US6051806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power supply apparatus for welders and method of manufacturing same
Assignee: Sansha Electric Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1999-01-25
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Granted: 2000-04-18
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Expires: 2019-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A power supply apparatus for welders includes an input-side AC-to-DC converter for converting an input commercial AC voltage into a DC voltage, which is, in turn, converted to a high-frequency voltage in an inverter. The high-frequency voltage is transformed to a high-frequency voltage having a desired magnitude in a transformer. The transformed high-frequency voltage is then converted back to a DC voltage in an output-side high-frequency-to-DC converter. The DC voltage is developed between output terminals of the power supply apparatus. A current detector detects the current flowing through the output terminals and develops a detected-current representative signal. A voltage detector detects the voltage between the output terminals and develops a detected-voltage representative signal. A CPU has three control modes and controls, in a first mode, the inverter in such a manner that the current representative signal becomes equal to a reference-current representative signal. In a second mode, the CPU activates and, then, deactivates a high-frequency generator, which provides a high-frequency voltage between the output terminals, and, thereafter, performs the first mode of control. In a third control mode, the CPU controls the inverter in such a manner that the voltage representative signal becomes equal to a reference-voltage representative signal and also controls a wire feeder for feeding a wire to be connected to one of the output terminals.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunio Shikata
- 👤 Masayuki Ono
- 👤 Masao Katooka
- 👤 Haruo Moriguchi
- 👤 Tetsuro Ikeda
- 👤 Kenzo Danjo
- 👤 Atsushi Kinoshita
- 👤 Fumi Noda
- 👤 Hideo Ishii
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:13
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/095; B23K9/0956
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A power supply apparatus for use in welding, comprising: an input-side AC-to-DC converter for converting a commercial AC voltage into a DC voltage; a DC-to-high-frequency converter for converting the DC voltage developed by said input-side AC-to-DC converter to a high-frequency voltage; a transformer for voltage-transforming the high-frequency voltage from said DC-to-high-frequency converter to a high-frequency voltage having a predetermined value; an output-side high-frequency-to-DC converter for converting the high-frequency voltage developed by said transformer to a DC voltage and applying the DC voltage between two output terminals adapted to be connected to a load; a current detector adapted to detect current flowing through said output terminals and to develop a current-representative signal representing the detected current; a voltage detector for detecting a voltage between said output terminals and developing a voltage-representative signal representing the detected voltage; and a controller selectively operable in first, second and third control modes, said controller being adapted to control, in said first control mode, said DC-to-high-frequency converter in such a manner that said current-representative signal becomes equal to a reference-current representative signal representing a reference current having a predetermined value, said controller, in said second control mode, being adapted to activate and then deactivate a high-frequency generator to be used to provide a high-frequency voltage between said output terminals and thereafter to control said DC-to-high-frequency converter in the same manner as in said first control mode, said controller, in said third control mode, being adapted to control said DC-to-high-frequency converter in such a manner that said voltage-representative signal becomes equal to a reference-voltage representative signal representing a reference voltage having a predetermined value and also control a wire feeder to be used to feed a wire to be connected to one of said output terminals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
A power supply apparatus for use in welding, comprising: an input-side AC-to-DC converter for converting a commercial AC voltage into a DC voltage; a DC-to-high-frequency converter for converting the DC voltage developed by said input-side AC-to-DC converter to a high-frequency voltage; a transformer for voltage-transforming the high-frequency voltage from said DC-to-high-frequency converter to a high-frequency voltage having a predetermined value; an output-side high-frequency-to-DC converter for converting the high-frequency voltage developed by said transformer to a DC voltage and applying the DC voltage between two output terminals adapted to be connected to a load; a current detector adapted to detect current flowing through said output terminals and to develop a current-representative signal representing the detected current; a voltage detector for detecting a voltage between said output terminals and developing a voltage-representative signal representing the detected voltage; and a controller selectively operable in first, second and third control modes, said controller being adapted to control, in said first control mode, said DC-to-high-frequency converter in such a manner that said current-representative signal becomes equal to a reference-current representative signal representing a reference current having a predetermined value, said controller, in said second control mode, being adapted to activate and then deactivate a high-frequency generator to be used to provide a high-frequency voltage between said output terminals and thereafter to control said DC-to-high-frequency converter in the same manner as in said first control mode, said controller, in said third control mode, being adapted to control said DC-to-high-frequency converter in such a manner that said voltage-representative signal becomes equal to a reference-voltage representative signal representing a reference voltage having a predetermined value and also control a wire feeder to be used to feed a wire to be connected to one of said output terminals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising said high-frequency generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising said wire feeder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an AC/DC switching circuit operable in a selected one of first and second states, said AC/DC switching circuit in said first state causing the DC voltage provided by said output-side high-frequency-to-DC converter to be converted to an AC voltage for application to said output terminals, said AC/DC switching circuit in said second state operating to cause the DC voltage provided by said output-side high-frequency-to-DC converter to be coupled to the output terminals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a mode selection commander for supplying to said controller a mode selection command to operate in one of said first, second and third control modes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The power supply apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a parameter selection commander for supplying to said controller a parameter selection command to select a parameter appropriate to the control mode selected in accordance with the mode selection command.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power supply apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a single setting device for setting both said reference current and said reference voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The power supply apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a mode display for displaying the mode selected in accordance with the mode selection command, and a parameter display for displaying the parameter selected in accordance with the parameter selection command.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a fixed-voltage providing circuit disposed between said input-side AC-to-DC converter and said DC-to-high-frequency converter for providing a fixed voltage to said DC-to-high-frequency converter.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
334 words
A method of manufacturing a power supply apparatus for use in welding, comprising: the step of preparing a basic unit including an input-side AC-to-DC converter for converting a commercial AC voltage into a DC voltage, a DC-to-high-frequency converter for converting the DC voltage developed by said input-side AC-to-DC converter to a high-frequency voltage, a transformer for voltage-transforming the high-frequency voltage from said DC-to-high-frequency converter to a high-frequency voltage having a predetermined value, an output-side high-frequency-to-DC converter for converting the high-frequency voltage developed by said transformer to a DC voltage and applying the DC voltage between two output terminals adapted to be connected to a load, a current detector adapted to detect current flowing through said output terminals and to develop a current-representative signal representing the detected current, a voltage detector for detecting a voltage between said output terminals and developing a voltage-representative signal representing the detected voltage, and a controller selectively operable in first, second and third control modes, said controller in said first control mode controlling said DC-to-high-frequency converter in such a manner that said current-representative signal becomes equal to a reference-current representative signal representing a reference current having a predetermined value, said controller, in said second control mode, being adapted to activate and then deactivate a high-frequency generator to be used to provide a high-frequency voltage between said output terminals and thereafter control said DC-to-high-frequency converter in the same manner as in said first control mode, said controller in said third control mode, being adapted to control said DC-to-high-frequency converter in such a manner that said voltage-representative signal becomes equal to a reference-voltage representative signal representing a reference voltage having a predetermined value and also controlling a wire feeder to be used to feed a wire to be connected to one of said output terminals; and the step of performing a selected one of adding said high-frequency generator to said basic unit, adding said wire feeder to said basic unit, and adding said high-frequency generator and wire feeder to said basic unit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
334 words
A method of manufacturing a power supply apparatus for use in welding, comprising: the step of preparing a basic unit including an input-side AC-to-DC converter for converting a commercial AC voltage into a DC voltage, a DC-to-high-frequency converter for converting the DC voltage developed by said input-side AC-to-DC converter to a high-frequency voltage, a transformer for voltage-transforming the high-frequency voltage from said DC-to-high-frequency converter to a high-frequency voltage having a predetermined value, an output-side high-frequency-to-DC converter for converting the high-frequency voltage developed by said transformer to a DC voltage and applying the DC voltage between two output terminals adapted to be connected to a load, a current detector adapted to detect current flowing through said output terminals and to develop a current-representative signal representing the detected current, a voltage detector for detecting a voltage between said output terminals and developing a voltage-representative signal representing the detected voltage, and a controller selectively operable in first, second and third control modes, said controller in said first control mode controlling said DC-to-high-frequency converter in such a manner that said current-representative signal becomes equal to a reference-current representative signal representing a reference current having a predetermined value, said controller, in said second control mode, being adapted to activate and then deactivate a high-frequency generator to be used to provide a high-frequency voltage between said output terminals and thereafter control said DC-to-high-frequency converter in the same manner as in said first control mode, said controller in said third control mode, being adapted to control said DC-to-high-frequency converter in such a manner that said voltage-representative signal becomes equal to a reference-voltage representative signal representing a reference voltage having a predetermined value and also controlling a wire feeder to be used to feed a wire to be connected to one of said output terminals; and the step of performing a selected one of adding said high-frequency generator to said basic unit, adding said wire feeder to said basic unit, and adding said high-frequency generator and wire feeder to said basic unit.
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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) | 2003-04-18 | 2003-10-18 | 2004-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-18 | 2007-10-18 | 2008-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-18 | 2011-10-18 | 2012-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |