Systems and methods for wireless control of an engine-driven welding power supply

Abstract

Systems and methods for wireless control of welding power supplies are disclosed. An example welding power supply includes: a housing comprising a control panel configured to receive inputs from an operator; power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power into output power for a welding operation; and local control circuitry configured to wirelessly receive a control signal from remote control circuitry of a portable electronic device, and to control the welding power supply based on the received control signal; wherein the local control circuitry is configured to set prioritization of control of the welding power supply between the portable electronic device and the control panel of the welding power supply, prevent the control panel from controlling a parameter of the welding power supply when the portable electronic device is prioritized, and prevent the portable electronic device from controlling the parameter when the control panel is prioritized.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A welding power supply comprising:
 a housing comprising a control panel configured to receive at least a first input from an operator;   power conversion circuitry disposed within the housing and configured to convert input power into output power for a welding operation; and   local control circuitry disposed within the housing and configured to:
 enter a sleep mode in response to at least one of an input to a user interface or receiving a sleep signal from a portable electronic device; 
 wirelessly receive a control signal from remote control circuitry of the portable electronic device; 
 wake up the welding power supply from the sleep mode in response to receiving at least one of the control signal or a signal representative of activity on the portable electronic device; 
 wirelessly send a wake signal to the portable electronic device to wake the portable electronic device from a sleep mode upon the detection of activity on the user interface; and 
 control the welding power supply based on the received control signal. 
   
     
     
         3 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , further comprising an engine-driven generator configured to provide electrical power to the power conversion circuitry. 
     
     
         4 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the local control circuitry is configured to set prioritization of control of the welding power supply between the portable electronic device and the control panel of the welding power supply, to prevent the control panel from controlling at least one parameter of the welding power supply when the portable electronic device is prioritized, and to prevent the portable electronic device from controlling the at least one parameter of the welding power supply when the control panel is prioritized. 
     
     
         5 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a display, the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly send data to the portable electronic device, and the portable electronic device is configured to display the data on the display. 
     
     
         6 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a display, the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly send data relating to diagnostic messages or diagnostic codes for the welding power supply to the portable electronic device, and the portable electronic device is configured to display the data on the display. 
     
     
         7 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a display, and the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly send instructions to the remote control circuitry to display a nested graphical hierarchical structure of operating parameters and statuses of the welding power supply via the display. 
     
     
         8 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the welding power supply maintains network pairing with the portable electronic device while in the sleep mode. 
     
     
         9 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the portable electronic device is configured to wake the portable electronic device from the sleep mode upon detection of activity on the portable electronic device, and to wirelessly send the control signal to the local control circuitry to wake the welding power supply from a sleep mode upon the detection of the activity on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from the portable electronic device to change a welding arc control parameter of the welding power supply, and to change the welding arc control parameter based on the received control signal. 
     
     
         11 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from the portable electronic device to change a current of the welding operation, and to change the current of the welding operation based at least in part on the received control signal. 
     
     
         12 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from the portable electronic device to change a voltage of the welding operation, and to change the voltage of the welding operation based at least in part on the received control signal. 
     
     
         13 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from the portable electronic device to add advanced welding process functionality to the welding power supply, and to add the advanced welding process functionality based on the received control signal. 
     
     
         14 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly send data relating to a user-preferred welding process parameter for the welding power supply to the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the local control circuitry and the portable electronic device are configured to bi-directionally communicate information relating to a preset value for a parameter of the welding power supply, wherein the bi-directional communication includes only digital communication. 
     
     
         16 . The welding power supply of  claim 2 , wherein the local control circuitry is configured to wirelessly receive the control signal from the portable electronic device to change a welding process type of the welding power supply, and to change the welding process type based on the received control signal.