Wireless communication network association and security for control of industrial equipment in harsh environments
First Claim
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1. A system, comprising:
- a master node device comprising;
communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network;
control circuitry configured to associate the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network; and
means for manually initiating association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network, wherein the means for manually initiating association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network comprises a synchronization mechanism that initiates association of a welding-related device with the short-range wireless communication network when activated simultaneously with a synchronization mechanism of the welding-related device.
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Abstract
In certain embodiments, a system includes a master node device. The master node device includes communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network. The master node device also includes control circuitry configured to associate the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network. The master node device further includes means for manually initiating association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
a master node device comprising; communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network; control circuitry configured to associate the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network; and means for manually initiating association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network, wherein the means for manually initiating association of the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network comprises a synchronization mechanism that initiates association of a welding-related device with the short-range wireless communication network when activated simultaneously with a synchronization mechanism of the welding-related device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method, comprising:
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manually initiating association of one or more welding-related devices with a short-range wireless communication network having a master node device functioning as a router and prioritization controller for the short-range wireless communication network, wherein manually initiating association of a welding-related device with the short-range wireless communication network comprises activating a synchronization mechanism on the welding-related device and simultaneously activating a synchronization mechanism on the master node device; associating the one or more welding-related devices with the short-range wireless communication network; wirelessly communicating between the one or more welding-related devices and the master node device via the short-range wireless communication network; and communicating between the master node device and a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A wireless communication network, comprising:
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one or more welding-related devices, wherein the one or more welding-related devices comprise a welding wire feeder, a welding torch, a welding helmet, a welding pendant, or a welding foot pedal; a welding power supply unit configured to convert power from a power grid to power for a welding operation performed using the one or more welding-related devices; and a master node device configured to facilitate wireless communication between the one or more welding-related devices and the master node device via a short-range wireless communication network, to facilitate communication between the master node device and the welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to associate a welding-related device with the short-range wireless communication network upon simultaneous manual activation of a synchronization mechanism on the welding-related device and a synchronization mechanism on the master node device. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification