Charge and weld gating system with safety circuit
US7307236B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K11/26
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A weld circuit for use in a welder is provided. The weld circuit comprises a charge section, a capacitor section, and a weld section. The charge section includes a first plurality of solid state switches, e.g., silicon controlled rectifiers (charge SCRs), the capacitor section includes a weld capacitor, and the weld section includes a second plurality of solid state switches, e.g., silicon controlled rectifiers (weld SCRs). The charge SCRs form a bridge between the lines in the charge circuit. One weld SCR is coupled to a first weld terminal and the other weld SCR is coupled to a second weld terminal. The charge and weld SCRs isolate the charge section, the capacitor section, and the weld section from each other. The weld circuit is coupleable to a safety circuit that comprises a resistor, a microcontroller, and optical isolators. When the optical isolators are enabled, the microcontroller monitors a current flowing through the resistor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.