US6329636B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for receiving a universal input voltage in a welding plasma or heating power source
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
•
Filing: 2000-03-31
•
Granted: 2001-12-11
•
Expires: 2020-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing welding type power is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding, cutting or induction heating. The welding type current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and a controller power supply can also receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller, and a voltage independent of the input voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven J. Geissler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:04
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/42; H02M1/4208; B; B23; B23K; B23K13/00; B23K13/08; B23K9/00; B23K9/10; B23K9/1006; B23K9/1043; B23K9/1056; B23K9/1062; H02M1/0003; H02M1/0006; H02M1/0067; H02M1/007; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A welding type power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: an input circuit configured to receive an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude and provide a first signal having a magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; a preregulator configured to receive the first signal and provide a dc second signal having a preregulator magnitude independent of the input magnitude; an output circuit configured to receive the dc second signal and provide a welding type output power signal having an output frequency independent of the input frequency and having an output voltage independent of the input voltage; a preregulator controller, connected to the preregulator, and further having a controller power input; and a control power circuit configured to receive the dc second signal and provide a control power signal to the controller power input, wherein the controller power signal has a control power magnitude independent of the input magnitude and a control frequency independent of the input frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A welding type power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: an input circuit configured to receive an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude and provide a first signal having a magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; a preregulator configured to receive the first signal and provide a dc second signal having a preregulator magnitude independent of the input magnitude; an output circuit configured to receive the dc second signal and provide a welding type output power signal having an output frequency independent of the input frequency and having an output voltage independent of the input voltage; a preregulator controller, connected to the preregulator, and further having a controller power input; and a control power circuit configured to receive the dc second signal and provide a control power signal to the controller power input, wherein the controller power signal has a control power magnitude independent of the input magnitude and a control frequency independent of the input frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input circuit includes a rectifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the preregulator magnitude is greater than the first magnitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the preregulator includes a boost converter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the boost converter includes a slow voltage switched switch and a slow current switched switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the output circuit includes an inverter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the output circuit includes a switched snubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the preregulator magnitude is greater than the control power magnitude.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the control power circuit includes a buck converter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
186 words
A welding type power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: an input rectifier configured to receive an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude and to provide a rectified signal having a rectified magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; a slow voltage switched and slow current switched boost converter configured to receive the rectified signal and provide a boost dc signal having a boost magnitude greater than and independent of the rectified input magnitude; an output circuit, including an inverter with a switched snubber, connected to receive the dc second signal and to provide a welding type power output having an output frequency independent of the input frequency and having an output voltage independent of the rectified magnitude; a controller, connected to the converter and further having a controller power input; and a control power circuit, including a buck converter connected to receive the boost dc signal and provide a control power signal to the controller power input, wherein the controller power signal has a control power magnitude less than and independent of the boost magnitude.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
186 words
A welding type power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: an input rectifier configured to receive an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude and to provide a rectified signal having a rectified magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; a slow voltage switched and slow current switched boost converter configured to receive the rectified signal and provide a boost dc signal having a boost magnitude greater than and independent of the rectified input magnitude; an output circuit, including an inverter with a switched snubber, connected to receive the dc second signal and to provide a welding type power output having an output frequency independent of the input frequency and having an output voltage independent of the rectified magnitude; a controller, connected to the converter and further having a controller power input; and a control power circuit, including a buck converter connected to receive the boost dc signal and provide a control power signal to the controller power input, wherein the controller power signal has a control power magnitude less than and independent of the boost magnitude.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of providing welding type power from a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: receiving an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude; providing a first signal having a magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; converting the first signal into a dc second signal having a second magnitude independent of the input magnitude; providing an output power signal derived from the dc second signal, wherein the output power signal is a welding type output and has an output frequency independent of the input frequency and further has an output voltage independent of the input voltage; and converting the dc second signal into control power, wherein the control power has a control power magnitude independent of the input magnitude.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of providing welding type power from a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: receiving an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude; providing a first signal having a magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; converting the first signal into a dc second signal having a second magnitude independent of the input magnitude; providing an output power signal derived from the dc second signal, wherein the output power signal is a welding type output and has an output frequency independent of the input frequency and further has an output voltage independent of the input voltage; and converting the dc second signal into control power, wherein the control power has a control power magnitude independent of the input magnitude.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein providing a first signal includes rectifying an ac signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein converting the first signal into a dc second signal includes boost converting the first signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein boost converting the first signal includes a slow voltage switching and slow current switching a switch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein providing an output power signal includes inverting the dc second signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein inverting the dc second signal includes switching a snubber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the second magnitude is greater than the control power magnitude.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein converting the dc second signal into control power includes buck converting the dc second signal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of providing welding type power from a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: rectifying an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude to provide a rectified signal having a rectified magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; boost converting, including slow voltage switching and slow current switching, the rectified signal to provide a boost dc signal having a boost magnitude greater than and independent of the rectified input magnitude; inverting, including switching a snubber, the dc second signal to provide a welding type power output having an output frequency independent of the input frequency and having an output voltage independent of the rectified magnitude; and buck converting the boost dc signal to provide a control power signal, wherein the control power signal has a control power magnitude less than and independent of the boost magnitude, and a control frequency independent of the input frequency.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of providing welding type power from a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: rectifying an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude to provide a rectified signal having a rectified magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; boost converting, including slow voltage switching and slow current switching, the rectified signal to provide a boost dc signal having a boost magnitude greater than and independent of the rectified input magnitude; inverting, including switching a snubber, the dc second signal to provide a welding type power output having an output frequency independent of the input frequency and having an output voltage independent of the rectified magnitude; and buck converting the boost dc signal to provide a control power signal, wherein the control power signal has a control power magnitude less than and independent of the boost magnitude, and a control frequency independent of the input frequency.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
160 words
A welding type power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: input means for receiving an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude and for providing a first signal having a magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; converting means for converting the first signal into a dc second signal having a magnitude independent of the input magnitude, wherein the converting means is connected to receive the first signal; means for providing a welding type output power signal derived from the dc second signal, wherein the output power signal and has an output frequency independent of the input frequency and further has an output voltage independent of the input voltage, and wherein the means for providing an output power signal is disposed to receive the dc second signal; means for converting the dc second signal into control power, wherein the control power has a control power magnitude independent of the input magnitude.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
160 words
A welding type power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: input means for receiving an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude and for providing a first signal having a magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; converting means for converting the first signal into a dc second signal having a magnitude independent of the input magnitude, wherein the converting means is connected to receive the first signal; means for providing a welding type output power signal derived from the dc second signal, wherein the output power signal and has an output frequency independent of the input frequency and further has an output voltage independent of the input voltage, and wherein the means for providing an output power signal is disposed to receive the dc second signal; means for converting the dc second signal into control power, wherein the control power has a control power magnitude independent of the input magnitude.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the first means includes means for rectifying an ac signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the convertor magnitude is greater than the first magnitude.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the converting means includes means for boost converting the first signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the means for boost converting includes means for slow voltage switching and slow current switching a switch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the means for providing an output power signal includes means for inverting the dc second signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the means for inverting includes means for switching a snubber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the converter magnitude is greater than the control power magnitude.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the means for converting the dc second signal into control power includes means for buck converting the dc second signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
96 words
A welding type power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: a dc bus; an output circuit configured, having a control input and to receive the dc bus and provide a welding type output power signal having an output frequency independent of the input frequency and having an output voltage independent of the input voltage; a controller, connected to the control input and further having a controller power input; and a control power circuit configured to receive the dc bus and provide a control power signal to the controller power input.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
96 words
A welding type power source capable of receiving a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: a dc bus; an output circuit configured, having a control input and to receive the dc bus and provide a welding type output power signal having an output frequency independent of the input frequency and having an output voltage independent of the input voltage; a controller, connected to the control input and further having a controller power input; and a control power circuit configured to receive the dc bus and provide a control power signal to the controller power input.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the output circuit includes an inverter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the output circuit includes a switched snubber.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the dc bus has a magnitude is greater than a magnitude of the control power signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the control power circuit includes a buck converter.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of providing welding type power from a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: receiving a dc bus having a dc magnitude; providing an output power signal derived from the dc bus, wherein the output power signal is a welding type output; and converting the dc bus into control power, wherein the control power has a control power magnitude independent of the dc magnitude; and providing the control power to a controller configured to control the output power.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of providing welding type power from a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: receiving a dc bus having a dc magnitude; providing an output power signal derived from the dc bus, wherein the output power signal is a welding type output; and converting the dc bus into control power, wherein the control power has a control power magnitude independent of the dc magnitude; and providing the control power to a controller configured to control the output power.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of starting to provide welding type power from a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: receiving an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude; providing a first dc signal having a first dc magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; deriving a second dc voltage having a second dc magnitude less than the first dc magnitude controlling a control converter with the second dc voltage to produce a control dc voltage; controlling an output converter with the control dc voltage to produce an output signal.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of starting to provide welding type power from a range of input voltages and frequencies, comprising: receiving an input power signal having an input frequency and an input magnitude; providing a first dc signal having a first dc magnitude responsive to the input magnitude; deriving a second dc voltage having a second dc magnitude less than the first dc magnitude controlling a control converter with the second dc voltage to produce a control dc voltage; controlling an output converter with the control dc voltage to produce an output signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4104724A
Cited
US4280041A
Cited
US4473734A
Cited
US4985612A
Cited
US5166491A
Cited
US5189277A
Cited
US5272313A
Cited
US5319533A
Cited
US5315089A
Cited
US5406050A
Cited
US5520611A
Cited
US5601741A
Cited
US5824990A
Cited
US5811757A
Cited
US5821491A
Cited
US5837968A
Cited
US6067241A
Cited
US6054674A
Cited
US6051806A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-10 | 2005-06-11 | 2005-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | 2009-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-10 | 2013-06-11 | 2013-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |