Method and apparatus of coordinating operational feedback in a plasma cutter

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for improved operational feedback from a plasma torch to a plasma-cutting power source. A plasma cutter includes a plasma cutting power source, a plasma torch in communication with the plasma cutting power source, and a serialization circuit disposed within the plasma torch to control transmission of multiple feedback signals from the plasma torch to the plasma cutting power source. The serialization circuit receives the multiple feedback signals and places the feedback in a queue, such that the multiple feedback signals are sent from the queue to a processing unit in the power source via a single communications link.

1 . A plasma cutting system comprising: 
 a plasma cutting power source; 
 a plasma torch defined at least by a torch housing enclosing a plasma-cutting electrode, the plasma torch operationally connected to the plasma cutting power source and constructed to provide a cutting plasma to a workpiece to cut the workpiece; and  
 a serialization circuit disposed within the plasma torch to control transmission of multiple feedback signals from the plasma torch to the plasma cutting power source.  
   
   
   
       2 . The plasma cutting system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of sensors configured to provide feedback signals to the plasma cutting power source.  
   
   
       3 . The plasma cutting system of  claim 2  wherein the serialization circuit is configured to serialize feedback from the plurality of sensors to the plasma cutting power source.  
   
   
       4 . The plasma cutting system of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least two of a power source activation indicator, an electrode type indicator, a tip type indicator, a cup position indicator, a consumable indicator, a shorted component indicator, an air pressure indicator, a temperature indicator, a trigger position indicator, a trigger safety indicatory, an operation amperage indicator, a current transfer indictor, and a voltage drop indicator.  
   
   
       5 . The plasma cutting system of  claim 1  further comprising a single communications link for transmission of multiple feedback signals to the plasma cutting power source.  
   
   
       6 . The plasma cutting system of  claim 5  wherein the single communications link is configured to translate power from the plasma cutting power source to the plasma torch.  
   
   
       7 . The plasma cutting system of  claim 1  wherein the serialization circuit includes at least one of an analog serializing circuit and a digital serializing circuit.  
   
   
       8 . The plasma cutting system of  claim 1  wherein the plasma torch is configured to operate with a maximum open circuit output voltage of greater than 220 volts DC.  
   
   
       9 . A method of providing feedback from a plasma torch to a remote power source, the method comprising: 
 receiving feedback from a plurality of sensors disposed in a plasma torch, the plasma torch constructed to provide a cutting plasma to a workpiece to cut the workpiece;    arranging the feedback in a queue; and    sending the feedback to a remote power source in an order the feedback is arranged in the queue.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising transmitting the feedback to the remote power source via a single communications link.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising transmitting power to the plasma torch across the single communications link.  
   
   
       12 . A plasma torch assembly comprising: 
 a torch body enclosing a plasma-cutting electrode arranged for plasma cutting;    a plurality of sensors disposed within the torch body and configured to provide feedback regarding at least operational conditions of the plasma cutting; and    a serializer disposed within the torch body to receive feedback from the plurality of sensors and configured to transmit the feedback to a remote processing unit via a communications link.    
   
   
       13 . The plasma torch assembly of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least two of a power source activation indicator, a cup position indicator, a consumable indicator, a shorted component indicator, an air pressure indicator, a temperature indicator, a trigger position indicator, an operation amperage indicator, a current transfer indictor, and a voltage drop indicator.  
   
   
       14 . The plasma torch assembly of  claim 12  wherein the serializer includes a serialization circuit configured to send the feedback as discrete feedback signals to the remote processing unit via a single communications link.  
   
   
       15 . The plasma torch assembly of  claim 14  wherein the single communications link is a power-supply cable.  
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacturing a plasma cutting torch comprising: 
 constructing a housing;    enclosing a plasma-cutting electrode within the housing;    disposing a plurality of sensors within the housing to provide operational feedback regarding operational conditions of a plasma-cutting process; and    connecting the plurality of sensors to a serializing circuit such that feedback from the sensors is queued by the serializing circuit before being sent to a plasma-cutting power source, the serializing circuit disposed within the housing.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising bypassing the serialization circuit and transmitting feedback directly to the plasma-cutting power source for indicating a potentially problematic operating condition to the plasma-cutting power source.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising manufacturing the housing, plasma-cutting electrode, plurality of sensors, and serializing circuit to operate with a maximum open circuit output voltage of greater than 220 volts DC.