METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR HARVESTING WELD CABLE ENERGY TO POWER WELDING SUBSYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A system for harvesting energy from a weld cable, comprising:
- an energy harvesting device positioned proximate to the weld cable and configured to inductively draw electrical energy from the weld cable;
a rectifier electrically coupled to the energy harvesting device and configured to convert the electrical energy harvested from the weld cable into a direct electrical current; and
a voltage regulator electrically coupled to the rectifier, wherein the voltage regulator is configured to receive the direct electrical current from the rectifier and to convert the direct electrical current received from the rectifier to a desired voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for harvesting energy from a weld cable including an energy harvesting device positioned proximate to the weld cable and configured to inductively draw electrical energy from the weld cable. The energy harvesting system also includes a rectifier electrically coupled to the energy harvesting device and configured to convert the electrical energy harvested from the weld cable into a direct electrical current. Additionally, the energy harvesting system includes a voltage regulator electrically coupled to the rectifier. The voltage regulator is configured to receive the direct electrical current from the rectifier and to convert the direct electrical current received from the rectifier to a desired voltage.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for harvesting energy from a weld cable, comprising:
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an energy harvesting device positioned proximate to the weld cable and configured to inductively draw electrical energy from the weld cable; a rectifier electrically coupled to the energy harvesting device and configured to convert the electrical energy harvested from the weld cable into a direct electrical current; and a voltage regulator electrically coupled to the rectifier, wherein the voltage regulator is configured to receive the direct electrical current from the rectifier and to convert the direct electrical current received from the rectifier to a desired voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A welding system, comprising:
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a welding power supply unit configured to supply electrical energy via a weld cable; an energy harvesting device positioned proximate to the weld cable and configured to draw electrical energy from the weld cable without direct electrical contact with the weld cable; a voltage regulator and controller configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy harvesting device; a welding accessory comprising a wireless transceiver, wherein the welding accessory is configured to receive and consume electrical energy from the voltage regulator and controller; and an energy storage element configured to receive and store electrical energy received from the voltage regulator and controller. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for harvesting energy from a weld cable, comprising:
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positioning an energy harvesting device proximate to the weld cable, wherein the energy harvesting device is configured to inductively harvest energy from electrical current through the weld cable; transferring the energy to a voltage regulator configured to convert the energy to a desired voltage; and outputting the desired voltage to an energy-consuming device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification