Patent ID: 9399261
Filing Date: 2016-07-26
CPC Classification: B23K,H02J

Claim Text:
1. A welding system comprising: a generator; an engine configured to drive the generator to produce a first power output; an energy storage device configured to discharge energy to produce a second power output; a controller configured to control delivery of a weld power output from the welding system, the weld power output including power from at least one of the first power output or the second power output, wherein the controller in operation causes the weld output power to include power from the first power output but not the second power output when a commanded output is below a preset threshold and to include power from both the first power output and the second power output when the commanded output is above the preset threshold; and a contactor controlled by the controller and configured to enable the energy storage device to provide the second power output as part of the weld power output when the commanded output is above the preset threshold, wherein the controller, in operation, receives feedback from the weld power output and commands, automatically and in a closed loop manner, opening or closing of the contactor to provide the second power output as part of the weld output power during weld operations based upon power needed for the welding operation and to enable the first power output to charge the energy storage device independent of a charge state of the energy storage device between weld operations, wherein the controller commands opening or closing of the contactor to enable or disable the energy storage device from providing the second power output based upon the preset threshold of a parameter of welding power.