Abstract: A welding system comprising a user manipulatable device, a proximity sensor positioned on said user manipulatable device, an engine capable of operation in an energy conservation mode and an operating mode, and a generator operatively coupled to the engine. The generator may provide at least one of (1) a welding current output or (2) an auxiliary power output. The engine may operate (1) in the operating mode when the proximity sensor outputs the first output signal, and (2) in the energy conservation mode when the engine is not operating in the operating mode. The proximity sensor may be configured to output the first output signal when an operator of said welding system is in-range.

Abstract: A hydraulic lock for a hydraulic system includes a flow control valve and a second check valve. The flow control valve having a first inlet, a first outlet, a first check valve and a flow restrictor, each of the first check valve and the flow restrictor being communicably coupled to the first inlet and the first outlet and being arranged in parallel between the first inlet and the first outlet. The second check valve having a second inlet and a second outlet, the second inlet being communicably coupled to the first outlet, the second check valve further having a ball seating surface having an aperture there through, a ball, and a resilient member biasing the ball towards the ball seating surface to seal the aperture, the aperture being communicably coupled to the second inlet and the second outlet.

Abstract: A low voltage system and method for servicing welding equipment including a service tool that may provide a low voltage power source to the welding equipment, enabling the welding equipment to be tested in a low voltage mode of operation. The service tool may also run various test sequences on the welding equipment operating in a low voltage mode of operation to troubleshoot and diagnose any issues with the circuitry of the welding equipment.

Abstract: A hydraulic lock for a hydraulic system includes a flow control valve and a second check valve. The flow control valve having a first inlet, a first outlet, a first check valve and a flow restrictor, each of the first check valve and the flow restrictor being communicably coupled to the first inlet and the first outlet and being arranged in parallel between the first inlet and the first outlet. The second check valve having a second inlet and a second outlet, the second inlet being communicably coupled to the first outlet, the second check valve further having a ball seating surface having an aperture there through, a ball, and a resilient member biasing the ball towards the ball seating surface to seal the aperture, the aperture being communicably coupled to the second inlet and the second outlet.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use in petrochemical plants, such as an ethylene production plant includes a refrigerant vent rectifier. The rectifier purifies the refrigerant by removing low molecular weight inerts. The refrigeration system is more efficient, consumes less energy and increases plant capacity.

Abstract: Systems and methods of an improved wire feeder for a welding system are disclosed. The wire feeder includes a linear motor configured to drive electrode wire from a wire supply.

Abstract: A welding power source configured to receive an input power includes a plurality of components and supervising circuitry configurable in a plurality of modes. The plurality of components include power conversion circuitry and background power supply. The supervising circuitry is configured to distribute the input power to the plurality of components based at least in part on a mode of the plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a welding mode configured to distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry and to the background power supply. The plurality of modes also include a monitoring mode configured to distribute the input power to the background power supply, and to not distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A welding power source configured to receive an input power includes a plurality of components and supervising circuitry configurable in a plurality of modes. The plurality of components include power conversion circuitry and background power supply. The supervising circuitry is configured to distribute the input power to the plurality of components based at least in part on a mode of the plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a welding mode configured to distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry and to the background power supply. The plurality of modes also include a monitoring mode configured to distribute the input power to the background power supply, and to not distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use in petrochemical plants, such as an ethylene production plant includes a refrigerant vent rectifier. The rectifier purifies the refrigerant by removing low molecular weight inerts. The refrigeration system is more efficient, consumes less energy and increases plant capacity.

Abstract: A welding system comprising a user manipulatable device, a proximity sensor positioned on said user manipulatable device, an engine capable of operation in an energy conservation mode and an operating mode, and a generator operatively coupled to the engine. The generator may provide at least one of (1) a welding current output or (2) an auxiliary power output. The engine may operate (1) in the operating mode when the proximity sensor outputs the first output signal, and (2) in the energy conservation mode when the engine is not operating in the operating mode. The proximity sensor may be configured to output the first output signal when an operator of said welding system is in-range.

Abstract: A welding power source configured to receive an input power includes a plurality of components and supervising circuitry configurable in a plurality of modes. The plurality of components include power conversion circuitry and background power supply. The supervising circuitry is configured to distribute the input power to the plurality of components based at least in part on a mode of the plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a welding mode configured to distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry and to the background power supply. The plurality of modes also include a monitoring mode configured to distribute the input power to the background power supply, and to not distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A welding power source configured to receive an input power includes a plurality of components and supervising circuitry configurable in a plurality of modes. The plurality of components include power conversion circuitry and background power supply. The supervising circuitry is configured to distribute the input power to the plurality of components based at least in part on a mode of the plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a welding mode configured to distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry and to the background power supply. The plurality of modes also include a monitoring mode configured to distribute the input power to the background power supply, and to not distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A method of modifying a particle that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X—[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N—S-ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S-ZM)b, and reacting the particle with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S-ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the particle to form a surface modified particle. The particle may comprise at least one of a dye particle, an inorganic pigment particle, an additive, or a combination thereof. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group. Y may be a halogen leaving group. N may be a nucleophilic group. S may be an organic group. ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and wherein if b is 2 or 3, each N—S-ZM can be the same or different.

Abstract: A welding power source configured to receive an input power includes a plurality of components and supervising circuitry configurable in a plurality of modes. The plurality of components include power conversion circuitry and background power supply. The supervising circuitry is configured to distribute the input power to the plurality of components based at least in part on a mode of the plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a welding mode configured to distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry and to the background power supply. The plurality of modes also include a monitoring mode configured to distribute the input power to the background power supply, and to not distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A welding system and method having power controller with workpiece sensor. In some embodiments, the welding system includes a stud welding power supply having a welding power output, a stud welding power controller, and a workpiece sensor. The stud welding power controller may be communicatively coupled to the stud welding power supply and the workpiece sensor. In certain embodiments, the stud welding power controller is responsive to a signal from the workpiece sensor indicative of a position of a stud in general proximity or engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: A method of modifying a pigment that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X—[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N—S—ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S—ZM)b. A pigment is reacted with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S—ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the pigment to form a surface modified pigment. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group, Y may be a halogen leaving group, N may be a basic nucleophilic group, S may be an organic group, and ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and if b is 2 or 3, each N—S—ZM can be the same or different.

Abstract: A method of modifying a pigment that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X—[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N—S—ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S—ZM)b. A pigment is reacted with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S—ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the pigment to form a surface modified pigment. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group, Y may be a halogen leaving group, N may be a basic nucleophilic group, S may be an organic group, and ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and if b is 2 or 3, each N—S—ZM can be the same or different.

Abstract: A method of producing a modified pigment by sulfonating a pigment and subsequently oxidizing the pigment. The modified pigment may have sulfonic acid and carboxyl surface modifying groups attached to the surface of the pigment. Charge balancing counterions such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and NR1R2R3H+, where R1, R2 and R3 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl groups, may be associated with the surface modifying groups. The modified pigment is combined with water to produce a dispersion that can be used in such applications as coatings, paints, papers, adhesives, latexes, toners, textiles, fibers, plastics and inks.

Abstract: A method of modifying a pigment that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X—[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N—S—ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S—ZM)b. A pigment is reacted with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a—X—(N—S—ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the pigment to form a surface modified pigment. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group, Y may be a halogen leaving group, N may be a basic nucleophilic group, S may be an organic group, and ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and if b is 2 or 3, each. N—S—ZM can be the same or different.

Abstract: A method of modifying a pigment that includes reacting a reactive compound having an X-[Y]n reactive group with a secondary compound N-S-ZM to form a substituted reactive intermediate [Y]aX-(N-S-ZM)b. A pigment is reacted with the substituted reactive intermediate [Y]a-X-(N-S-ZM)b to attach the substituted reactive intermediate to the surface of the pigment to form a surface modified pigment. X may be a sulfonyl, phosphoryl, or 1,3,5-triazinyl group, Y may be a halogen leaving group, N may be a basic nucleophilic group, S may be an organic group, and ZM may be an ionizable end group. Also, n is an integer between 1 and 3, b is an integer between 1 and 3, and a=n?b. When n is equal to or greater than b, and if b is 2 or 3, each. N-S-ZM can be the same or different.