System and Method for Pairing Welding Devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for pairing welding devices in a welding system. In one method, the method includes sending a pairing request from a first welding device to a second welding device. The method also includes receiving, at the first welding device, a response to the pairing request from the second welding device. The second welding device is physically connected to the first welding device. The pairing request or the response includes a change in welding power, welding consumables, or any combination thereof The method includes pairing the first welding device and the second welding device after the first welding device receives the response to the pairing request from the second welding device.

1 . A method for pairing welding devices comprising:
 sending a pairing request from a first welding device to a second welding device;   receiving, at the first welding device, a response to the pairing request from the second welding device, wherein the second welding device is physically connected to the first welding device, and wherein the pairing request or the response comprises a change in welding power, welding consumables, or any combination thereof; and   pairing the first welding device and the second welding device after the first welding device receives the response to the pairing request from the second welding device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the pairing request from the first welding device to the second welding device comprises sending the pairing request using data carried by welding power. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the pairing request from the first welding device to the second welding device comprises sending a unique identifier of the first welding device to the second welding device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second welding device is physically connected to the first welding device via a cable. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pairing request or the response comprises a pulsed change in welding power. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the welding consumables comprise a shielding gas. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the welding consumables comprise welding wire. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pairing the first welding device and the second welding device comprises sending an acknowledgment from the first welding device to the second welding device to notify the second welding device that the response was received. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising powering the first welding device, wherein powering the first welding device results in the pairing request being sent from the first welding device to the second welding device. 
     
     
         10 . A welding system comprising:
 a first welding device; and   a second welding device configured to provide welding power, welding consumables, or any combination thereof to the first welding device;   wherein the first welding device is configured to send a pairing request to the second welding device, receive a response to the pairing request from the second welding device, and pair with the second welding device after receiving the response to the pairing request, wherein the pairing request or the response comprises a change in welding power, welding consumables, or any combination thereof   
     
     
         11 . The welding system of  claim 10 , comprising a cable coupling the first welding device to the second welding device. 
     
     
         12 . The welding system of  claim 11 , wherein the cable is configured to carry welding power between the first welding device and the second welding device. 
     
     
         13 . The welding system of  claim 12 , wherein the first welding device is configured to communicate with the second welding device using data carried by the welding power. 
     
     
         14 . The welding system of  claim 10 , wherein the first welding device is configured to initiate restoring a previous pairing with the second welding device if the previous pairing existed within a predetermined duration. 
     
     
         15 . The welding system of  claim 10 , wherein the first welding device is configured to send the pairing request to the second welding device as a result of being powered on. 
     
     
         16 . A method for pairing welding devices comprising:
 receiving a pairing request from a first welding device at a second welding device;   sending, from the second welding device, a response to the pairing request, wherein the second welding device is physically connected to the first welding device, and wherein the pairing request or the response comprises a change in welding power, welding consumables, or any combination thereof; and   pairing the first welding device and the second welding device after the second welding device sends the response to the pairing request.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising restoring a previous pairing between the first welding device and the second welding device if the previous pairing existed within a predetermined duration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined duration is based on a duration that begins after the first welding device is powered off 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein sending the response to the pairing request comprises sending a unique identifier of the second welding device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pairing request or the response comprises a pulsed change in welding power.