Cooling system for arc welding

• US 20050029241A1
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miao Spear, Theresa Chih-Lei
• Granted Patent: US 7,005,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/130.100
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/10 Other electric circuits therefor; Protective circuits; Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1006 Power supply

Abstract

An electric arc welder with an internal compartment containing heat generating electrical components where the compartment has an end wall defining the outlet wall of a plenum chamber and the end wall has large, unimpeded outlet openings. The plenum chamber having an inlet wall with an air opening and including an air moving device with an axial inlet ring and a radial discharge impeller mounted on the inlet wall over the air opening to pressurize air in the plenum chamber to force air from the outlet opening at a velocity exceeding about 2000 ft/min.

Claims

1. An electric arc welder with an internal compartment containing heat generating electrical components, said compartment having an end wall defining the outlet wall of a plenum chamber and having large, unimpeded outlet openings with a combined first area, said chamber having an inlet wall with an air opening having a second area;

said inlet wall and outlet wall being generally parallel to define a given volume for said plenum chamber; and

, an air moving device with an axial inlet ring and a radial discharge impeller mounted on said inlet wall over said air opening to pressurize air in said plenum chamber to force air from said outlet opening at a velocity exceeding about 2000 ft/min.

2. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 1 wherein said air moving device is mounted in said plenum chamber with said inlet ring over said air opening.

3. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of said electrical components is mounted on a heat sink and including an air duct extending from one of said outlet openings toward said heat sink.

4. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said electrical components is mounted on a heat sink and including an air duct extending from one of said outlet openings toward said heat sink.

5. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 4 wherein said outlet wall has two spaced outlet openings.

6. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 2 wherein said outlet wall has two spaced outlet openings.

7. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 1 wherein said outlet wall has two spaced outlet openings.

8. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 7 wherein said openings are generally rectangular.

9. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 6 wherein said openings are generally rectangular.

10. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 4 wherein said outlet opening is generally rectangular.

11. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 3 wherein said outlet opening is generally rectangular.

12. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 11 wherein said first area is greater than said second area.

13. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 12 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

14. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 10 wherein said first area is greater than said second area.

15. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 14 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

16. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 8 wherein said first area is greater than said second area.

17. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 16 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

18. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 7 wherein said first area is greater than said second area.

19. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 18 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

20. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 4 wherein said first area is greater than said second area.

21. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 20 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

22. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 2 wherein said first area is greater than said second area.

23. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 22 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

24. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 1 wherein said first area is greater than said second area.

25. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 24 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

26. An electric art welder as defined in claim 25 wherein said velocity is in the general range of 3000 ft/min.

27. An electric art welder as defined in claim 24 wherein said velocity is in the general range of 3000 ft/min.

28. An electric art welder as defined in claim 2 wherein said velocity is in the general range of 3000 ft/min.

29. An electric art welder as defined in claim 1 wherein said velocity is in the general range of 3000 ft/min.

30. A cooling system for the cabinet of an electric arc welder, said system comprising:

a plenum chamber with an outlet wall;

an air inlet; and

, an air moving device communicated with said air inlet to pressurize said plenum chamber, said outlet wall having spaced apart outlet openings directed into said cabinet wherein said air moving device pressurizing said chamber to create a velocity of flow from said outlet openings exceeding about 2000 ft/min.

31. A cooling system as defined in claim 30 wherein said air moving device is mounted in said plenum chamber.

32. A cooling system as defined in claim 30 wherein said outlet openings having a first combined area and said air inlet has a second area less than said first area.

33. A cooling system as defined in claim 32 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

34. A cooling system as defined in claim 30 wherein said outlet openings having a first combined area and said air inlet has a second area less than said first area.

35. A cooling system as defined in claim 34 wherein said first area is greater than said second area by an amount in the range of 5%-20%.

36. An electric arc welder with an internal compartment containing heat generating electrical components, said compartment having an end wall defining the outlet wall of a plenum chamber and having large, unimpeded outlet openings;

said chamber having an inlet wall with an air opening; and

, an air moving device with an axial inlet ring and a radial discharge impeller mounted on said inlet wall over said air opening to pressurize air in said plenum chamber to force air from said outlet opening at a velocity exceeding about 2000 ft/min.

37. An electric arc welder, as defined in claim 36 wherein said air moving device is mounted in said plenum chamber with said inlet ring over said air opening.

38. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 36 wherein said outlet wall has two spaced outlet openings.

39. An electric arc welder as defined in claim 38 wherein said openings are generally rectangular.