Variable speed engine driven generator for providing welding and auxiliary power

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10751827-B2
Application number	US-201615245885-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 24, 2016
Priority date	Aug 24, 2016
Publication date	Aug 25, 2020
Grant date	Aug 25, 2020

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power derives motive power from a variable speed engine and driving a variable frequency generator with the motive power to provide a generator output. The generator output is preregulated to provide an intermediate signal, and the preregulating is controlled at least in response to feedback indicative of the welding-type output power. Welding-type output power is derived from the bus, and controlled at least in response to the welding feedback. Auxiliary output power is also derived from the bus, and controlled at least in response to feedback indicative of the auxiliary output power. The speed of the engine is controlled at least in response to one of the auxiliary feedback and the welding feedback. Energy produced by the engine that is not used as an output is stored by batteries. When the output exceeds the energy generated, the difference is supplied by the batteries.

First claim

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A welding-type power supply, comprising:
a variable speed engine that provides motive power;
a variable frequency generator that is connected to receive the motive power, and that provides a generator output;
a preregulator connected to the generator output, and connected to provide an intermediate signal to a bus;
a welding-type output power circuit disposed to receive power from the bus and provide a welding-type output power;
an auxiliary power circuit, disposed to receive power from the bus and to provide an auxiliary output power; and
a controller comprising circuitry configured to:
receive welding feedback indicative of the welding-type output power,
receive auxiliary feedback indicative of the auxiliary output power, and
receive engine feedback indicative of the engine RPM, the controller comprising:
a welding control output connected to the welding-type output power circuit;
an auxiliary control output connected to the auxiliary power circuit;
an engine control output connected to the engine;
a preregulator control output connected to the preregulator;
a welding control module comprising circuitry configured to:
receive at least the welding feedback,
provide a control signal to the welding control output in response to the welding feedback, and
limit the welding-type output power in response to engine RPM;

an auxiliary control module comprising circuitry configured to:
receive at least the auxiliary feedback,
provide a control signal to the auxiliary control output in response to the auxiliary feedback, and
limit the auxiliary output power in response to engine RPM;

an engine control module comprising circuitry that-configured to:
receive at least the welding feedback and the auxiliary feedback, and
provide a control signal to the engine control output in response to at least one of the welding feedback or the auxiliary feedback; and

a preregulator control module comprising circuitry configured to:
receive at least the welding feedback and the engine feedback, and
provide a control signal to the preregulator control output in response to at least one of the welding feedback or the engine feedback, and
selectively limit the preregulator output power based on the engine RPM to avoid overloading the engine.

2. The welding-type power supply of claim 1 , further comprising:
an energy storage device; and
a bidirectional charger/discharger connected between the bus and the energy storage device.

3. The welding-type power supply of claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a user override input provided to the engine control module, wherein the engine control module causes the engine to run at a steady state maximum RPM.

4. The welding-type power supply of claim 1 , wherein the engine control module calls for an increased engine speed when at least one of a welding process and an auxiliary process is initiated.

5. The welding-type power supply of claim 4 , wherein the controller limits at least one of the welding process and the auxiliary process if the engine speed is less than a desired speed.

6. The welding-type power supply of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further connected to cause energy stored in the energy storage device to be provided to the bus.

7. The welding-type power supply of claim 2 , wherein the energy storage device includes at least one of a battery, a lead acid battery, and a capacitor.

8. The welding-type power supply of claim 6 , wherein the energy storage device is able to store an amount of energy that is at least as much as an acceleration deficit for at least one of: accelerating from off to an idle speed, accelerating from off to a steady state maximum speed, and accelerating from the idle speed to the maximum steady state speed.

9. The welding-type power supply of claim 6 , wherein the energy storage device is able to store an amount of energy that is at least as much as a hot start energy.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Batzler Todd Gerald

Classifications

• B23K9/1006 Primary

  Power supply · CPC title

• B23K9/1081

  Arc welding by means of accumulated energy · CPC title

• B23K9/1043 Primary

  characterised by the electric circuit (B23K9/1012 takes precedence) · CPC title