Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Travis Orvedahl

Bernard J Vogel

James Donald Borowski

John Steffens

Bernard T Vogel

Systems and methods for preventing activation of a starter when engine speed is above a threshold engine speed value are disclosed. In examples, an engine driven power system includes an engine and a current transformer to generate an induced current in response to an excitation current from an excitation circuit. As the excitation current is induced in response to rotational movement of the engine, the excitation current and the induced current exhibits characteristics corresponding to engine speed. A control circuit receives a signal from the current transformer representing characteristics representative of engine speed and determines the engine speed, compares the characteristics to a list of values that correlates current characteristics to engine speed, compare a list of threshold engine speed values to the calculated engine speed value, and prevents activation of an engine starter if the control circuitry determines that the engine speed exceeds the threshold engine speed value.

Systems and methods for preventing activation of a starter based on engine speed

An example power system for supplying AC output power to an AC load includes: a variable-speed generator configured to be driven by a prime mover, the generator comprising a first winding and a reference tap in the first winding; a rectifier configured to rectify an input voltage from the first winding to output a positive DC signal with respect to the reference tap and a negative DC signal with respect to the reference tap; a first boost converter configured to convert the positive DC signal to generate a positive DC bus voltage with respect to the reference tap; a second boost converter configured to convert the negative DC signal to generate a negative DC bus voltage with respect to the reference tap; and an inverter circuit configured to convert the positive DC bus voltage and the negative DC bus voltage to an AC output signal with respect to the reference tap.

Systems, methods, and retrofit kits to provide output power with asynchronous generator speeds

A welding-type power system that provides balanced split phase AC power or three phase AC power from a DC power bus that includes a power supply, a DC power bus, inverters, and a balancing circuit. The inverters and the balancing circuit are configured in a half-bridge topology. The balancing circuit is configured to balance a neutral midpoint of the DC power bus. The balanced split phase AC power or three phase AC power is accomplished by actively controlling the neutral midpoint of the DC power bus via the balancing circuit.

AC inverter with active neutral balance

Methods and systems for engine-driven welding-type power supplies with secondary energy generation are disclosed. An example engine-driven welding-type power supply includes a primary energy generation system comprising an internal combustion engine configured to generate mechanical power, a generator configured to convert the mechanical power from the internal combustion engine to electric power, a welding-type power conditioning circuit to convert the electric power to welding-type power, and a secondary energy generation system configured to supplement the mechanical power output by the internal combustion engine.

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Travis Orvedahl