Control panels for power systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017246700-A1
Application number	US-201715444789-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 28, 2017
Priority date	Feb 29, 2016
Publication date	Aug 31, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Control panels for welding systems are disclosed. An example power system for a vehicle includes a generator to generate electrical power and to be installed on the vehicle; a first case component configured to be attached to a surface of the vehicle; and a second case component configured to be attached to the first case component to form an enclosure, the second case component comprising: a user control device configured to receive a user input for controlling an output of the generator; and an electrical output configured to output at least a portion of the electrical power generated by the generator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A power system for a vehicle, comprising:
a generator to generate electrical power and to be installed on the vehicle; a first case component configured to be attached to a surface of the vehicle; and a second case component configured to be attached to the first case component to form an enclosure, the second case component comprising:
a user control device configured to receive a user input for controlling an output of the generator; and
an electrical output configured to output at least a portion of the electrical power generated by the generator.

2 . The power system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second case component comprises electrical conversion circuitry configured to receive the electrical power from the generator and to provide converted electrical power to the electrical output.

3 . The power system as defined in claim 2 , wherein the electrical output comprises an electrical outlet to output the electrical power.

4 . The power system as defined in claim 3 , wherein the electrical output comprises at least one of a 120V alternating current output, a 240V alternating current output, a 24V direct current output, or a 12V direct current output.

5 . The power system as defined in claim 3 , wherein the user control device comprises a selection switch to control an output voltage of the electrical output.

6 . The power system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the electrical output comprises a welding output connector.

7 . The power system as defined in claim 6 , further comprising a welding circuit configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to welding-type power, the welding output connector to output the welding-type power.

8 . The power system as defined in claim 7 , wherein the user control device comprises a welding control input configured to control the welding circuit.

9 . The power system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second case component is configured to hold a control circuit inside of the enclosure when the second case component is attached to the first case component.

10 . The power system as defined in claim 9 , wherein the second case component is configured to be detachable from the first case component to enable access to the control circuit.

11 . The power system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first and second case components comprise sheet metal or rigid plastic.

12 . The power system as defined in claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more cables coupling the generator to the electrical output, the one or more cables extending through the second case component and not extending through the first case component; and integrated strain relievers physically coupling the one or more cables to the second case component to reduce physical strain on the one or more cables.

13 . The power system as defined in claim 12 , wherein the one or more cables comprise one or more of:
an alternating current cable connected between a winding of the generator and at least one of a transformer or an alternating current outlet on the second case component; a direct current cable connected to a direct current outlet on the second case component; weld conductors connected to welding output connectors on the second case component; or a control cable comprising one or more conductors connected between a control unit in the second case component and at least one of the generator, a welding circuit, a compressor, or a hydraulic pump.

14 . A control panel for a vehicle power system, comprising:
a first portion of an enclosure configured to be mounted to a vehicle; and a second portion of the enclosure comprising a control interface, at least one of the control interface or a control circuit coupled to the control interface configured to be coupled to the vehicle power system via one or more cables, and the second portion of the enclosure configured to be attached to the first portion of the enclosure to complete the enclosure and to mount the control interface to the vehicle.

15 . The control panel as defined in claim 14 , wherein the control interface comprises an electrical outlet to output electrical power from the vehicle power system.

16 . The control panel as defined in claim 15 , wherein the electrical outlet comprises at least one of a 120V alternating current output, a 240V alternating current output, a 24V direct current output, or a 12V direct current output.

17 . The control panel as defined in claim 14 , wherein the second portion of the enclosure comprises cable strain relievers to reduce stress on the one or more cables.

18 . The control panel as defined in claim 14 , wherein the control circuit is configured to be hard wired to the one or more cables.

19 . The control panel as defined in claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first portion of the enclosure or the second portion of the enclosure comprises a protective protrusion to reduce impacts on the control interface.

20 . The control panel as defined in claim 14 , wherein the second portion of the enclosure is detachable from the first portion of the enclosure to reduce a weight of the control panel during installation of the first portion of the enclosure, and is attachable to the first portion of the enclosure to mount the control interface onto the vehicle.

21 . The control panel as defined in claim 14 , wherein the second portion of the enclosure is configured to be detachable from the first portion of the enclosure to enable access to at least one circuit contained within the enclosure.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Jochman Nathan Joe

Classifications

• F02B63/06

  for pumps · CPC title

• H02G3/0406

  Details thereof (installation or suspension of conduit channels and other supports H02G3/263) · CPC title

• B60P3/14

  the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work (lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04) · CPC title

• B23K9/1075 Primary

  Parallel power supply, i.e. multiple power supplies or multiple inverters supplying a single arc or welding current · CPC title

• F02B63/04

  for electric generators · CPC title