Patent ID: 8569652
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A welding system, comprising: an engine configured to drive a generator to produce a first power output, wherein the engine is rated below approximately 25 horsepower; an energy storage device configured to discharge energy to produce a second power output; a charger coupled to the energy storage device and to the engine and configured to receive power from the engine and to charge the energy storage device with the received power; and a controller configured to control access to power from the energy storage device to produce the second power output when a commanded output is less than or equal to a first threshold, to control access to power from the engine to produce the first power output when the commanded output is between the first threshold and a second threshold, and to control access to power from both the energy storage device to produce the second power output and the engine to produce the first power output when the commanded output is greater than or equal to the second threshold.