Power supply apparatus for arc-utilizing machine
US6194681A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K9/1006
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A DC voltage resulting from rectifying and smoothing a commercial AC voltage is converted into a high-frequency voltage in an inverter which is operated in response to the closure of a start switch. A transformer transforms the high-frequency voltage, and the voltage-transformed high-frequency voltage is converted to a DC voltage by a rectifier and reactor for application between a torch and a workpiece with a gap disposed therebetween. In response to the closure of the start switch, an igniter operated from the voltage-transformed high-frequency voltage is enabled by an igniter driver to thereby apply a high-frequency voltage between the torch and the workpiece to generate an arc therebetween. A current detector detects current attributable to the arcing. A timer starts operating upon closure of the start switch and causes a disabling commander to disable the inverter when no current is detected by the current detector during a time period longer than a period required for an arc to be generated in the gap. This interrupts the supply of the operating voltage for the igniter, and the igniter stops operating.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.