US5968385A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine driven inverter welding power supply
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
•
Filing: 1997-05-19
•
Granted: 1999-10-19
•
Expires: 2017-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for welding with an engine driven inverter power supply includes generating an ac output with an engine and generator. The output is rectified and inverted to provide an ac inverter output. The engine is controlled using feedback indicative of a welding output operating parameter. The feedback may also be taken from the inverter or generator, and the generator may be controlled instead of or in addition to the engine. Engine parameters that may be controlled include engine speed, selecting between an idle speed and a run speed, a throttle position, a fuel pump, an injection timer, a fuel to air ratio, fuel consumption and ignition timing. Another aspect of the invention is having the feedback be responsive to one or more of the welding current, welding voltage, welding power, or functions thereof. The feedback may be responsive to the current, voltage, power, ripple and functions thereof. An aux power output is derived directly from the generator and feedback from the aux load is used to determine if the engine should be idling or running at high speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Beeson
- 👤 Stephen Li
- 👤 Alan Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:27
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/095; B23K9/0956; B23K9/10; B23K9/1006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; a controller coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input; and a feedback circuit coupled to the welding output and the feedback input wherein a feedback signal responsive to welding current and welding voltage is provided to the feedback input, and wherein the feedback circuit includes a multiplier, wherein the multiplier multiplies signals representative of voltage and current to obtain a signal representative of power, and further wherein the feedback circuit includes an integrator to integrate the signal representative of power.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; a controller coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input; and a feedback circuit coupled to the welding output and the feedback input wherein a feedback signal responsive to welding current and welding voltage is provided to the feedback input, and wherein the feedback circuit includes a multiplier, wherein the multiplier multiplies signals representative of voltage and current to obtain a signal representative of power, and further wherein the feedback circuit includes an integrator to integrate the signal representative of power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein the primary mover includes a speed control and the controller includes an output coupled to the speed control, wherein the speed of the primary mover is controlled in response to the feedback signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power supply of claim 2 wherein the speed control includes an idle/run selector for selecting between an idle speed and a run speed in response to the feedback signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The power supply of claim 2 further including a rectifier that couples the inverter to the ac output, and wherein the inverter includes at least one input energy storage device that stores rectified energy and wherein the controller causes the primary mover to increase speed when the energy stored decreases past a threshold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein the controller includes means for controlling at least one of a throttle position, a fuel pump, an injection timer, a fuel to air ratio, fuel consumption and ignition timing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power supply of claim 1 further including a rectifier coupled to the inverter output to provide a dc welding output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein the generator is a dc generator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein the generator is an ac generator, and the inverter includes an input rectifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power supply of claim 1 further including a damper cage magnetically coupled to the rotor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; control means, coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input, for controlling the primary mover; and feedback means, coupled to the welding output and the feedback input, for providing a feedback signal responsive to at least one welding output operating parameter to the feedback input, wherein the feedback means includes a multiplier means for multiplying signals representative of output voltage and current to obtain a signal representative of power, and further wherein the feedback means includes an integrator means for integrating the signal representative of power.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; control means, coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input, for controlling the primary mover; and feedback means, coupled to the welding output and the feedback input, for providing a feedback signal responsive to at least one welding output operating parameter to the feedback input, wherein the feedback means includes a multiplier means for multiplying signals representative of output voltage and current to obtain a signal representative of power, and further wherein the feedback means includes an integrator means for integrating the signal representative of power.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The power supply of claim 10 wherein the primary mover speed control means for controlling the primary mover's speed, and the control means includes an output coupled to the speed control means, wherein the speed of the primary mover is controlled in response to the feedback signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power supply of claim 11 wherein the speed control means includes an idle/run selector means for selecting between an idle speed and a run speed in response to the feedback signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The power supply of claim 11 wherein the inverter includes at least one input energy storage means for storing energy to be inverted by the inverter, and wherein the control means further includes means for increasing primary mover's speed when the energy stored decreases past a threshold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The power supply of claim 10 wherein the control means includes means for controlling at least one of a throttle position, a fuel pump, an injection timer, a fuel to air ratio, fuel consumption and ignition timing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power supply of claim 10 further including a rectifier means coupled to the inverter output for providing a dc welding output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The power supply of claim 10 wherein the generator is a dc generator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The power supply of claim 10 wherein the generator is an ac generator and the inverter includes a rectifier.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of providing welding power comprising; generating an electrical output with an engine and generator; inverting the electrical input to provide an ac inverter output; controlling the engine speed using feedback indicative of a welding output operating parameter; and providing feedback responsive to welding power.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of providing welding power comprising; generating an electrical output with an engine and generator; inverting the electrical input to provide an ac inverter output; controlling the engine speed using feedback indicative of a welding output operating parameter; and providing feedback responsive to welding power.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of controlling includes the step of selecting between an idle speed and a run speed in response to the feedback.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of controlling includes controlling at least one of a throttle position, a fuel pump, an injection timer, a fuel to air ratio, fuel consumption and ignition timing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 including the step of providing feedback responsive to welding current.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 21 further including the step of rectifying the inverter output to provide a dc welding output.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 including the step of providing feedback responsive to welding voltage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 18 wherein step of providing feedback further includes the steps of multiplying signals representative of voltage and current to obtain a signal representative of power, and integrating the signal representative of power.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 18 further including the step of storing energy after rectification and wherein the step of controlling includes the step of increasing engine speed when the energy stored decreases past a threshold.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of generating includes the step of generating a dc output.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of generating includes the step of generating an ac dc output and the step of inverting includes the step of rectifying.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
112 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; a controller coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input; and a feedback circuit coupled to the welding output and the feedback input wherein a feedback signal responsive to ripple in the welding output is provided to the feedback input.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
112 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; a controller coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input; and a feedback circuit coupled to the welding output and the feedback input wherein a feedback signal responsive to ripple in the welding output is provided to the feedback input.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
110 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; a controller coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input; and a feedback circuit coupled to the inverter and the feedback input wherein a feedback signal responsive to ripple in the inverter is provided to the feedback input.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
110 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; a controller coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input; and a feedback circuit coupled to the inverter and the feedback input wherein a feedback signal responsive to ripple in the inverter is provided to the feedback input.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
115 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; control means, coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input, for controlling the primary mover; and feedback means, coupled to the welding output and the feedback input, for providing a feedback signal responsive to ripple in the welding output to the feedback input.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
115 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; control means, coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input, for controlling the primary mover; and feedback means, coupled to the welding output and the feedback input, for providing a feedback signal responsive to ripple in the welding output to the feedback input.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
113 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; control means, coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input, for controlling the primary mover; and feedback means, coupled to the inverter and the feedback input, for providing a feedback signal responsive to ripple in the inverter to the feedback input.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
113 words
A stand alone welding power supply comprising; a primary mover mechanically coupled to a rotating shaft; a generator having a rotor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and further having a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, whereby the generator provides a generator output; an inverter having an inverter input in electrical communication with the generator output, wherein the inverter inverts power from the inverter input to provide an inverter output; control means, coupled to the primary mover and having a feedback input, for controlling the primary mover; and feedback means, coupled to the inverter and the feedback input, for providing a feedback signal responsive to ripple in the inverter to the feedback input.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
37 words
A method of providing welding power comprising; generating an electrical output with an engine and generator; inverting the electrical input to provide an ac inverter output; controlling the engine using feedback indicative of a welding output ripple.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
37 words
A method of providing welding power comprising; generating an electrical output with an engine and generator; inverting the electrical input to provide an ac inverter output; controlling the engine using feedback indicative of a welding output ripple.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of providing welding power comprising; generating an electrical output with an engine and generator; inverting the electrical input to provide an ac inverter output; controlling the engine using feedback indicative of an inverter ripple.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of providing welding power comprising; generating an electrical output with an engine and generator; inverting the electrical input to provide an ac inverter output; controlling the engine using feedback indicative of an inverter ripple.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-18 | 2003-04-19 | 2003-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | 2007-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-18 | 2011-04-19 | 2011-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |