Apparatus and methods are provided for an engine driven welding-type power system that includes an engine to drive an electric generator to provide a first power output, and a removable welder having an energy storage device to provide a second power output. The system includes a housing having a dock to store a removable welder. While stored within the dock, the energy storage device is recharged by the first power output. Once removed from the dock, the removable welder is configured to operate independently of the power system.

The present invention is directed to a welding-type power source that includes a power source housing and an engine arranged in the power source housing to supply electrical power. An energy storage device is included that is in rechargeable association with the internal combustion engine and arranged to provide welding-type power for at least a given period.

A welding-type power system that includes an engine configured to drive an electric generator to provide a first power output. In addition to the electric generator, the system includes an energy storage system to provide a second power output. The system includes energy storage devices and charging devices that are used to charge the energy storage devices. A controller is configured to control the charging devices to provide charging power output to the energy storage devices based on the parameters related to the charge level of the energy storage devices. The controller, using data received from sensors and charge measurement devices, determines the respective charge level for each energy storage device; compares the respective charge levels to one or more threshold charge levels; and controls the charging devices to provide a charging power output to the energy storage devices with a charge level that is below a threshold charge level.

The present application relates to an arc welding arrangement and an electric arc welding method to be used with the arc welding arrangement. The arc welding arrangement comprising a first power source, a first electrode connected to say first power source, and a second electrode, said first electrode being adapted to generate a weld pool via a first electric arc present within a first arc region. The second electrode is operated at welding parameters adapted to ensure that excess energy from at least said first electrode is required to maintain said second arc ignited. The method comprises the step of feeding said second electrode so that it is allowed to consume excess energy from said first electrode to maintain said second arc ignited.

A welding assembly and method is described which includes a charging circuit and regulator coupled to an input power source; an energy storage element connected in parallel with the charging circuit and regulator to increase the weld current output, wherein the energy storage element is charged by the charging circuit and regulator; and a weld output controller connected in parallel with the energy storage element for controlling a welding arc between an electrode and a workpiece, wherein the weld output controller includes a forward converter/inverter including a series circuit of a primary winding of a transformer, and a switching element which is coupled to the energy storage element, and a rectifier smoothing circuit which rectifies and smoothes a voltage induced in a secondary winding of the transformer according to a switching operation of the switching element, wherein the rectifier smoothing circuit conducts during an ON period of the switching element.

The present application relates to an electric arc welding method to be used with an arc welding arrangement (1) comprising a first power source, a first electrode (2) connected to said first power source, and a second electrode (7), said first electrode (2) being adapted to generate a weld pool (28) via a first electric arc present within a first arc region (31) and said second electrode (7) being adapted to generate said weld pool via a second electric arc present within a second arc region. The first electrode (2) is operated at welding parameters adapted to maintain said first arc ignited. The second electrode (7) is operated at welding parameters adapted to ensure that excess energy from at least said first electrode (2) is required to maintain said second arc ignited. The method comprises the step of feeding said second electrode (7) so that it is allowed to consume excess energy from said first electrode (2) to maintain said second arc ignited. The invention also relates to an arc welding arrangement (1) for carrying out the method.

Hybrid welding modules are disclosed. An example hybrid welding module includes a welding input switch, an energy storage input switch, an energy storage output switching circuit, and a control circuit. The welding input switch receives welding-type input power and selectively outputs the welding-type input power to a weld circuit as first welding-type output power. The energy storage input switch receives the welding-type input power and selectively conducts the welding-type input power to an energy storage device. The energy storage output switching circuit converts energy output by the energy storage device to second welding-type power and outputs the second welding-type power to the weld circuit. The control circuit enables charging of the energy storage device by controlling the energy storage input switch to output the welding-type input power to the energy storage device, selectively controls the welding input switch to output the welding-type input power to the weld circuit, determines a commanded total welding-type current, monitors a first welding-type current through the welding input switch, monitors a second welding-type current output by the energy storage output switching circuit, and controls the energy storage output switching circuit to output the second welding-type power for combination with the first welding-type output power based on the commanded total welding-type current, the first welding-type current, and the second welding-type current.

An assembly for a wheel suspension includes a vibration damper and an add-on part. The vibration damper includes a contact region on which the add-on part is configured to rest and wherein the contact region is configured to receive a force transmitted thereon. A welding element is mechanically connected to the add-on part and welded to the contact region. The contact region and the welding element include the same material or weldable material partners and the add-on part and the contact region are formed from dissimilar and not mutually weldable materials.

Embodiments of hybrid engine welding systems are disclosed. One embodiment includes an engine, a generator, and a first disconnect device to mechanically couple/decouple the engine to/from the generator. A compressor produces a compressed air flow and/or a pump produces a hydraulic pressure. A second disconnect device mechanically couples/decouples the generator to/from the compressor and/or the pump. Electronics operatively connects the generator to a battery. The battery and the electronics power the generator as a motor at variable speeds when the generator is decoupled from the engine and coupled to the compressor or the pump, allowing selectable varying of a magnitude of the compressed air flow and/or the hydraulic pressure.

Apparatus and methods are provided for a welding-type power system that includes an engine configured to drive an electric generator to provide power to a power output, wherein a power signal is applied to the power output. A sensor monitors the power signal, and a controller determines a change in the power signal based on a feedback signal received from the sensor, and controls the engine to start or stop operation in response to the change in the power signal.