Wireless communication network improved robustness 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 internal communication circuitry of a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with internal wireless communication circuitry of one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network; and
control circuitry configured to continuously improve reliability of communications between the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit and the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices by continuously improving reliability of transmission of data between the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit and the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices by limiting a number of welding-related devices associated with the short-range wireless communication network based at least in part on functionality types of the welding-related devices, wherein the functionality types of the welding-related devices include types of functionality relating to a welding task that the welding-related devices are configured to perform.
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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 continuously improve reliability of wireless communications between the communication circuitry and the one or more welding-related devices via the short-range wireless communication network.
75 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
a master node device comprising; communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with internal communication circuitry of a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with internal wireless communication circuitry of one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network; and control circuitry configured to continuously improve reliability of communications between the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit and the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices by continuously improving reliability of transmission of data between the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit and the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices by limiting a number of welding-related devices associated with the short-range wireless communication network based at least in part on functionality types of the welding-related devices, wherein the functionality types of the welding-related devices include types of functionality relating to a welding task that the welding-related devices are configured to perform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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wirelessly communicating between internal wireless communication circuitry of one or more welding-related devices and a master node device via a short-range wireless communication network; communicating between the master node device and internal communication circuitry of a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link; and continuously improving reliability of communications between the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices and the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit by continuously improving reliability of transmission of data between the welding power supply unit and the one or more welding-related devices by limiting a number of welding-related devices associated with the short-range wireless communication network based at least in part on functionality types of the welding-related devices, wherein the functionality types of the welding-related devices include types of functionality relating to a welding task that the welding-related devices are configured to perform. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. 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 internal wireless communication circuitry of 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 internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to continuously improve reliability of communications between the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices and the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit by continuously improving reliability of transmission of data between the internal wireless communication circuitry of the one or more welding-related devices and the internal communication circuitry of the welding power supply unit by limiting a number of welding-related devices associated with the short-range wireless communication network based at least in part on functionality types of the welding-related devices, wherein the functionality types of the welding-related devices include types of functionality relating to a welding task that the welding-related devices are configured to perform.
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Specification