Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed relating to welding-type power supplies. In some examples, the power supplies may have no vents, which may help prevent environmental contaminants from entering the power supplies. Instead, the power supplies include one or more thermal interfaces configured to conduct heat generated by internal circuitry of the power supply from the interior of the power supply to an exterior of the power supply. Additionally, the thermal interface(s) may be configured for attachment to one or more exterior heat dissipating devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed relating to welding-type power supplies. In some examples, the power supplies may have no vents, which may help prevent environmental contaminants from entering the power supplies. Instead, the power supplies include one or more thermal interfaces configured to conduct heat generated by internal circuitry of the power supply from the interior of the power supply to an exterior of the power supply. Additionally, the thermal interface(s) may be configured for attachment to one or more exterior heat dissipating devices.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for mitigating audible noise generated by a welding-type power supply are disclosed. In some examples, the switching frequency of the welding-type power supply may be changed to a frequency that is outside the audible range for humans. This strategy takes advantage of the fact that the observed audible noise is generated by vibrating components within the welding-type power supply that vibrate at a frequency related to the switching frequency. Other noise mitigation strategies include dithering and deactivation of portions of the welding-type power supply that vibrate to generate the audible noise.

Abstract: An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert three-phase input power to welding-type power; a reference node coupled to each winding of the three-phase input power via a corresponding impedance; and a phase detection circuit coupled to the reference node and configured to determine a number of phases connected to the input based on comparing a frequency of a signal at the reference node to a threshold frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed example welding power systems and methods monitor supply power inputs from a primary power source. The supply power is compared to current and/or power threshold values corresponding to limits associated with the primary power source. If the supply power exceeds a threshold value associated with the limits, the welding power system controls welding parameters or devices to adjust a supply power demand, thereby ensuring the draw on supply power does not exceed the capabilities of the power source. In some examples, the disclosed welding power system presents a subset of welding parameters identified as available for operation based on the capabilities of the power source. The user interface displays only the subset of available welding parameters to an operator for selection, thereby ensuring the draw on supply power does not exceed the capabilities of the power source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a constant current controller for use in constant current welding applications are described. In one embodiment, a current controller controls the output current of the welding torch without directly measuring the output current of the welding torch. The current controller controls or sets a current in a primary winding of a transformer in an inverter of a welding power supply to control the output current of the welding torch.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed relating to welding-type power supplies. In some examples, the power supplies may have no vents, which may help prevent environmental contaminants from entering the power supplies. Instead, the power supplies include one or more thermal interfaces configured to conduct heat generated by internal circuitry of the power supply from the interior of the power supply to an exterior of the power supply. Additionally, the thermal interface(s) may be configured for attachment to one or more exterior heat dissipating devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing welding power supplies with interleaved inverter circuitry are described. In one embodiment, a welding power supply includes, for example, a first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit that are arranged in parallel. A voltage source or a current source is coupled to a first same node of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit. A filter inductor is coupled to a second same node of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit. The output current of the filter inductor is halved in frequency by disabling one of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed relating to welding-type power supplies. In some examples, the power supplies may have no vents, which may help prevent environmental contaminants from entering the power supplies. Instead, the power supplies include one or more thermal interfaces configured to conduct heat generated by internal circuitry of the power supply from the interior of the power supply to an exterior of the power supply. Additionally, the thermal interface(s) may be configured for attachment to one or more exterior heat dissipating devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed relating to welding-type power supplies. In some examples, the power supplies may have no vents, which may help prevent environmental contaminants from entering the power supplies. Instead, the power supplies include one or more thermal interfaces configured to conduct heat generated by internal circuitry of the power supply from the interior of the power supply to an exterior of the power supply. Additionally, the thermal interface(s) may be configured for attachment to one or more exterior heat dissipating devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed relating to smart spool detection for welding-type systems. In some examples, the smart spool detection system uses one or more first sensors and/or second sensors to detect and/or determine a first parameter of the spool (e.g. size). One or more second sensors are used to detect and/or determine a second parameter of the spool. In some examples, the second parameter may be a weight of the spool, a distance to the filler material (e.g., wire) retained on the spool, and/or an angle of a guide arm lever supported by filler material retained on the spool. The smart spool detection system determines a remaining amount of consumable filler material remaining on the spool using the first and second parameters.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are disclosed relating to smart regulators and smart manifolds for welding-type systems. A smart regulator may be coupled to a fluid tank and provide information regarding the current pressure(s) and/or flow rate to a remote device and/or operator. The remote device may also determine and/or output additional information, such as, for example, remaining fluid and/or remaining time before the fluid runs out or becomes dangerously low. A smart manifold may be configured to work with several different fluid supplies. In this way, an operator may easily mix fluid types, switch between different fluid types, and/or switch between different fluid tanks.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are disclosed relating to smart regulators and smart manifolds for welding-type systems. A smart regulator may be coupled to a fluid tank and provide information regarding the current pressure(s) and/or flow rate to a remote device and/or operator. The remote device may also determine and/or output additional information, such as, for example, remaining fluid and/or remaining time before the fluid runs out or becomes dangerously low. A smart manifold may be configured to work with several different fluid supplies. In this way, an operator may easily mix fluid types, switch between different fluid types, and/or switch between different fluid tanks.

Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce magnetic flux in a switched mode power supply are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a switched mode power supply, comprising: a transformer configured to transform an input voltage to a welding-type voltage; a capacitor in series with a primary winding of the transformer; switches configured to control a voltage applied to a series combination of the primary winding of the transformer and the capacitor; a comparator coupled to the transformer and configured to compare the welding-type output voltage to a threshold voltage; and a flux accumulator to determine a net flux in the transformer based on the voltage applied to the series combination of the primary winding of the transformer and the capacitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a constant current controller for use in constant current welding applications are described. In one embodiment, a current controller controls the output current of the welding torch without directly measuring the output current of the welding torch. The current controller controls or sets a current in a primary winding of a transformer in an inverter of a welding power supply to control the output current of the welding torch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a constant current controller for use in constant current welding applications are described. In one embodiment, a current controller controls the output current of the welding torch without directly measuring the output current of the welding torch. The current controller controls or sets a current in a primary winding of a transformer in an inverter of a welding power supply to control the output current of the welding torch.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for mitigating audible noise generated by a welding-type power supply are disclosed. In some examples, the switching frequency of the welding-type power supply may be changed to a frequency that is outside the audible range for humans. This strategy takes advantage of the fact that the observed audible noise is generated by vibrating components within the welding-type power supply that vibrate at a frequency related to the switching frequency. Other noise mitigation strategies include dithering and deactivation of portions of the welding-type power supply that vibrate to generate the audible noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods to reduce magnetic flux in a switched mode power supply are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing welding power supplies with interleaved inverter circuitry are described. In one embodiment, a welding power supply includes, for example, a first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit that are arranged in parallel. A voltage source or a current source is coupled to a first same node of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit. A filter inductor is coupled to a second same node of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit. The output current of the filter inductor is halved in frequency by disabling one of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a constant current controller for use in constant current welding applications are described. In one embodiment, a current controller controls the output current of the welding torch without directly measuring the output current of the welding torch. The current controller controls or sets a current in a primary winding of a transformer in an inverter of a welding power supply to control the output current of the welding torch.