Cutting or welding system having phase loss detector and method of detecting phase loss for same
US5665256A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K9/0956
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting phase loss in a cutting or welding system is provided. The apparatus preferably includes a cutting or welding torch and a power source operatively connected to the torch. The power source for a cutting or welding system preferably has a power circuit which includes an electrical input line positioned to receive power from an external power supply, a transformer having a primary side connected to the input line and a secondary side, a rectifier operatively connected to the secondary side of the transformer, and an output line connected to the rectifier. The power source also has a phase loss detector operatively connected to the secondary side of the transformer for detecting phase loss responsive to a ripple voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold. The method of detecting phase loss in a cutting or welding system preferably includes filtering an electrical signal representative of a voltage so that only a ripple voltage passes therethrough, detecting a change in the ripple voltage representative of a phase loss, and communicating the change in ripple voltage representative of a phase loss to an operator of the system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.