Arc stop

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018056425-A1
Application number	US-201715683947-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 23, 2017
Priority date	Aug 31, 2016
Publication date	Mar 1, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Various embodiments may be generally directed to a welding system that monitors an output of the welding system to determine if an output arc should be extinguished or maintained. The welding system can compare an arc voltage output to a voltage threshold and a temporal threshold. When the arc voltage output exceeds the voltage threshold in an uninterrupted manner for the duration of the temporal threshold, an output weld current can be stopped. In turn, the output arc can be broken or extinguished. After a predetermined amount of time, the power source can be re-engaged to prepare for re-ignition of another arc. By tracking the amount of time the arc voltage output exceeds the predetermined threshold, a probability of unwanted arc outs can be reduced or minimized while still providing quick and reliable arc breaking when desired.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:
monitoring an output arc voltage of a welding system; comparing the output arc voltage to a voltage threshold level; triggering a timer when the output arc voltage exceeds the voltage threshold level; and stopping an output weld current of the welding system when a value of the timer exceeds a temporal threshold, otherwise maintain an output arc with the output weld current.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising extinguishing the output arc in response to the output arc voltage exceeding the voltage threshold level for an uninterrupted period of time that is greater than the temporal threshold.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted statically.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted dynamically.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted based on a type of material to be welded.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted based on an expected current range.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted based on a welding process.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted based on a type of welding to be implemented.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted based on an electrode used during a welding process.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted based on an output current.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted based on an output power.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage threshold level and the temporal threshold are adjusted based on a user.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein stopping the output weld current of the welding system comprises shutting down a power source.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the power source is turned back on after a predetermined delay.

15 . A method, comprising:
generating an output arc with a welding system; filtering the output arc according to a number of filter parameters to determine when the output arc is to be extinguished, wherein the filter parameters include one or more of an amount of time, an output current, an output voltage, an output power, and a type of material being welded.

16 . A welding system, comprising:
an output monitor; and a control module coupled to the output monitor; wherein the output monitor is configured to:
monitor an output arc voltage of the welding system;
compare the output arc voltage to a voltage threshold level; and
trigger a timer when the output arc voltage exceeds the voltage threshold level; and
wherein the control module is configured to:
stop an output weld current of the welding system when a value of the timer exceeds a temporal threshold, otherwise maintain an output arc with the output weld current.

17 . The welding system of claim 16 , wherein the control module is configured to extinguish the output arc in response to the output arc voltage exceeding the voltage threshold level for an uninterrupted period of time that is greater than the temporal threshold.

18 . The welding system of claim 16 , wherein the control module is configured to stop the output weld current of the welding system by shutting down a power source.

19 . The welding system of claim 18 , wherein the control module is configured to re-engage the power source for re-ignition of another output arc after a predetermined amount of time following shutting down the power source.

Assignees

• Esab Ab

Inventors

• Aberg Per
• Toftling Johan
• Pettersson Mikael
• Lennartsson Jakob

Classifications

• B23K10/006

  Control circuits therefor · CPC title

• B23K9/0956 Primary

  using sensing means, e.g. optical · CPC title

• B23K9/067

  Starting the arc · CPC title

• B23K9/095 Primary

  Monitoring or automatic control of welding parameters · CPC title