The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 19, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 02, 1996
Richard A Eldridge, Florence, SC (US);
ESAB Group, Inc., Florence, SC (US);
Abstract
The cutting or welding system includes a power source having, in one embodiment, a stabilization circuit for reducing arc rectification and, in another embodiment, a number of firing circuits for controlling the flow of current through a rectifier in order to more precisely provide a rectified alternating current. The power source also includes a rectifier having a number of current control devices for providing rectified current having alternating positive and negative cycles across the arc gap. Accordingly, the electrode alternates between an electrode negative state and an electrode positive state, respectively. In one embodiment, the stabilization circuit extends across the arc gap and includes an energy storage device and a current control device in series with the energy storage device for blocking current flow to the energy storage device in the electrode negative state such that the energy storage device remains uncharged and for allowing current flow to the energy storage device in the electrode positive state such that the energy storage device rapidly charges from an uncharged state to a charged state upon switching the electrode to the electrode positive state. In another embodiment, the firing circuits are connected to the control electrodes of respective current control devices of the rectifier wherein said current control devices provide a continuous firing current to the control electrode once the firing current control device has been actuated to thereby increasing the reliability of the rectifier.