Method and apparatus to adaptively cool a welding-type system

Abstract

A cooling system connected to provide coolant to a welding-type component automatically circulates coolant through the welding component upon activation of the welding component. A controller is configured to regulate the cooling system such that upon activation of the welding-type component coolant is caused to at least flow through the welding-type component and circulate after deactivation of the welding torch until a temperature of the coolant falls below a certain value or a specified time period has expired. The cooling system is constructed to be integrally disposed within a power source housing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to welding-type systems and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus of an automatically and conditionally cooling a welding-type system upon activation of the welding-type system. More particularly, the invention relates to circulating coolant automatically through a power source and a welding-type torch upon initiation of a welding-type process. [0002] It is well known that certain welding processes such as heavy-duty TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding generate considerable amount of heat during the welding process. A welding component or welding torch is commonly used to hold a tungsten electrode that is heated to join metals through heat transfer. Because tungsten is a rare metallic element with an extremely high melting point (approximately 3410°), the electrode can withstand a tremendous heat load and use the heat to join metals with filler material. The heat generated, however, can cause the welding tor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] There are a large number of welding processes available for use in industry. These welding processes include gas tungsten arc, oxygen gas welding, and shielded metal arc welding. The gas tungsten arc welding process is generally referred to as TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding. A typical TIG welding apparatus includes a welding component which is commonly referred to as welding torch and is designed to introduce a tungsten electrode to a weld. The welding torch holds the electrode ...

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that certain welding processes such as heavy-duty TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding generate considerable amount of heat during the welding process.

The heat generated, however, can cause the welding torch to become increasingly heated.

One of the drawbacks with these standard cooling systems is that the cooling system is manually operable.

It can therefore be problematic if the operator forgets to turn the cooling system on before commencing welding.

As a result, the temperature of the torch quickly rises to maximum acceptable limits and if not immediately cooled, can cause the torch to break down and malfunction.

It is also costly to interrupt the welding process and allow the torch to cool.

Moreover, the operator may forget to turn off the cooling system during extended periods of downtime.

As such, the cooling system continues to circulate coolant to the welding torch even when cooling is not needed which increases energy consumption.

Another disadvantage of manually actuated cooling system rests in that the operator may turn off the cooling system prematurely following completion of a welding session.

However, if the operator prematurely shuts down the cooling system, the temperature of the torch may actually increase for a short and potentially damaging period.

These drawbacks can significantly reduce the life expectancy of the cooling system and / or torch and increase the overall energy consumption of the system.

All of which increases the costs of the welding system.

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