Abstract: A torch head having a base section, a tip section and three or more radial rods connected between the base section and the tip section. The radial rods form a generally circular inner chamber which inner chamber includes an electrode. One or more of the radial rods has an inner passageway to convey one or more shielding gasses and/or one or more cooling fluids from the base section to the tip section of the torch head. The cooling fluid cools at least a portion of the torch head. The shielding gas is directed about the electrode and onto the weld metal to improve the quality of the weld bead. One or more of the radial rods function as support structures to enhance the strength and the rigidity of the torch head. The tip section of the torch head is designed to direct the one or more shielding gas in a desired profile about the electrode and onto the weld metal. The tip section includes an electrical contact that form an electrical connection with the electrode as the electrode passes through the tip section.

Abstract: A method of determining the impedance, inductance, and resistance of the network connecting an electrical power supply to an electric arc welding station including an electrode and a workpiece, wherein the method comprises: shorting the electrode to the workpiece; creating at least one waveform including a first state operating the power supply at constant current of a selected value and a second state operating the power supply at a low value of current or open circuit voltage whereby the current decays from the selected value along a decay path indicative of di/dt; obtaining the average current Iavg and average resistance Ravg during the first state; selecting a portion of the decay path; sampling the instantaneous current for a number of times on the path during the second state to read the rate of the decay; and, using the average current and the average resistance with the rate of decay to obtain the inductance of the network.