Abstract: Welding systems including a hydraulically driven welding power supply adapted to utilize hydraulic primary power to generate a first welding output for a first welding operation and a second welding output for a second welding operation are provided. Such welding systems may include control circuitry coupled to the hydraulically driven welding power supply and adapted to enable the hydraulically driven welding power supply to provide the first welding output and the second welding output at the same time to enable a first welding operator and a second welding operator to perform the first welding operation and the second welding operation, respectively, at the same time.

Abstract: A system having a welding wire hub with a wire-specific interface. The wire-specific interface may be configured to enable mounting with a first wire spool and configured to prevent mounting with a second wire spool. In some embodiments, the first and second wire spools have different welding wire types.

Abstract: Welding systems including a hydraulically driven welding power supply adapted to utilize hydraulic primary power to generate a first welding output for a first welding operation and a second welding output for a second welding operation are provided. Such welding systems may include control circuitry coupled to the hydraulically driven welding power supply and adapted to enable the hydraulically driven welding power supply to provide the first welding output and the second welding output at the same time to enable a first welding operator and a second welding operator to perform the first welding operation and the second welding operation, respectively, at the same time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging batteries includes using an input rectifier to receive an ac input and provide a dc signal. A converter receives the dc signal and provides a converter output. An output circuit receives the converter output and provides a battery charging signal. A controller preferably controls the converter to power factor correct. The system can include multiple output circuits, used either singly or at the same time, and designed for one or more voltages. They can be user removable. Preferably, the converter output has a magnitude independent of a range of frequencies and a range of magnitudes of the ac input, and the range can be, for example, at least a factor of two or at least two utility voltages. The controller includes a charging schedule module that receives feedback, such as voltage and/or current feedback and/or temperature feedback. The output circuit, such as a dc-dc converter, is controlled in response to the feedback in other embodiments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging batteries includes using an input rectifier to receive an ac input and provide a dc signal. A converter receives the dc signal and provides a converter output. An output circuit receives the converter output and provides a battery charging signal. A controller preferably controls the converter to power factor correct. The system can include multiple output circuits, used either singly or at the same time, and designed for one or more voltages. They can be user removable. Preferably, the converter output has a magnitude independent of a range of frequencies and a range of magnitudes of the ac input, and the range can be, for example, at least a factor of two or at least two utility voltages. The controller includes a charging schedule module that receives feedback, such as voltage and/or current feedback and/or temperature feedback. The output circuit, such as a dc-dc converter, is controlled in response to the feedback in other embodiments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging batteries includes using an input rectifier to receive an ac input and provide a dc signal. A converter receives the dc signal and provides a converter output. An output circuit receives the converter output and provides a battery charging signal. A controller preferably controls the converter to power factor correct. The system can include multiple output circuits, used either singly or at the same time, and designed for one or more voltages. They can be user removable. Preferably, the converter output has a magnitude independent of a range of frequencies and a range of magnitudes of the ac input, and the range can be, for example, at least a factor of two or at least two utility voltages. The controller includes a charging schedule module that receives feedback, such as voltage and/or current feedback and/or temperature feedback. The output circuit, such as a dc-dc converter, is controlled in response to the feedback in other embodiments.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking, storing, and distributing inventory of welding-type consumables within an industrial facility includes conveyors for moving and storing welding-type consumables on pallets or other shipment units to the proper work zones. Various sensors or detectors are employed at the loading and unloading ends of the conveyors to provide data for determining quantity, type, and/or location information for monitoring inventory or even automated reordering. Therefore, such a system and method provides robust, reliable, and inexpensive inventory management that can be adaptable and compatible with multiple brands, types, and shipment varieties of inventory materials.

Abstract: A system having a welding wire hub with a wire-specific interface. The wire-specific interface may be configured to enable mounting with a first wire spool and configured to prevent mounting with a second wire spool. In some embodiments, the first and second wire spools have different welding wire types.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention a battery charger and method of charging a battery includes an input circuit that receive an ac input having a period of T seconds and provides a dc signal. A converter receives the first dc signal and provides a converter output across a dc bus having a peak voltage of V volts. An output circuit receives the dc signal and provides a battery charging signal having a power of P watts. A controller, controls the converter to provide power factor correction. A bus capacitor is connected across the dc bus and has a capacitance of at least (3PT)/(V2) farads, or a capacitance to store sufficient energy to maintain the available output power signal through the duration of mechanical transient. The capacitance may be at least (4PT)/(V2), (5PT)/(V2), or (5.5PT)/(V2). Multiple output circuits may be provided, connected either one at a time, or a number at a time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging batteries includes using an input rectifier to receive an ac input and provide a dc signal. A converter receives the dc signal and provides a converter output. An output circuit receives the converter output and provides a battery charging signal. A controller preferably controls the converter to power factor correct. The system can include multiple output circuits, used either singly or at the same time, and designed for one or more voltages. They can be user removable. Preferably, the converter output has a magnitude independent of a range of frequencies and a range of magnitudes of the ac input, and the range can be, for example, at least a factor of two or at least two utility voltages. The controller includes a charging schedule module that receives feedback, such as voltage and/or current feedback and/or temperature feedback. The output circuit, such as a dc-dc converter, is controlled in response to the feedback in other embodiments.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention a battery charger and method of charging a battery includes an input circuit that receive an ac input having a period of T seconds and provides a dc signal. A converter receives the first dc signal and provides a converter output across a dc bus having a peak voltage of V volts. An output circuit receives the dc signal and provides a battery charging signal having a power of P watts. A controller, controls the converter to provide power factor correction. A bus capacitor is connected across the dc bus and has a capacitance of at least (3PT)/(V2) farads, or a capacitance to store sufficient energy to maintain the available output power signal through the duration of mechanical transient. The capacitance may be at least (4PT)/(V2), (5PT)/(V2), or (5.5PT)/(V2). Multiple output circuits may be provided, connected either one at a time, or a number at a time.