Plasma cutter having high power density

• US 8,373,084 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Salsich, Anthony Van Bergen
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCHALL, MARK H
• Application Number:
  US11/960,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20090159571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,882 Days
• Field of Search: 219/121.39, 219/121.44, 219/121.59, 219/121.46, 219/75
• US Class Current: 219/121.36
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 10/00 Welding or cutting by means of a plasma
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for a torch power system having a high power density. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a torch power unit having a compressor and power electronics that include one or more power converters, wherein the torch power unit has a power output density of at least 2 watts per cubic inch, 80 watts per pound, or a combination thereof. A power conversion assembly for a torch power unit is provided that includes a single circuit board, a torch power converter mounted on the single circuit board, and a non-torch power converter mounted on the single circuit board. An electrical torch system is also provided that includes a circuit board and a power converter coupled to the circuit board, wherein the power converter includes a planar transformer, a foil wound transformer, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a torch power unit, comprising;

an enclosure;

a compressor disposed in the enclosure; and

power electronics disposed in the enclosure, wherein the power electronics comprise one or more power converters, wherein the torch power unit has a power output density of at least 2 watts per cubic inch relative to a total volume of the enclosure of the torch power unit, 80 watts per pound relative to a total weight of the torch power unit including the enclosure and its contents, or a combination thereof.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power output density is at least 2.5 watts per cubic inch relative to the total volume and 100 watts per pound relative to the total weight.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power electronics comprise a planar transformer, a foil wound transformer, or a combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising a single circuit board supporting the power electronics including a plurality of power converters, and the plurality of power converters comprises a torch power converter and a compressor power converter.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of power converters comprises a planar transformer integrally wound about the single circuit board supporting the power electronics.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more power converters comprise a torch power converter configured to output at least about 2 kW peak at a switching frequency of at least about 150 kHz.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the torch power converter is configured to output at least about 2.4 kW peak at a switching frequency of at least about 200 kHz.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more power converters comprise a compressor power converter configured to output at least about 200 watts peak at a switching frequency of at least about 150 kHz.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the compressor power converter is configured to output at least about 300 watts peak at a switching frequency of at least about 200 kHz.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the torch power unit comprises a cutting circuit, a welding circuit, an induction heating circuit, or a combination thereof.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the torch power unit comprises a plasma cutting power unit, the compressor is coupled to a motor, the one or more power converters comprise a plasma cutting power converter having a peak output of at least 2 kW at a switching frequency of at least 150 kHz, the one or more power converters comprise a compressor motor power converter having a peak output of at least 200 watts at a switching frequency of at least 150 KHz, the total volume of the enclosure of the torch power unit is less than about 1500 cubic inches, and the total weight of the torch power unit including the enclosure and its contents is less than about 40 pounds.

12. A power conversion assembly for a torch power unit, comprising:

a single circuit board;

a torch power converter mounted on the single circuit board; and

a motor power converter mounted on the single circuit board.

13. The power conversion assembly of claim 12, wherein the motor power converter comprises a compressor motor power converter.

14. The power conversion assembly of claim 12, comprising a third power converter mounted on the single circuit board.

15. The power conversion assembly of claim 12, wherein the torch power converter, the motor power converter, or both, comprises a planar transformer with windings integrally disposed about the single circuit board.

16. The power conversion assembly of claim 12, wherein the torch power converter, the motor power converter, or both, comprises a foil-wound transformer.

17. The power conversion assembly of claim 12, wherein the torch power converter, the motor power converter, or both, comprises at least 200 kHz switching frequencies.

18. The power conversion assembly of claim 12, wherein the torch power converter has a peak output of at least 2.4 kW.

19. A system, comprising:

a circuit board;

a first power converter mounted to the circuit board, wherein the first power converter is configured to convert power for welding, plasma cutting, induction heating, or a combination thereof; and

a second power converter mounted to the circuit board, wherein the second power converter is configured to convert power for a motor, wherein the first or second power converter comprises an output frequency of at least 150 kHz or at least one transformer that is a planar transformer or a foil wound transformer.

20. The system of claim 19, comprising the at least one transformer that is the foil transformer or the planar transformer having windings integrally disposed about the circuit board.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the first or second power converter comprises the output frequency of at least 200 kHz.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the first power converter has a peak output of at least 2.4 kW.

23. A method, comprising:

outputting a peak power density of greater than 2 watts per cubic inch relative to a total volume of an enclosure of a power unit, 80 watts per pound relative to a total weight of the power unit including the enclosure and its contents, or a combination thereof, wherein the power unit comprises a compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, and power electronics all disposed in the enclosure, wherein the power electronics are configured to convert power for the motor and at least one of welding, plasma cutting, or induction heating.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein outputting the peak power density comprises converting power to produce a first peak output of at least 2 kW at a first output frequency of at least 150 kHz for at least one of welding, plasma cutting, or induction heating, wherein outputting the peak power density comprises converting power to produce a second output of at least 200 W at a second output frequency of at least 150 kHz for the motor driving the compressor.

25. A method of manufacturing a torch system, comprising:

integrating torch power electronics and compressor power electronics onto a single circuit board, wherein the torch power electronics and the compressor power electronics comprise at least one of a planar transformer or a foil-wound transformer mounted to the single circuit board for power conversion in both the torch power electronics and the compressor power electronics.