Multiple operator welding apparatus
First Claim
1. A welding apparatus for supplying electrical current to a welding module comprising;
- a power source;
a main power frame having at least one receptacle;
a bus bar mounted in the main power frame and electrically connected to the power source;
a welding module selectively mounted in the receptacle of the main power frame and having a welding module output terminal for electrical connection to a welding electrode;
a connector having a first connector member mounted to and electrically connected to the welding module and a second connector member mounted to and electrically connected to the bus bar, the first connector member being selectively connected to the second connector member;
a dummy drawer selectively mounted in the receptacle of the main power frame when the welding module is removed therefrom, the dummy drawer comprising a dummy drawer connector member selectively connected to the second connector member and an output terminal electrically connected to the dummy drawer connector member;
a protective shell which selectively receives the welding module when the module is removed from the receptacle, the protective shell comprising a protective shell connector member selectively connected to the first connector member and protective shell input terminals electrically connected to the protective shell connector members;
at least one electrical cable for electrically connecting the protective shell input terminals to the dummy drawer output terminals when the welding module is removed from the receptacle and the dummy drawer is received therein;
wherein the welding module can be selectively removed from the main power frame and mounted in the protective shell and the dummy drawer can be selectively mounted in the main power frame and electrically connected to the welding module, thereby permitting the welding module to be used a distance from the main power frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple operator welding apparatus is disclosed which is particularly well suited for use in stick arc welding, GTAW, FCAW, ACAC, and GMAW arc welding processes. One or more welding modules are selectively mounted in a main power frame and connected to the power source by a knife blade connector which permits removal and replacement of one or more welding modules while the power source is in use. The knife blade connector also permits one or more welding modules to be removed from the main power frame and used at a remote location. The welding module for use with the multiple operator welding apparatus incorporates an inductor which permits use of a reduced incoming module voltage while producing a satisfactory weld. The reduced incoming module voltage results in significant energy savings.
100 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A welding apparatus for supplying electrical current to a welding module comprising;
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a power source; a main power frame having at least one receptacle; a bus bar mounted in the main power frame and electrically connected to the power source; a welding module selectively mounted in the receptacle of the main power frame and having a welding module output terminal for electrical connection to a welding electrode; a connector having a first connector member mounted to and electrically connected to the welding module and a second connector member mounted to and electrically connected to the bus bar, the first connector member being selectively connected to the second connector member; a dummy drawer selectively mounted in the receptacle of the main power frame when the welding module is removed therefrom, the dummy drawer comprising a dummy drawer connector member selectively connected to the second connector member and an output terminal electrically connected to the dummy drawer connector member; a protective shell which selectively receives the welding module when the module is removed from the receptacle, the protective shell comprising a protective shell connector member selectively connected to the first connector member and protective shell input terminals electrically connected to the protective shell connector members; at least one electrical cable for electrically connecting the protective shell input terminals to the dummy drawer output terminals when the welding module is removed from the receptacle and the dummy drawer is received therein; wherein the welding module can be selectively removed from the main power frame and mounted in the protective shell and the dummy drawer can be selectively mounted in the main power frame and electrically connected to the welding module, thereby permitting the welding module to be used a distance from the main power frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A welding apparatus comprising;
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a source of electrical power; at least one welding electrode electrically connected to the power source for striking an arc between a workpiece and the electrode; and a welding module electrical circuit interconnecting the at least one welding electrode and the power source, the circuit comprising a plurality of resistors which are selectively connected in the electrical circuit to create an output current of the circuit within a prescribed range, an inductor connected between the power source and the electrode, the inductor being connected in series with some of the plurality of resistors and being connected in parallel with the remainder of the plurality of resistors such that the inductor stabilizes the welding arc for only a portion of the current. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A welding apparatus for supplying electrical current to a welding module comprising;
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a power source; a main power frame having at least one receptacle; a welding module selectively mounted in a receptacle in the main power frame and electrically connected to the power source, the welding module having an electrical circuit comprising a welding module output terminal for connection to a welding electrode and a welding module input terminal for connection to the power source; and a dummy drawer received in the receptacle of the main power frame when the welding module is removed therefrom, the dummy drawer occupying the receptacle and comprising a portion of an electrical circuit between the power source and the welding module, the dummy drawer being electrically connected to the power source and the welding module input terminal being electrically connected to the dummy drawer; whereby the welding module can be operated while received in the receptacle of the power frame or can removed from the receptacle of the main power frame, replaced with the dummy drawer, and electrically connected to the dummy drawer such that the welding module can be used at a distant location from the main power frame. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A welding apparatus for supplying electrical current to a welding module comprising;
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a power source having at least one transformer to step down an incoming line voltage to an outgoing supply voltage of 60 volts; a main power frame; a welding module mounted in the frame and electrically connected to the power source to receive the outgoing power source supply voltage of 60 volts, the welding module having an electrical circuit comprising; a plurality of resistors mounted therein for altering the outgoing current supplied from the power source to a welding electrode; and an inductor mounted in series with at least a portion of the resistors to stabilize the welding arc; whereby the welding module, despite the low supply voltage of 60 volts, is suitable for use for a wide variety of welding processes including stick arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux core arc welding, air carbon arc gouging and gas metal arc welding. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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Specification