Method and Apparatus For Pulse and Short Circuit Arc Welding

Abstract

A method and apparatus for multi process welding includes providing a controlled short circuit output and a pulse output in response to a user selection across a workpiece output stud and a torch output stud.

1 . A welding-type power supply comprising:
 a source of welding-type power having a control input;   a controller, having a control output connected to the control input, and including a controlled short circuit control module, a pulse module and a process selection module, wherein one of the controlled short circuit module and the pulse module are activated in response to the process selection module; and   a workpiece output stud and a single torch output stud, connected to the source of welding-type power, wherein the single torch output stud provides controlled short circuit power and pulse power.   
     
     
         2 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 1 , further comprising a wire feeder, connected to the source of welding-type power, wherein the single torch output stud is located on the wire feeder. 
     
     
         3 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 1 , wherein the source of welding-type power includes an inverter, without an output bypass switch. 
     
     
         4 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 1 , wherein the source of welding-type power includes an inverter, with an output bypass switch. 
     
     
         5 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 1 , wherein the source of welding-type power includes an output bypass switch. 
     
     
         6 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 1 , further comprising a user selectable process input, connected to the process selection module. 
     
     
         7 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 6 , wherein the user selectable process input is mounted on a torch. 
     
     
         8 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 6 , wherein the user selectable process input is mounted on a wire feeder. 
     
     
         9 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 6 , wherein the user selectable process input is mounted on a housing for the source of welding type power. 
     
     
         10 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 6 , further comprising a wire feeder, capable of driving two types of wire, and connected to the source of welding-type power, wherein the single torch output stud is located on one of the wire feeder and an external housing. 
     
     
         11 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 1 , further comprising an output selection switch having a control input connected and responsive to the process selection module, and in electrical communication with the single torch output stud and the source of welding-type power. 
     
     
         12 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 11 , further comprising an output inductance in electrical communication with the output selection switch. 
     
     
         13 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled short circuit module is a waveform controlled short circuit module. 
     
     
         14 . The welding-type power supply of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled short circuit module is a mechanical controlled short circuit module. 
     
     
         15 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A system for pipe welding comprising:
 a work stud;   a torch stud; and   power means for providing controlled short circuit welding power across the work stud and the torch stud and performing the root pass using the controlled short circuit power, and for providing controlled pulse welding power across the work stud and the torch stud and filling a groove using pulse power.   
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein performing the root pass and filling the groove include melting a single type of wire. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein performing the root pass includes melting a first type of wire and filling the groove includes melting a second type of wire. 
     
     
         53 . A welding-type power supply comprising:
 selection means for selecting one of a controlled short circuit output and a pulse output in response to a process selection;   means for controlling a source of welding-type power to provide the controlled short circuit output across a workpiece output stud and a torch output stud, in the event the controlled short circuit output is selected, and for controlling the source of welding-type power to provide the pulse output, across a workpiece output stud and a torch output stud, in the event the pulse output is selected.   
     
     
         54 . A system for welding, comprising a workpiece output stud, a torch output stud, and means for providing a controlled short circuit output and a pulse output in response to a user selection across the workpiece output stud and the torch output stud.