulation benefits of the conventional phase shift method with the reduced circulating current benefits of the traditional PWM control. A welding machine comprises an inverter operatively connected to a controller, wherein the controller controls a welding process of the welding machine using modified phase shifted switching of the inverter.

Modified phase shifted gate drive

A system and method for re-igniting and stabilizing an arc is provided. The system includes an output system that provides an output waveform, which includes a positive period and a negative period. The positive period includes a positive decay period prior to a transition to the negative period, and the negative period includes a negative decay period prior to a transition to said positive period. The system further includes an inductive discharge and stabilizing system, which includes at least one inductor. The at least one inductor re-ignites an arc between an electrode and a workpiece during the transition period from the positive period to the negative period and the transition period from the negative period to the positive period. The at least one inductor also provides a stabilizing current to stabilize said arc during at least a portion of said positive period and at least a portion of said negative period.

Inductive discharge arc re-ignition and stabilizing circuit

Systems and methods providing an energy limited arc re-ignition voltage for AC arc welding processes to re-ignite an arc during polarity transitions. In arc welding power source embodiments, configurations of bridge and superposition circuits allow for the directional switching of the welding output current through the welding output circuit path and provide a voltage between the electrode and the workpiece of the welding output circuit path that is sufficient to re-ignite the arc during polarity transition of the output current. The superposition circuit provides a capacitor for storing energy from a dedicated charging source which produces the voltage level for re-igniting the arc during the zero crossing of the output current in both polarities.

Systems and methods providing arc re-ignition for AC arc welding processes

A method of controlling a power source includes providing a power supply module. The power supply module includes a first circuit that has at least one first switch. The first circuit is configured to provide a welding current to an electrode of a welding system. The power supply module also has a second circuit that includes a load that is operatively connected to at least one second switch. The second circuit is configured to provide the welding current to the electrode through the load. The method also includes controlling the at least one first switch such that the welding current flows through the at least one first switch and to the electrode during a ramp up portion of a welding waveform and such that no current flows through the at least one first switch during a ramp down portion of the welding waveform. The method further includes controlling the at least one second switch such that the welding current flows through the load and to the electrode during the ramp down portion of the welding waveform. The ramp down portion takes the welding current to a predetermined value.

Method to improve GMAW and GTAW welding performance

Systems and methods for providing controlled AC arc welding processes. In arc welding power source embodiments, configurations of main and auxiliary bridge circuits allow for the directional switching of the output welding current through the welding output circuit path and selectively provide one or more high impedance paths to rapidly decay the arc current. The high impedance path aids in the low spatter transfer of molten metal balls from a consumable electrode to a workpiece and further aids in the maintaining or the re-establishing of an arc between the consumable electrode and the workpiece when a molten metal ball is transferred.

Systems and methods providing controlled AC arc welding processes

A welding system component includes a circuit board for the welding system component. An interface has a main riser portion with a fastener passageway formed therethrough. The interface has an extension portion with a terminal passageway formed therethrough. The extension portion is electrically connected to the circuit board with a terminal disposed in the terminal passageway. The extension portion is spaced away from a surface of the circuit board. A capacitor is electrically connected to the main riser portion with a fastener disposed in the fastener passageway.

Capacitor-circuit board interface for welding system components

An electric arc welder power supply housing assembly is described in which it is possible to clean internal component parts is achieved by positioning cooling components on a rail system. The rail system may include at least one telescoping track assembly. When the telescoping track assembly is engaged, the housing assembly is in an open position, thus providing access for the maintenance of internal components therein without having to disassemble unnecessary components or parts of the welding power supply.

Slideable welding power source housing assembly

An electronic module is employed with at least one interiorly positioned fastener that at least partially secures a central region of the electronic module to an object to prevent bowing or warping. The module contains a base, at least two peripheral fasteners at opposed ends of the module, and the at least one interiorly positioned fastener, wherein the base is capable of accepting electronic components and further includes at least one layer, and wherein the at least one interiorly positioned fastener is interposed between the at least two peripheral fasteners.

Electronic module with center mounting fasteners

Systems and methods for facilitating welding system diagnostics is provided. The invention includes a welder, a local system, a remote system, and/or an alarm component. The invention further provides for receiving sensor input(s), performing test sequence(s) based, at least in part, upon the sensor input(s), performing internal diagnostics, and/or initiating corrective action. The invention further provides for determining a health status of the welder and communicating the health status of the welder to the local system, the remote system and/or the alarm component. The health status of the welder can include welder alarm(s) and/or fault(s). Information regarding the health status of the welder can be sent by telephone, voicemail, e-mail and/or beeper. The welder can communicate with the local system and/or remote system to schedule maintenance. The invention further provides for an expert component to facilitate welding diagnostics.

System and method for facilitating welding system diagnostics

A plasma device including a power source for creating an AC output signal with a matrix transformer between said power source and a series circuit comprising a first lead and a second lead. The matrix transformer including at least two modules with a first primary portion formed of first and second tubes connected at one end and a second primary portion formed of third and fourth tubes connected at one end, with said third and fourth tubes mounted in, and electrically isolated from, said first and second tubes, respectively, where said concentric tubes define generally parallel elongated passages through the module. A secondary winding is wrapped through the elongated passages of each module. There is a first series circuit from the power source to the matrix transformer for passing the first polarity of the AC output signal through the first primary sections of the modules, a second series circuit from the power source to the matrix transformer for passing the second polarity of the output signal through the second primary sections, a rectifier for each of the secondary windings of the modules and a third series circuit connecting the rectifiers in series with the first and second leads so a voltage of over about 500 volts is across these leads.

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Mentor, OH, United States of America

Robert L Dodge