Portable generator and battery charger verification control method and system

• US 20090008374A1
• Filed: 07/06/2007
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Fosbinder, Daniel C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,759,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/130.210
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/10 Other electric circuits therefor; Protective circuits; Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1006 Power supply

Abstract

A system, in one embodiment, may include a portable welding unit having an engine, a generator coupled to the engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a smart battery charger coupled to the generator. A system, in another embodiment, may include a battery charger, wherein the battery charger is configured to monitor a temperature of a battery, an ambient temperature, a battery charge time, or a combination thereof. A system, in a further embodiment, may include at least one circuit having a welding control circuit and a battery charge circuit. The battery charge circuit may be configured to adjust an output based on a battery type, a battery voltage rating, a sensed feedback, a battery test, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a portable welding unit, comprising;

an engine;

a generator coupled to the engine;

a compressor coupled to the engine; and

a smart battery charger coupled to the generator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart battery charger is configured to automatically adjust a charging output, a jump start output, or both, in response to feedback associated with charging a battery

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart battery charger comprises a plurality of charging modes that are executable based on user input, automatic closed loop control, or a combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart battery charger comprises a plurality of user inputs including a battery type selector, a battery voltage selector, a battery function selector, or a combination thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart battery charger is configured to monitor battery temperature, battery voltage, battery current, ambient temperature, or a combination thereof, and the smart battery charger is configured to execute logic based on monitored parameters.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart battery charger comprises battery test logic configured to test battery performance, or capability of a battery to retain a charge, or a combination thereof.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart battery charger comprises battery reconditioning logic.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart battery charger is configured to apply a current to a battery and to measure a voltage of the battery after the current is applied.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the smart battery charger is configured to measure a voltage of a battery after a duration of time has elapsed without a current applied to the battery.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the smart battery charger is configured to stop applying the current to the battery if the voltage of the battery after the duration is not greater than the voltage of the battery before the duration.

11. The system of claim 1, comprising a control panel having a welding control, a battery charging control, a jump starting control, or a combination thereof.

12. A system comprising:

a battery charger, wherein the battery charger is configured to monitor a temperature of a battery, an ambient temperature, a battery charge time, or a combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the battery charger is configured to measure a current and a voltage of the battery and compare the measurements to a reference.

14. The system of claim 12, comprising a generator coupled to the battery charger.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the battery charger is configured to adjust a current applied to the battery based on the temperature of the battery, the ambient temperature, the battery charge time, or a combination thereof.

16. The system of claim 12, comprising a welding unit having the battery charger and an air compressor, or a generator, or a combination thereof.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the battery charger comprises battery test logic, battery conditioning logic, closed loop charge control, or a combination thereof.

18. A system comprising:

at least one circuit comprising a welding control circuit and a battery charge circuit, wherein the battery charge circuit is configured to adjust an output based on a battery type, a battery voltage rating, a sensed feedback, a battery test, or a combination thereof.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one circuit comprises a processor and memory.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the sensed feedback comprises a temperature of a battery, an ambient temperature, a battery charge level, a response to an applied current or an applied voltage, or a combination thereof.

21. The system of claim 18, comprising a welding unit comprising an engine coupled to a generator and a compressor, wherein the at least one circuit is coupled to the generator.