Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control engine speed of a power system are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; an air compressor configured to generate and store air pressure in an air storage tank based on mechanical power provided by the engine; and control circuitry configured to: monitor the air pressure in the air storage tank; determine a rate of air pressure change based on the monitoring of the air pressure; in response to the rate of air pressure change satisfying a threshold rate, incrementally increasing a speed of the engine; detecting a load on an AC auxiliary output; and in response to detecting the load on the AC auxiliary output, overriding an engine speed based on the air compressor, and controlling the speed of the engine to be the predetermined speed to output the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control engine speed of a power system are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; a generator configured to generate electrical power from mechanical power delivered by the engine; a switched-mode power supply configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to output power; and control circuitry configured to: monitor an input current to the switched-mode power supply; and in response to the input current exceeding a threshold current, incrementally increasing a speed of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control an output of a switched-mode power supply in a service pack are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; a generator configured to generate electrical power from mechanical power delivered by the engine; a switched-mode power supply, comprising an inverter, configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to output power, the output power comprising at least one of welding-type power or battery charging power; a user input device configured to receive an input selecting at least one of a first mode representative of a first welding-type process or a second mode representative of a first battery charging mode; and control circuitry configured to: when the first mode is selected, control the switched-mode power supply to output welding-type power; and when the second mode is selected, control the switched-mode power supply to output battery charging power.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use a switched-mode power supply as a source of power in a service pack are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; a generator configured to generate electrical power from mechanical power delivered by the engine; a switched-mode power supply configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to output power; and control circuitry configured to: when an output load of the switched-mode power supply is a power system load, control the switched-mode power supply to provide the output power for output to the power system load; and when the output load of the switched-mode power supply is a vehicle load, control the switched-mode power supply to provide the output power for output to a vehicle electrical system connected to a vehicle energy storage device.

Abstract: Welding power supplies having adjustable current ramping rates are disclosed. An example welding power supply, comprising: a switched mode power supply to convert primary power to welding-type power having an output current based on a current control loop; a voltage sensing circuit to measure a weld voltage; a voltage comparator to determine whether the weld voltage corresponds to a welding arc condition or a short circuit condition; and a control circuit to: select a current ramping rate; and execute the current control loop to control the output current, the control circuit configured to, while the weld voltage corresponds to the short circuit condition, increase the output current at the current ramping rate.

Abstract: Welding power supplies having adjustable current ramping rates are disclosed. An example welding power supply, comprising: a switched mode power supply to convert primary power to welding-type power having an output current based on a current control loop; a voltage sensing circuit to measure a weld voltage; a voltage comparator to determine whether the weld voltage corresponds to a welding arc condition or a short circuit condition; and a control circuit to: select a current ramping rate; and execute the current control loop to control the output current, the control circuit configured to, while the weld voltage corresponds to the short circuit condition, increase the output current at the current ramping rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use a switched-mode power supply as a source of power in a service pack are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; a generator configured to generate electrical power from mechanical power delivered by the engine; a switched-mode power supply configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to output power; and control circuitry configured to: when an output load of the switched-mode power supply is a power system load, control the switched-mode power supply to provide the output power for output to the power system load; and when the output load of the switched-mode power supply is a vehicle load, control the switched-mode power supply to provide the output power for output to a vehicle electrical system connected to a vehicle energy storage device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control engine speed of a power system are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; a generator configured to generate electrical power from mechanical power delivered by the engine; a switched-mode power supply configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to output power; and control circuitry configured to: monitor an input current to the switched-mode power supply; and in response to the input current exceeding a threshold current, incrementally increasing a speed of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control an output of a switched-mode power supply in a service pack are disclosed. An example power system includes: an engine; a generator configured to generate electrical power from mechanical power delivered by the engine; a switched-mode power supply, comprising an inverter, configured to convert the electrical power from the generator to output power, the output power comprising at least one of welding-type power or battery charging power; a user input device configured to receive an input selecting at least one of a first mode representative of a first welding-type process or a second mode representative of a first battery charging mode; and control circuitry configured to: when the first mode is selected, control the switched-mode power supply to output welding-type power; and when the second mode is selected, control the switched-mode power supply to output battery charging power.

Abstract: Welding power supplies having adjustable current ramping rates are disclosed. An example welding power supply, comprising: a switched mode power supply to convert primary power to welding-type power having an output current based on a current control loop; a voltage sensing circuit to measure a weld voltage; a voltage comparator to determine whether the weld voltage corresponds to a welding arc condition or a short circuit condition; and a control circuit to: select a current ramping rate; and execute the current control loop to control the output current, the control circuit configured to, while the weld voltage corresponds to the short circuit condition, increase the output current at the current ramping rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding with an engine driven inverter power supply includes generating an ac output with an engine and generator. The output is rectified and inverted to provide an ac inverter output. The engine is controlled using feedback indicative of a welding output operating parameter. The feedback may also be taken from the inverter or generator, and the generator may be controlled instead of or in addition to the engine. Engine parameters that may be controlled include engine speed, selecting between an idle speed and a run speed, a throttle position, a fuel pump, an injection timer, a fuel to air ratio, fuel consumption and ignition timing. Another aspect of the invention is having the feedback be responsive to one or more of the welding current, welding voltage, welding power, or functions thereof. The feedback may be responsive to the current, voltage, power, ripple and functions thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrical protection of an electrical system includes a protection circuit for detecting when silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) or other control elements in an engine driven generator of a welding-type power source have failed. In such an apparatus, a shorted rectifying control element detection device has an input stage connected to an engine driven generator that supplies power for a welding-type process and a filtering stage to bandpass current signals acquired by the input stage from the engine driven generator. The apparatus further has an output stage connected to the filtering stage that at least indicates a fault condition if fundamental frequency components present in the current signals exceed a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a protection circuit for electrical apparatuses, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for detecting when silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) or other control elements in an engine driven generator of a welding-type power source have failed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing power from an engine includes a one or more output windings in of slots on a generator. A plurality of exciter windings are in magnetic communication with the one or more output windings. The exciter windings are also placed in slots in the generator. The location of slots for the various windings is chosen to produce a desired output. A power supply is in electrical communication with the one or more output windings. Preferably, there are as many or more exciter windings as there are output windings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing power from an engine includes a one or more output windings in of slots on a generator. A plurality of exciter windings are in magnetic communication with the one or more output windings. The exciter windings are also placed in slots in the generator. The location of slots for the various windings is chosen to produce a desired output. A power supply is in electrical communication with the one or more output windings. Preferably, there are as many or more exciter windings as there are output windings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding output is disclosed. The apparatus includes a an ac generator having a field winding, a welding output winding and an electronic field controller connected to the field winding. The controller receives a current feedback signal and a voltage feedback signal, and shapes the output curve in response to the desired output command signals. According to one embodiment the controller also receives a field current feedback signal. The controller may shape the output curves to emulate a DC generator, for example by causing the welding output V-A curves to have multiple breakpoints, and/or a substantially preset slope over a welding range wherein the preset slope does not vary over the output current range of the power supply. Also, the slope of the V-A output curve below the welding range may be different than the slope in the welding range.

Abstract: A welding power supply includes an ac generator with a field winding and a welding output winding. An electronic field controller receives current and voltage feedback from the welding output. This electronic field controller is connected to the field winding, controlling the current through this winding in such a way that the volt-ampere output curve at the welding output winding consists of a plurality of selected nominal output current curves, each of these curves including at least two breakpoints.