Abstract: A portable and fully integrated welder and compressor combination includes a housing having an engine, electrical current generating alternator, and a belt-driven screw air compressor. The engine is configured to drive the generator directly, and a pulley arrangement is provided on the engine to drive the belt-driven screw air compressor.

Abstract: An oil separator usable with a welder and air compressor combination unit. The oil separator includes a cylindrical housing having an inlet that receives the stream of compressed air containing oil from the air compressor. Within the oil separator, there is a deflector baffle that redirects the flow of the oil to a swirling, downwardly directed path along the inner surface of the cylindrical housing where the air is separated out therefrom and passes upwardly to exit through a fluid outlet formed in the cover of the separator. The swirling oil flows downwardly through an annular slot formed between a circular plate and the inner surface of the cylindrical housing into a lower chamber where the oil is channeled by radially directed baffles into radial channels to redirect that oil toward an oil outlet at the center of the circular bottom where that oil exits to be re-circulated in the combination unit or for disposal.

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: A portable and fully integrated welder and compressor combination includes a housing having an engine, electrical current generating alternator, and a belt-driven screw air compressor. The engine is configured to drive the generator directly, and a pulley arrangement is provided on the engine to drive the belt-driven screw air compressor.

Abstract: An integrated power unit for use in a bed of a pickup truck. A lower housing is sized to fit between the rear wheel wells of the pickup truck, and opposed upper housings extend over respective opposed sidewalls of the truck bed. The opposed upper housings are adjustable with respect to the lower housing, so that the integrated power unit may be used with various makes and models of pickup trucks. The lower housing contains an internal combustion engine for generating mechanical power, an alternator and electrically driven compressors. Ducting and baffles facilitate air flow and cooling in the lower housing. A fuel tank is formed by one of the upper housings, and a control panel is located in the other upper housing. Connections for electrical power and regulated and unregulated pneumatic power are available at the control panel.

Abstract: A rigid inverted insert for mounting on the top panel of a rigid cowing of an engine welder, which cowing has a cut away opening in a top panel for allowing access to the top opening of a fuel filler tube extending from a low fuel tank to a position adjacent the rigid cowing. The novel insert has a lower wall generally to the top panel, but substantially below the top panel wherein the lower rigid wall has a central opening surrounding the filler tube to define a peripheral gap around the tube and a soft grommet or seal is mounted in the central opening and fixed to the insert.

Abstract: A portable welding apparatus for use with a motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electrical current generating alternator operably connected to the engine to be driven thereby. The alternator is a three-phase AC alternator having a first DC rectifier which converts AC current to a first DC current using resistors across phase to lag each phase at 120 degrees allowing phases to operate simultaneously and a second DC rectifier which converts AC current to a second DC current using resistors across phase to lag each phase at 120 degrees allowing phases to operate simultaneously. The alternator includes a three phase armature having three windings and the first and second DC rectifiers each include six diodes connected to the armature, the diodes are configured in three parallel legs with each leg having two of the diodes, and the three legs are connected to separate ones of the three windings between the diodes. The armature is preferably wound in a wye configuration.

Abstract: A portable and fully integrated welder and compressor combination includes a housing having an engine, electrical current generating alternator, and a belt-driven screw air compressor. The engine is configured to drive the generator directly, and a pulley arrangement is provided on the engine to drive the belt-driven screw air compressor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the engine speed of a welding generator is disclosed. A first time delay permits the engine to warm up sufficiently at a run speed before switching the engine speed to an idle speed. A second time delay permits continuous operation of the engine at the run speed during brief interruptions in the demand for output power.

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: An integrated power unit for use in a bed of a pickup truck. A lower housing is sized to fit between the rear wheel wells of the pickup truck, and opposed upper housings extend over respective opposed sidewalls of the truck bed. The opposed upper housings are adjustable with respect to the lower housing, so that the integrated power unit may be used with various makes and models of pickup trucks. The lower housing contains an internal combustion engine for generating mechanical power, an alternator and electrically driven compressors. Ducting and baffles facilitate air flow and cooling in the lower housing. A fuel tank is formed by one of the upper housings, and a control panel is located in the other upper housing. Connections for electrical power and regulated and unregulated pneumatic power are available at the control panel.

Abstract: An oven for drying welding rods that are used on electric welding equipment includes an inner oven space and an outer annular hot gas flow space around the inner oven space, the inner space being sufficiently large to accept a conventional cylindrical metal can of welding rods, adapted for feeding the hot engine exhaust gas to the annular hot gas flow space and for opening and closing the inner oven space for inserting and removing the can of welding rods therefrom and a for controlling the flow of the hot engine exhaust gas to the annular hot gas flow space so that the heat flow to the conventional can of welding rods inserted into the inner oven space is modulated and is sufficient to dry the rods by heat from the engine hot exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a generator driven CV welding power supply includes a generator driven by an engine, and a CV electronic field controller. The generator includes a field winding and a welding output winding. The electronic field controller is connected to the field winding and has an engine feedback input. The controller also has a voltage boost circuit responsive to the engine RPM (or engine speed command signal). A wire feeder includes a motor powered by the generator output, and the boosted field current helps start the wire feeder when the engine is idling. The speed of the engine is reduced when there is no welding arc.

Abstract: A motor-driven, modular, constant current DC arc welding apparatus configurable for use with consumable or non-consumable electrodes, consisting of: 1) a single, or multiple, electrically inter-connectable, power generating alternator modules fitted with full wave rectifiers, which when interconnected can achieve very high welding currents, exceeding 600 amps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the engine speed of a welding generator is disclosed. A first time delay permits the engine to warm up sufficiently at a run speed before switching the engine speed to an idle speed. A second time delay permits continuous operation of the engine at the run speed during brief interruptions in the demand for output power.

Abstract: A portable welding apparatus for use with a motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electrical current generating alternator operably connected to the engine to be driven thereby. The alternator is a three-phase AC alternator having a first DC rectifier which converts AC current to a first DC current using resistors across phase to lag each phase at 120 degrees allowing phases to operate simultaneously and a second DC rectifier which converts AC current to a second DC current using resistors across phase to lag each phase at 120 degrees allowing phases to operate simultaneously. The alternator includes a three phase armature having three windings and the first and second DC rectifiers each include six diodes connected to the armature, the diodes are configured in three parallel legs with each leg having two of the diodes, and the three legs are connected to separate ones of the three windings between the diodes. The armature is preferably wound in a wye configuration.

Abstract: An engine driven welding power supply including a welding output winding, and a dig output winding is disclosed. The welding output winding has a welding output with a welding V-A curve of a first slope, in a welding range and below the welding range. The dig output winding has a dig output with a dig V-A curve of a second slope below the welding range. The second slope is less steep than the first slope. An output circuit is connected to receive and combine the welding and dig outputs to provide a power supply output.

Abstract: An engine driven welder has a fuel tank with a filler tube that extends upwardly from a reservoir in the machine base. The filler tube upper end and a cap thereon are below the machine top cover. The machine top cover has a cutout into which is installed a grommet that closes the cutout and that fully protects the filler tube upper end and the cap. The grommet has a hole that seals over a top portion of the filler tube such that any spilled fuel does not leak inside the machine. The filler tube has an expansion space that prevents splashback and spillover during fueling. An angled tail pipe directs engine exhaust away from the welding machine in any desired direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding output and an auxiliary output from a generator having a field winding, an auxiliary output winding and a welding output winding is disclosed. One or both of a welding output and an auxiliary output are detected, and feedback signals indicative of the presence or absence of one or both of a welding output and an auxiliary output are provided. A controller, preferably an electronic field controller includes an auxiliary output regulator enabled or disabled by the output detector feedback signal and a welding regulator enabled or disabled by the output detector feedback, such that one and only one of the auxiliary output regulator and welding regulator is enabled. The auxiliary output regulator is connected to an auxiliary output feedback circuit, thereby providing closed loop control, preferably with a CV output.

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: 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 holder on an electric welding machine manages the machine cables and guns. The holder comprises a box that fits in a cutout in the machine top cover. The box has open front and top sides. At least one socket is supported in the box. A door is hinged to the box for pivoting between open and closed positions. When the door is in the closed position, it covers the box and conceals the sockets. The box and closed door are generally flush with the machine top cover. When the door is pivoted to the open position, it exposes the sockets, and a wall of the door is horizontal. The cable can then be hung from the open door, and the guns can be stored in the sockets. The door is retained in the open position by the cooperation of fingers on the door and depressions in the box. In a modified embodiment, the sockets are supported in the door, and they are rotatable on the door between retracted and working locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a generator driven CV welding power supply includes a generator driven by an engine, and a CV electronic field controller. The generator includes a field winding and a welding output winding. The electronic field controller is connected to the field winding and has an engine feedback input. The controller also has a voltage boost circuit responsive to the engine RPM (or engine speed command signal). A wire feeder includes a motor powered by the generator output, and the boosted field current helps start the wire feeder when the engine is idling. The speed of the engine is reduced when there is no welding arc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a generator driven CV welding power supply includes a generator driven by an engine, and a CV electronic field controller. The generator includes a field winding and a welding output winding. The electronic field controller is connected to the field winding and has an engine feedback input. The controller also has a voltage boost circuit responsive to the engine RPM (or engine speed command signal). A wire feeder includes a motor powered by the generator output, and the boosted field current helps start the wire feeder when the engine is idling. The speed of the engine is reduced when there is no welding arc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding power includes a power supply that receives utility and engine power. The power supply has an engine power input and a utility power input. One of the engine power input and the utility power input is selectively connected to the power supply in response to a mode select input, controlled by an input selector. The input selector may include a user selectable input, such as a sensor circuit or a user switch on a welder control panel, preferably a three position switch having an engine mode position, a utility mode position and an off position in various alternatives. The engine is disabled when utility power is selected. Disabling the engine includes one or more of cutting the field current, starter current, and/or battery current. The power supply may include an inverter, chopper, and/or a phase controlled device. The welder is preferably a single-package, stand-alone welder, and/or includes an engine/generator having a welding and an auxiliary output.

Abstract: An oven for drying welding rods that are used on electric welding equipment includes an inner oven space and an outer annular hot gas flow space around the inner oven space, the inner space being sufficiently large to accept a conventional cylindrical metal can of welding rods, adapted for feeding the hot engine exhaust gas to the annular hot gas flow space and for opening and closing the inner oven space for inserting and removing the can of welding rods therefrom and a for controlling the flow of the hot engine exhaust gas to the annular hot gas flow space so that the heat flow to the conventional can of welding rods inserted into the inner oven space is modulated and is sufficient to dry the rods by heat from the engine hot exhaust gas.

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: A method and apparatus for providing welding power includes two power sources (first and second), each having an output. A linking circuit selectively connects the power sources in one of an independent mode (such that each is connected to a separate welding output whereby the first welding output is independent of the second welding output) or a combined mode (such that the power sources are connected in parallel and connected to one welding output whereby the outputs of the first power source and second power source are combined). A controller includes a mode selector to allow the user to select between the independent mode and the combined mode. Also, the controller includes a master output magnitude selector, which is a single selector, that controls the magnitude of the output of both power sources when the user has selected the combined mode. The power sources can be operated in a CV or CC mode when independent, or a CC mode when combined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding power includes two power sources (first and second), each having an output. A linking circuit selectively connects the power sources in one of an independent mode (such that each is connected to a separate welding output whereby the first welding output is independent of the second welding output) or a combined mode (such that the power sources are connected in parallel and connected to one welding output whereby the outputs of the first power source and second power source are combined). A controller includes a mode selector to allow the user to select between the independent mode and the combined mode. Also, the controller includes a master output magnitude selector, which is a single selector, that controls the magnitude of the output of both power sources when the user has selected the combined mode. The power sources can be operated in a CV or CC mode when independent, or a CC mode when combined.

Abstract: A fueling assembly for a fuel tank of an engine driven welder. The engine driven welder has a housing having a top portion, a side portion and a fueling cavity. The fueling cavity is formed in the top portion and the side portion of the engine welder housing. An engine and a fuel tank are located within the housing. The fueling assembly includes a filler tube, a fuel gauge and a grommet to seal the filler tube and fuel gauge in the fueling cavity. The fuel gauge has a fuel level indicator and a fuel level sensor that extends through the filler tube and into the fuel tank. The fuel level indicator registers a plurality of fuel levels in the fuel tank. The grommet is a one piece structure having a lower intermediate section which includes an opening to provide access to the filler tube opening and the fuel level indicator. The side section of the grommet has flanges to connect the grommet to the engine welder housing.

Abstract: A lifting eye is selectively slidable to an extended position whereat it is easily accessible above the top cover of a welding machine for purposes of lifting the machine. The lifting eye is further slidable to a retracted position whereat it is almost completely below the top cover, but an opening remains for inserting a finger. The lifting eye has a bar that slides between straight portions of a strap that is secured to the welding machine. A spring straddles the strap and has V-sections that protrude through slots in the strap and lie in the path of the lifting eye bar. The spring V-sections retain the lifting eye in the extended position against unintentional sliding. When it is desired to slide the lifting eye, the lifting eye bar contacts the spring V-sections and deflects the spring legs to enable the lifting eye bar to slide between the V-sections. In an alternate embodiment, resilient plates produce friction on the lifting eye that resists sliding thereof between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: An engine driven welder has a fuel tank with a filler tube that extends upwardly from a reservoir in the machine base. The filler tube upper end and a cap thereon are below the machine top cover. The machine top cover has a cutout into which is installed a grommet that closes the cutout and that fully protects the filler tube upper end and the cap. The grommet has a hole that seals over a top portion of the filler tube such that any spilled fuel does not leak inside the machine. The filler tube has an expansion space that prevents splashback and spillover during fueling. An angled tail pipe directs engine exhaust away from the welding machine in any desired direction.

Abstract: An engine driven welder has a fuel tank with a filler tube that extends upwardly from a reservoir in the machine base. The filler tube upper end and a cap thereon are below the machine top cover. The machine top cover has a cutout into which is installed a grommet that closes the cutout and that fully protects the filler tube upper end and the cap. The grommet has a hole that seals over a top portion of the filler tube such that any spilled fuel does not leak inside the machine. The filler tube has an expansion space that prevents splashback and spillover during fueling. An angled tail pipe directs engine exhaust away from the welding machine in any desired direction.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven welding machine employs a closed loop control system for maintaining a constant speed of a generator. A feedback device produces a controlled frequency proportional to the actual generator frequency. The controlled frequency is compared with a reference frequency preset in the machine. Any error between the controlled and referenced frequencies is used to control a proportional flow control valve to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic motor that rotates the generator to maintain a constant generator speed under varying welding conditions. The source of the hydraulic fluid may be a hydraulic system of a motor vehicle. In an alternate embodiment, an adjustable orifice produces a pressure drop in the hydraulic system. A change in generator speed changes the pressure drop. The pressure drop is used to control a valve that diverts the proper amount of fluid flow to the hydraulic motor to maintain a constant pressure drop and thus a constant generator speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding output and an auxiliary output from a generator having a field winding, an auxiliary output winding and a welding output winding is disclosed. One or both of a welding output and an auxiliary output are detected, and feedback signals indicative of the presence or absence of one or both of a welding output and an auxiliary output are provided. A controller, preferably an electronic field controller includes an auxiliary output regulator enabled or disabled by the output detector feedback signal and a welding regulator enabled or disabled by the output detector feedback, such that one and only one of the auxiliary output regulator and welding regulator is enabled. The auxiliary output regulator is connected to an auxiliary output feedback circuit, thereby providing closed loop control, preferably with a CV output.

Abstract: A battery tray for an engine-driven welding machine has two bottom walls separated by a step. When the battery tray is in a closed position, a battery retained on the battery tray is concealed inside the welding machine and the first bottom wall rests on a machine floor. To expose the battery, the battery tray is pulled out an end panel of the welding machine, sliding the first bottom wall on the machine floor until the step is at an outer face of the floor. A slight further pull causes the battery tray to drop the distance of the step such that the second bottom wall contacts the floor. Releasing the battery tray causes flanges on it to abut the machine end panel. The battery tray step and the flanges cooperate with the floor outer face and the machine end panel, respectively, to cantilever support the battery tray outside the welding machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding power from an engine/generator driven welding power supply includes an engine and a generator. A welding power supply is connected to the generator output, and provides welding power. A controller controls the apparatus, and receives an RPM input signal indicative of the engine RPM, and a user selected magnitude input. The controller includes an output reduction circuit that reduces the magnitude of the welding power by a variable amount in the event the engine is likely to stall, so as to reduce the likelihood of a stall, but maintain sufficient power for a welding arc. The magnitude of the welding power is reduced by an amount responsive to the engine speed in the event that the engine RPM is less than an RPM threshold, and/or by an amount responsive to the user selectable setting in the event that the user selectable setting is greater than a threshold.

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: Mounting brackets for an engine driven welding machine have respective first and second legs at right angles to each other. The mounting brackets can be attached to the welding machine base in a shipping mode or in a installation mode. When in the shipping mode, the second legs are under the machine base, and fasteners engage first sets of holes in the mounting bracket first legs to common sets of holes in the machine base. The welding machine can then be welded to a selected mounting surface by welding the mounting brackets and not the base. When in the installation mode, the mounting bracket second legs extend outwardly from the base, and fasteners engage second sets of holes in the mounting bracket first legs and the common set of holes in the base. Holes in the second legs of the mounting brackets are then exposed for installing it by fasteners to a mounting surface.

Abstract: A portable oven for holding shielded metal arc welding electrodes prior to their use. The holding oven utilizes the heated exhaust gases of a welding machine engine to maintain welding electrodes at an elevated temperature to prevent the absorption of moisture, which would adversely affect the quality of welds. The holding oven includes an insulated outer housing, which is positioned on or near an engine-driven welding machine. An interior rack for the electrodes is mounted in the upper portion of the housing and is accessible through a hinged door. A heat exchanger in the lower part of the housing is coupled to the exhaust pipe of the welding machine and radiates the exhaust heat into the interior of the housing before transferring the exhaust gases to a directional exhaust port. The holding oven may include means for measuring and regulating the interior temperature of the housing to keep the electrodes within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A self-contained, portable and fully integrated welder/generator and compressor unit including a housing sized to fit in the back of a pick-up truck, and an engine, an alternator and an air compressor arranged in alignment with one another within the housing. The engine drives the alternator directly, and a pulley arrangement is provided between a take-off shaft of the alternator to drive the compressor. The components within the housing are arranged to provide a storage space for welding tools, nail guns and the like and the like within the housing.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely controlling operational parameters of welders by communicating over a welding cable thereof with a remote device electrically coupleable between a workpiece and an electrode holder of the welder. The operational parameters include remotely enabling and disabling the welder, remotely choking the engine thereof, remotely controlling coarse and fine current adjustment, and remotely controlling other parameters otherwise controllable from a control panel of the welder.

Abstract: An engine driven arc welder including a welding generator driven by an engine; output circuits for controlling the output of the welding generator in accordance with a control signal and for delivering the output to welding output terminals; a current detector for detecting the current flowing in the welding output terminals; an error detector for comparing the output of the current detector with a reference signal to detect error; a control signal producing circuit for producing the control signal in accordance with output of the error detector and for delivering it to the output circuit; and a voltage detector R10, VR10 for detecting voltage to be delivered to the welding output terminals, wherein the arc welder has a welding output characteristic having a constant current control arc characteristic in accordance with the reference signal and which exhibits a drooping characteristic in the vicinity of the arcing voltage and which is capable of increasing the current when the arc voltage is lowered.

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 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 engine driven welder has a fuel tank with a filler tube that extends upwardly from a reservoir in the machine base. The filler tube upper end and a cap thereon are below the machine top cover. The machine top cover has a cutout into which is installed a grommet that closes the cutout and that fully protects the filler tube upper end and the cap. The grommet has a hole that seals over a top portion of the filler tube such that any spilled fuel does not leak inside the machine. The filler tube has an expansion space that prevents splashback and spillover during fueling. An angled tail pipe directs engine exhaust away from the welding machine in any desired direction.

Abstract: A "hot start" method for arc welding includes selecting a first weld current, setting a time interval, striking an arc, flowing a second, higher weld current through the welding rod and then, after a brief time interval, reducing the current through the rod to the value of the first weld current. Also disclosed is a new arc welder stator having two groups of slots around a core. The group of larger slots contains the weld current windings and slots in the group of smaller slots contain windings for timing, gate voltage, battery charging, auxiliary power and the like. A new cooling apparatus for an arc welder has an air duct and a "double-bladed" fan for flowing air along several paths and cooling both the welder control section and the generating section. A new method for electronically controlling engine speed in an engine-driven arc welder is also disclosed.

Abstract: An engine driven welding power supply is disclosed. The power supply produces a welding output having a plurality of volt-ampere curves. Each of the curves is associated with a selected current output and includes a slope over usable welding range. The magnitude of the slope over the usable welding range is dependent on the selected current output, particularly at a middle range of output currents. The power supply includes a AC generator that provides an AC signal. A rectifier rectifies the AC signals and provides a DC output. The DC output is provided to an output inductor that provides a smooth DC output. The V-A curves are produced by phase control in the rectifier.

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.

Abstract: A side panel is easily installable onto and removed from a welding machine using a minimum of fasteners and requiring only a small space on the side of the machine. The side panel includes clips joined to one edge of the panel. The clips have respective first legs secured to the panel, second legs that register with slots in the machine base, and third legs that elastically bend against a lip on the base. The restoring force of the bent third legs of the clips holds the clips second legs firmly against the base slot and thereby prevents vibration. Conventional fasteners are used to attach at least one other edge of the panel to the welding machine.