Hybrid welding modules

• Main Author: Schartner, Quinn William
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.10.2019
• Subjects: CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; TRANSPORTING; WELDING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

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.