Method and apparatus to adaptively cool a welding-type system

Abstract

A cooling system connected to provide coolant to a welding-type component automatically circulates coolant through the welding component upon activation of the welding component. A controller is configured to regulate the cooling system such that upon activation of the welding-type component coolant is caused to at least flow through the welding-type component and circulate after deactivation of the welding torch until a temperature of the coolant falls below a certain value or a specified time period has expired. The cooling system is constructed to be integrally disposed within a power source housing.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A welder comprising: 
 a welding torch configured to present an electrode to a weld;    an enclosure defined by a base plate, a pair of side plates, a pair of end plates, and a top cover;    a power conditioner disposed within the enclosure and configured to condition raw power into a form usable in a welding process; and    a cooling system disposed within the enclosure and designed to circulate coolant through the welding torch connected to the enclosure.    
   
   
       25 . The welder of  claim 24  wherein the cooling system is further configured to automatically commence coolant circulation through the torch when the electrode is presented to the weld.  
   
   
       26 . The welder of  claim 25  wherein the cooling system is further configured to maintain coolant flow though the welding torch until a temperature of the welding torch falls below a temperature set point.  
   
   
       27 . The welder of  claim 25  wherein the cooling system is further configured to maintain coolant flow through the welding torch until expiration of a time period following removal of the electrode from the weld.  
   
   
       28 . The welder of  claim 24  further comprising at least one coolant hose connecting the cooling system and the welding torch.  
   
   
       29 . The welder of  claim 24  further comprising a controller configured to control the cooling system and the power conditioner.  
   
   
       30 . The welder of  claim 24  wherein the cooling system includes a heat exchanger, a water pump, and a coolant tank.  
   
   
       31 . The welder of  claim 30  wherein the cooling system further includes a check valve biased to prevent coolant flow when the welder torch is disconnected from the enclosure.  
   
   
       32 . The welder of  claim 24  wherein the cooling system further includes a coolant level indicator mounted to one of the end plates or one of the side plates.  
   
   
       33 . The welder of  claim 24  wherein the cooling system further includes a coolant tank and a spout extending exteriorly of the enclosure, and a coolant passage connecting the spout and the tank.  
   
   
       34 . A welding-type power source comprising: 
 an enclosure;    a power supply circuit disposed in the enclosure and configured to receive a raw power input and provide a power output usable by a welding-type process; and    a cooling system disposed in the enclosure and configured to circulate coolant to regulate a temperature in at least the enclosure.    
   
   
       35 . The welding-type power source of  claim 34  further comprising an outlet configured to receive a hose of a welding-type component.  
   
   
       36 . The welding-type power source of  claim 35  wherein the cooling system is further configured to circulate coolant to the welding-type component via the hose.  
   
   
       37 . The welding-type power source of  claim 36  further comprising a check valve configured to prevent outflow of coolant through the outlet when the hose is disconnected form the outlet.  
   
   
       38 . The welding-type power source of  claim 34  further comprising a controller configured to regulate the cooling system to automatically at least circulate coolant at start-up of the welding-type process.  
   
   
       39 . The welding-type power source of  claim 38  wherein the controller is further configured to maintain coolant circulation after termination of the welding-type process if a temperature in a welding-type torch connected to the enclosure exceeds a threshold.  
   
   
       40 . A welding system comprising: 
 a power source connectable to a coolant-cooled welding torch;    a cooling system disposed in the power source and configured to circulate coolant to at least the welding torch during a welding process; and    at least one check valve integrated with the cooling system and biased to prevent coolant leakage from the power source when the welding torch is disconnected from the power source.    
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 40  further comprising a controller operationally connected to the cooling system such that coolant is automatically circulated upon commencement of welding.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 40  wherein the cooling system further includes: 
 a coolant tank;    a pump assembly configured to draw coolant from the coolant tank and deliver coolant to the welding torch; and    a heat exchanger configured to lower a temperature of coolant being reclaimed from the welding torch.    
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the coolant includes water and further comprising a supply path from the tank to the welding torch and a return path from the welding torch to the tank.