Apparatus for a welding machine having a cooling assembly mounted to a mid-plane baffle for improved cooling within the welding machine
First Claim
1. A welding apparatus comprising:
- a housing defined by a first and a second panel, a base plate, and a top cover plate;
a baffle extending from the first panel to the second panel, the baffle being disposed within the housing to define a top compartment and a bottom compartment within the housing;
a sectioning plate extending from one of the base plate and the top cover plate to the baffle; and
a fan configured to dissipate heat within the housing, the fan being supported by the baffle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mid-plane baffle or plate having a fan mounted thereto to dissipate heat within a welding machine is provided. By centrally positioning a baffle and mounting a circulating fan thereto, cooling efficiency is improved thereby enabling more direct cooling of the internal components of the welding machine. The baffle also reduces the critical volume of the welding machine and allows the fan to operate more efficiently and pull an increased amount of cooler ambient air through the machine which creates a greater cooling effect during the cooling cycle of the machine. The baffle placement also improves welding start performance by operating as a barrier between the high frequency/high voltage components and the PC board (control electronics) of the welding machine. The baffle also improves flexibility of component placement within the welding machine.
31 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A welding apparatus comprising:
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a housing defined by a first and a second panel, a base plate, and a top cover plate;
a baffle extending from the first panel to the second panel, the baffle being disposed within the housing to define a top compartment and a bottom compartment within the housing;
a sectioning plate extending from one of the base plate and the top cover plate to the baffle; and
a fan configured to dissipate heat within the housing, the fan being supported by the baffle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A welding machine comprising:
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a front panel and a back panel;
a base plate and a top plate connecting the front panel and the back panel to form a housing;
a cross plate parallel to the base plate and the top plate such that the cross plate defines a first volume and a second volume within the housing;
a fan assembly supported by the cross plate to circulate air in the first and the second volumes; and
a box disposed in the second volume, the box being defined by a pair of sectioning plates. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a welding machine with improved cooling efficiency, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting a first panel and a second panel to opposite ends of a base plate;
connecting a baffle plate having an opening parallel to the base plate such that the baffle plate generally bisects a height of each panel to form a first volume and a second volume;
connecting at least one sectioning plate between the baffle plate and the base plate;
positioning a fan in the baffle plate opening, the fan being configured to circulate air in the first and the second volumes; and
connecting a cover plate between the first panel and the second panel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A welding-type apparatus comprising:
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a housing defined by a first and a second panel, a base plate, and a top cover plate;
a plurality of welding-type sockets disposed in the first panel, each welding-type socket configured to receive a welding-type component connector;
a plate extending from the first panel to the second panel, the plate being disposed within the housing to define a top compartment and a bottom compartment within the housing; and
at least one orifice formed in the plate to allow air communication between at least one of the top and the bottom compartment. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A welding apparatus comprising:
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a housing having a pair of panels connected to a base and a cover;
a baffle connected to the pair of panels and bisecting the housing so as to define a top volume and a bottom volume within the housing, the baffle having a fan assembly mounted thereto such that the fan assembly is situated co-planer with the baffle; and
a high frequency transformer assembly mounted within the bottom volume. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification