SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMITING WELDING OUTPUT AND ANCILLARY FEATURES

• US 20110309053A1
• Filed: 05/11/2011
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Baus, George Harold
• Granted Patent: US 10,773,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/108
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/095 Monitoring or automatic control of welding parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1062 with computing means

Abstract

A system and method for limiting welding output and ancillary features is provided. In one embodiment, a portable generator system includes a power generator configured to generate electrical power appropriate for welding or plasma cutting. The generator system also includes power conversion circuitry coupled to the power generator and configured to receive power from the power generator and to provide output power. The generator system includes at least operator accessible input for receiving an operator input parameter. The generator system also includes an output power limiting device not adjustable by the operator and configured to selectively limit output power from the power conversion circuitry.

Claims

1. A portable generator system comprising:

a power generator configured to generate electrical power appropriate for welding or plasma cutting;

power conversion circuitry coupled to the power generator and configured to receive power from the power generator and to provide output power;

at least one operator accessible input for receiving an operator input parameter; and

an output power limiting device not adjustable by the operator and configured to selectively limit output power from the power conversion circuitry.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the output power limiting device is configured to limit at least one of power level, current level and voltage level of the output power.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the output power limiting device is configured to limit use of at least one of a plurality of welding processes.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising an internal combustion engine coupled to the power generator and configured to drive the power generator.

5. The system of claim 4, comprising a hydraulic system coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine, and wherein the output power limiting device is configured to limit use of the hydraulic system.

6. The system of claim 4, comprising an air compressor coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine, and wherein the output power limiting device is configured to inhibit use of the air compressor.

7. The system of claim 1, comprising a light system output coupled to the power conversion circuitry and configured to receive power from the power conversion circuitry, wherein the output power limiting device is configured to inhibit use of the light system output.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the output power limiting device comprises a physical switch.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the output power limiting device comprises an electronic switch.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the output power limiting device comprises control circuitry coupled to a wireless receiver and the output power limiting device is configured to receive a wireless signal to control the output power limiting device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the output power limiting device is configured to inhibit welding power from being used.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the power conversion circuitry is configured to provide an auxiliary power for powering an electrical device and the output power limiting device is configured to inhibit auxiliary power from being used.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the output power limiting device is configured to limit output power using a predetermined usage time.

15. The system of claim 1, comprising an air compressor coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine, and means not adjustable by the operator for inhibiting use of the air compressor.

16. The system of claim 1, comprising a hydraulic system coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine, and means not adjustable by the operator for inhibiting use of the hydraulic system.

14. A portable engine-driven generator system comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a power generator coupled to the internal combustion engine and configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine;

means adjustable by an operator for controlling output power of the power generator; and

means not adjustable by the operator for selectively limiting output power from the power generator for use in the welding operation.

17. A welding power supply limiting method comprising:

receiving a rental request from a customer for a portable engine-driven generator system;

determining portions of the portable engine-driven generator system to limit using parameters from the customer; and

configuring the portable engine-driven generator system to limit the determined portions of the portable engine-driven generator system using an interface not accessible to the customer.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the portions of the portable engine-driven generator system include at least one of welding power, auxiliary power, light system, hydraulic system, and air compressor.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the interface comprises a key.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the interface comprises wireless communication.