Welding wire preheating system and method
First Claim
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1. A welding method, comprising:
- receiving a signal indicative of initiation of welding process;
prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, controlling voltage or current applied to a welding electrode to preheat the electrode to a temperature above an ambient temperature but below a melting point of the welding electrode;
monitoring feedback voltage and current to determine a termination of preheating; and
terminating preheating prior to initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol.
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Abstract
In a welding system, a preheating process is carried out prior to initiation of a welding arc, such as upon depression of a trigger or switch on a welding torch. The preheating process involves generation and application of desired currents and voltages to a welding electrode from a power supply. Preheating is continued until the welding electrode reaches a desired temperature or resistance, which may be determined by reference to an increasing voltage, a decreasing current, a peaked and declining voltage, resistance and/or power measurements, and so forth. Following preheating, a desired welding process may begin with initiation of the welding arc.
185 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A welding method, comprising:
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receiving a signal indicative of initiation of welding process; prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, controlling voltage or current applied to a welding electrode to preheat the electrode to a temperature above an ambient temperature but below a melting point of the welding electrode; monitoring feedback voltage and current to determine a termination of preheating; and terminating preheating prior to initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A welding method, comprising:
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receiving a signal indicative of initiation of welding process; prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, automatically controlling voltage or current applied to a welding electrode to preheat the electrode to a temperature above an ambient temperature but below a melting point of the welding electrode; terminating preheating when the electrode reaches a resistance or a power level as determined based upon monitored current and voltage applied to the welding electrode; and initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol after terminating preheating of the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A welding system, comprising:
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a power supply comprising power conversion circuitry and control circuitry configured to cooperate to provide welding current and voltage to a welding electrode; and current and voltage monitoring sensors configured to sense current and voltage applied to the welding electrode by the power supply; wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive a signal for initiation of a welding process and to, prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, control the voltage and current applied to the welding electrode to preheat the welding electrode to a temperature above an ambient temperature but below a melting point of the welding electrode, to monitor the sensed current and voltage to determine a termination of preheating, and to terminate preheating prior to initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A welding method, comprising:
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receiving a signal indicative of initiation of welding process; prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, determining an amount of time that a welding wire has not been under an arc condition; determining at least one of a preheating time, current, or voltage based on the determined amount of time; terminating a preheat cycle based on a timer; and initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol after the preheat cycle has terminated.
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Specification