Welder having feedback control

摘要

A method and apparatus for improving the flow control of a shielding gas in a welding unit is described which uses feedback from at least one of a mass flow controller, a pressure sensor and a valve position sensor to regulate shielding gas flow through a controller.

主权项

1. A welding system comprising:
a shielding gas input; a shielding gas output coupled to a welding gun having a trigger; a valve for regulating flow between said shielding gas input and said shielding gas output; and a feedback control system for at least said shielding gas comprising at least two sensors, one sensor being a valve position sensor and at least one second sensor selected from the group consisting of a mass flow sensor and a pressure sensor:
said mass flow sensor for measuring flow between said shielding gas input and said shielding gas output;said pressure sensor for determining the pressure of the flow and communicating said pressure to said controller for adaptive preflow control;said valve position sensor for communicating a valve position to a controller based upon valve position output from a valve position sensor; and whereinsaid feedback control system analyzes signals from said valve position sensor and said at least one of said flow sensor and said pressure sensor to adjust said shielding gas output based on said at least two signals.