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:
Apr. 25, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2004
Richard A. Eldridge, Florence, SC (US);
Richard A. Eldridge, Florence, SC (US);
The ESAB Group, Inc., Florence, SC (US);
Abstract
The systems and methods of the present invention provide a circuit for controlling the magnitude of the main and pilot arc current provided to an arc cutting or welding machine. In one embodiment, the circuit allows the user to set the pilot arc current such that it automatically tracks the main arc current setting. The pilot arc current is set to a value that is proportional to the main arc current, such that the pilot arc current value is tailored to the specific cutting operation to be performed and/or the specific nozzle and electrode being used. In an alternative embodiment, the circuit allows the user to select from different pilot arc current levels, such as low, medium, and high current levels. This allows the user to override the pilot arc control in instances where the plasma arc cutting or welding machine is operated under conditions not optimal for the selected nozzle and electrode.