US6348671B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Welder with engine power and utility power input
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-23
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Granted: 2002-02-19
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Expires: 2019-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing welding power includes a power supply that receives utility and engine power. The power supply has an engine power input and a utility power input. One of the engine power input and the utility power input is selectively connected to the power supply in response to a mode select input, controlled by an input selector. The input selector may include a user selectable input, such as a sensor circuit or a user switch on a welder control panel, preferably a three position switch having an engine mode position, a utility mode position and an off position in various alternatives. The engine is disabled when utility power is selected. Disabling the engine includes one or more of cutting the field current, starter current, and/or battery current. The power supply may include an inverter, chopper, and/or a phase controlled device. The welder is preferably a single-package, stand-alone welder, and/or includes an engine/generator having a welding and an auxiliary output.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Fosbinder
- 👤 William Sullivan
- 👤 Richard Beeson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:35
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/10; B23K9/1006; B23K9/1043; B23K9/1056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A welder comprising: a power supply, having a power supply input and a power output; an input circuit having an engine power input and a utility power input, and wherein one of the engine power input and the utility power input is selectively connected to the power supply input in response to a mode select input; an input selector, connected to the mode select input, having an engine mode and a utility mode; and an engine/generator having an electrical output connected to the engine power input, and having an engine disable input, and wherein the input circuit includes a disable output, and wherein the disable output is connected to the disable input when the input selector is in the utility mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A welder comprising: a power supply, having a power supply input and a power output; an input circuit having an engine power input and a utility power input, and wherein one of the engine power input and the utility power input is selectively connected to the power supply input in response to a mode select input; an input selector, connected to the mode select input, having an engine mode and a utility mode; and an engine/generator having an electrical output connected to the engine power input, and having an engine disable input, and wherein the input circuit includes a disable output, and wherein the disable output is connected to the disable input when the input selector is in the utility mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input selector includes a user selectable input.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the user selectable input is a user switch on a welder control panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the user switch is a three position switch having an engine mode position, a utility mode position and an off position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the welder further comprises an auxiliary power output disposed to derive power from the engine/generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input selector includes a sensor circuit, disposed to sense and provide the mode select input in response to the presence, absence or other parameter of utility power being provided to the utility power input.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input selector includes a sensor circuit, disposed to sense and provide the mode select input in response to the presence, absence, or a parameter of engine power being provided to the engine power input.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
A welder comprising: a power supply, having a power supply input and a power output; an input circuit having an engine power input and a utility power input, and wherein one of the engine power input and the utility power input is selectively connected to the power supply input in response to a mode select input; an input selector, connected to the mode select input, having an engine mode and a utility mode, wherein the input selector includes a user selectable input that is a user switch on a welder control panel, further wherein the user switch is a three position switch having an engine mode position, a utility mode position and an off position; and an engine/generator having an electrical output connected to the engine power input, and having an engine disable input, and wherein the input circuit includes a disable output, and wherein the disable output is connected to the disable input when the user switch is in the utility position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
A welder comprising: a power supply, having a power supply input and a power output; an input circuit having an engine power input and a utility power input, and wherein one of the engine power input and the utility power input is selectively connected to the power supply input in response to a mode select input; an input selector, connected to the mode select input, having an engine mode and a utility mode, wherein the input selector includes a user selectable input that is a user switch on a welder control panel, further wherein the user switch is a three position switch having an engine mode position, a utility mode position and an off position; and an engine/generator having an electrical output connected to the engine power input, and having an engine disable input, and wherein the input circuit includes a disable output, and wherein the disable output is connected to the disable input when the user switch is in the utility position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the power supply includes an inverter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the welder is a single-package, stand-alone, welder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the power supply includes a chopper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the power supply includes a phase controlled device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the disable input includes a field current cut-off circuit, responsive to the disable output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the disable input includes a starter cut-off circuit, responsive to the disable output.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the engine control circuit includes a battery cut-off circuit, responsive the disable output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
89 words
A welder comprising: power supply means for receiving a power supply input and providing a power supply output; engine power input means for providing an engine power input; utility power input means for providing a utility power input; a mode select means for selectively connecting one of the engine power input means and utility power input means to the power supply input; an engine/generator means for generating and providing power to the engine power input means; and means for disabling the engine generator, responsive to the mode select means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
A welder comprising: power supply means for receiving a power supply input and providing a power supply output; engine power input means for providing an engine power input; utility power input means for providing a utility power input; a mode select means for selectively connecting one of the engine power input means and utility power input means to the power supply input; an engine/generator means for generating and providing power to the engine power input means; and means for disabling the engine generator, responsive to the mode select means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the mode select means includes a user selectable input.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the mode select means includes a user switch on a welder control panel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the mode select means includes means for sensing the presence, absence, or other parameter of utility power being provided to the utility power input, and for causing the mode select means to selectively connect.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
111 words
A welder comprising: power supply means for receiving a power supply input and providing a power supply output; engine power input means for providing an engine power input; utility power input means for providing a utility power input; a mode select means for selectively connecting one of the engine power input means and utility power input means to the power supply input; wherein the mode select means includes a user selectable input that includes a user switch on a welder control panel; and an engine/generator means for generating and providing power to the engine power input means, and means for disabling the engine generator, and responsive to the mode select means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
111 words
A welder comprising: power supply means for receiving a power supply input and providing a power supply output; engine power input means for providing an engine power input; utility power input means for providing a utility power input; a mode select means for selectively connecting one of the engine power input means and utility power input means to the power supply input; wherein the mode select means includes a user selectable input that includes a user switch on a welder control panel; and an engine/generator means for generating and providing power to the engine power input means, and means for disabling the engine generator, and responsive to the mode select means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the power supply means includes an inverter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the power supply means includes a chopper.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the power supply means includes a phase controlled device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the means for disabling includes means for disrupting field current power.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the means for disabling includes means for disrupting battery power.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of providing welding power, comprising: selecting an engine or utility mode; selecting between one of engine power input and utility power as an input power in response to the selected mode; converting the input power to welding power; generating electrical power and providing the electrical power as the engine power input, when the engine mode is selected; and disabling the generated electrical power when the utility mode is selected.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of providing welding power, comprising: selecting an engine or utility mode; selecting between one of engine power input and utility power as an input power in response to the selected mode; converting the input power to welding power; generating electrical power and providing the electrical power as the engine power input, when the engine mode is selected; and disabling the generated electrical power when the utility mode is selected.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein selecting an engine or utility mode includes responding to a user selectable input.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein selecting an engine or utility mode includes responding to a user switch on a welder control panel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising sensing the presence, absence, or other parameter of utility power being provided to the utility power input.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising sensing the presence or absence of engine power being provided to the engine power input.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of providing welding power, comprising: selecting an engine or utility mode; selecting between one of engine power input and utility power as an input power in response to the selected mode; disabling the one of engine power input and utility power as an input power not selected; converting the input power to welding power; wherein selecting an engine or utility mode includes responding to a user selectable input and responding to a user switch on a welder control panel; generating electrical power and providing the electrical power as the engine power input, when the engine mode is selected; and disabling the generated output, when the utility mode is selected.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of providing welding power, comprising: selecting an engine or utility mode; selecting between one of engine power input and utility power as an input power in response to the selected mode; disabling the one of engine power input and utility power as an input power not selected; converting the input power to welding power; wherein selecting an engine or utility mode includes responding to a user selectable input and responding to a user switch on a welder control panel; generating electrical power and providing the electrical power as the engine power input, when the engine mode is selected; and disabling the generated output, when the utility mode is selected.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein converting the input includes inverting the input.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein converting the input includes chopping the input.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein disabling the generated output includes disrupting a field current.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein disabling the generated output includes disrupting battery power.
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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) | 2005-02-18 | 2005-08-20 | 2006-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-18 | 2009-08-20 | 2010-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-18 | 2013-08-20 | 2014-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |