Engine driven welder with improved fuel economy

• US 9,573,216 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2014
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Enyedy, Edward, Hruska, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, SANG YEOP
• Application Number:
  US14/477,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20160067809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 219/133, 219/134, 219/136, 219/137.R, 219/137.PS
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0953 using computing means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0956 using sensing means, e.g. optical
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1006 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1043 characterised by the electric circuit B23K9/1012 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/32 Accessories earthing connections H01R
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/08 Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0818 Conditions for starting or stopping the engine or for deactivating the idle-start-stop mode
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0837 Environmental conditions thereof, e.g. traffic, weather or road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

The subject innovation relates to starting and stopping an engine of an engine driven welder based on parameters related to the welder and parameters related to an environment in which the welder operates. In an embodiment, a method for managing a welder engine of an engine driven welder includes continuously monitoring welder parameters related to the engine driven welder, continuously monitoring environmental parameters influencing the welder engine, continuously calculating a restart value based at least in part on the engine parameters and the environmental parameters, continuously monitoring activity related to the engine to maintain an activity history, and stopping the engine based at least in part on the activity history and the restart value being outside a running range. Systems include components for accomplishing such aspects.

Claims

1. A method for managing a welder engine of an engine driven welder, comprising:

continuously monitoring welder parameters related to the engine driven welder;

continuously monitoring environmental parameters influencing the welder engine;

continuously calculating a restart value based at least in part on the welder parameters and the environmental parameters, wherein the restart value indicates a likelihood that the welder engine will restart upon a first restart attempt;

continuously monitoring activity related to the welder engine to maintain an activity history;

comparing the restart value to a running range, wherein the running range comprises a range of restart values for keeping the welder engine running; and

transmitting a stop signal to stop the welder engine based at least in part on the activity history, and the restart value being outside of the running range.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity related to the welder engine includes powering a welding operation.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein welder parameters include fuel consumption.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the welder parameters include a battery charge level and/or a battery health level.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

continuously monitoring auxiliary parameters related to peripheral equipment operatively coupled with the welder engine driven welder,

wherein the restart value is further based at least in part on the auxiliary parameters.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the auxiliary parameters include a pressure value.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising preparing the peripheral equipment for engine shutoff before stopping the welder engine based at least in part on the activity history, and the restart value being outside of the running range.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a restart signal to restart the welder engine when the restart value re-enters the running range.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising overriding the stop signal to leave the welder engine running.

10. An engine driven welder, comprising:

an engine used at least in part to generate electric power for a welding operation;

an engine driven welding system operatively coupled with the engine;

a welder monitor component which monitors welder parameters related to the engine driven welder;

an environmental monitor component which monitors environmental parameters related to an external environment;

an activity monitor component which monitors activity related to the engine driven welder to maintain an activity history; and

a stop-start controller component which calculates a restart value based at least in part on the welder parameters and the environmental parameters, wherein the restart value indicates a likelihood that the engine will restart upon a first restart attempt, and

wherein the stop-start controller component stops or starts the engine based on the activity history, and a comparison of the restart value and a running range, wherein the running range comprises a range of restart values for keeping the engine running.

11. The welder of claim 10, wherein the activity related to the engine includes powering a welding operation.

12. The welder of claim 10, wherein the welder parameters include a battery charge level and/or a battery health level.

13. The welder of claim 10, further comprising:

an auxiliary monitor component which monitors auxiliary parameters related to peripheral equipment operatively coupled with the engine driven welder,

wherein the restart value is further based at least in part on the auxiliary parameters.

14. The welder of claim 13, wherein the auxiliary parameters include a pressure value.

15. The welder of claim 13, further comprising an auxiliary controller that prepares the peripheral equipment for engine shutoff before stopping the engine based at least in part on the activity history, and the restart value being outside of the running range.

16. The welder of claim 13 further comprising an override component that overrides the stop-start controller component with regard to stopping or starting the engine based on the activity history and the comparison of the restart value and the running range.

17. A welding system, comprising:

means for providing power for a welding operation, wherein the means for providing power includes an internal combustion engine;

means for continuously monitoring welder parameters related to the means for providing power for a welding operation;

means for continuously monitoring environmental parameters influencing the means for providing power for the welding operation;

means for continuously calculating a restart value based at least in part on the welder parameters and the environmental parameters, wherein the restart value indicates a likelihood that the internal combustion engine will restart upon a first restart attempt;

means for continuously monitoring activity related to the internal combustion engine to maintain an activity history;

means for comparing the restart value to a running range, wherein the running range comprises a range of restart values for keeping the internal combustion engine running; and

means for stopping the internal combustion engine based at least in part on the activity history, and the restart value being outside of the running range.

18. The welding system of claim 17, further comprising:

means for continuously monitoring auxiliary parameters related to peripheral equipment operatively coupled with the means for providing power for the welding operation,

wherein the restart value is based at least in part on the auxiliary parameters.

19. The welding system of claim 18, further comprising means for preparing the peripheral equipment for engine shutoff before stopping the internal combustion engine based at least in part on the activity history, and the restart value being outside of the running range.

20. The welding system of claim 18, wherein the welder parameters include a battery charge level and/or a battery health level.