Method and Apparatus For Welding With Limited Term Software

Abstract

A method and apparatus for welding uses a power circuit and a controller connected to the power circuit. The controller included a welding program having a limited term. The program may be part of a system, or a stand alone program. The controller has a data port and the welding program and/or an authorization is received by the controller on the data port in one embodiment. The welding program includes a limited time module, a limited time in use module, a limited arc start module, a controlled short circuit program, and/or a pulse program in various embodiments. A second welding program, without a limited term module, may be provided.

1 . A welding system comprising:
 a power circuit; and   a controller, connected to the power circuit, including a welding program having a limited term.   
     
     
         2 . The welding system of  claim 1  wherein the controller further comprises a data port, and wherein at least one of the welding program and an authorization is received by the controller on the data port. 
     
     
         3 . The welding system of  claim 2 , wherein the data port is configured to be connectable to at least one of a pda, a network interface, a robot and an internet connection. 
     
     
         4 . The welding system of  claim 3 , wherein the data port includes at least one of a wireless connection and a user interface. 
     
     
         5 . The welding system of  claim 1 , wherein the welding program includes at least one of a limited time module, a limited time in use module, and a limited arc start module. 
     
     
         6 . The welding system of  claim 1 , wherein the welding program includes at least one of a controlled short circuit program, and a pulse program. 
     
     
         7 . A method of welding comprising:
 providing a first welding program, wherein the first welding program includes a limited term module;   providing welding power in accordance with the first welding program; and   terminating the availability of the first welding program in response to the limited term module.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising providing a second welding program without a limited term module, and providing welding power in accordance with the second welding program. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving at least one of the welding program and an authorization on a data port that is part of a welding system. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising connecting a pda to the data port. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein connecting includes wirelessly connecting. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein terminating is done after at least one of a selected period of time, a selected length of time of use of the first welding program, and a selected number of arc starts using the first welding program. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the first the welding program includes providing at least one of a controlled short circuit program and a pulse program. 
     
     
         14 . A system for welding, comprising:
 means for storing a first welding program;   means for providing welding power, connected to the means for storing; and   means for terminating the availability of the first welding program after a limited term, connected to the means for storing.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising means for receiving the welding program, connected to the means for storing. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the means for terminating includes means for determining at least one of an elapsed time, an amount of time the first welding program is used to weld, and a selected number of arc starts. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein providing the first welding program includes providing at least one of a controlled short circuit program and a pulse program. 
     
     
         18 . A welding program including at least one process module and a limited term module. 
     
     
         19 . The welding program of  claim 18 , wherein the welding program includes at least one of a limited time module, a limited time in use module, and a limited arc start module. 
     
     
         20 . The welding program of  claim 19 , wherein the welding program includes at least one of a controlled short circuit program, and a pulse program. 
     
     
         21 . A method of providing a welding program test period, comprising:
 providing a first process module;   providing a limited term module; and   terminating the availability of the first welding program in response to the limited term module.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a second welding process module. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein terminating is done after at least one of a selected period of time, a selected length of time of use of the first welding program, and a selected number of arc starts using the first welding program. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein providing the first process module includes providing at least one of a controlled short circuit program and a pulse program.