Patent Publication Number: US-2022234129-A1

Title: Gas surge prevention using improved flow regulators in welding-type systems

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to welding-type systems and, more particularly, to gas surge prevention using improved flow regulators in welding-type systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some welding-type systems use compressed air and/or shielding gas to protect (or shield) against impurities that can be caused by elements in the atmosphere. Flow regulators are used to regulate a flow rate of compressed air and/or shielding gas in the welding-type system. Conventional flow regulators must be manually adjusted by hand to control air/gas flow rates from the air/gas bottle to the welding-type operation. 
     SUMMARY 
     Gas surge prevention using improved flow regulators in welding-type systems, substantially as illustrated by and described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
     These and other advantages, aspects, and/or novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an illustrated example thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Features, aspects, and/or advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an example of a welding-type system, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of an example fluid supply system that may be used with the welding-type system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of an example improved fluid supply system that may be used with the welding-type system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating an example fluid control process, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating an example surge prevention process, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The figures are not necessarily to scale. Where appropriate, similar or identical reference numbers are used to refer to similar or identical components. For example, reference numerals utilizing lettering (e.g., pressure gauge  214   a , pressure gauge  214   b ) refer to instances of the same reference numeral that does not have the lettering (e.g., pressure gauges  214 ). 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Welding-type systems that use fluid (e.g., shielding gas and/or compressed air) sometimes route the fluid through an on/off solenoid valve in a welding-type power supply, wire feeder, or welding tool (e.g., welding torch). When a welding-type operation (e.g., welding, cutting, etc.) begins, the on/off solenoid valve is opened to allow fluid to flow from a fluid supply tank. When the welding-type operation ends (or after a post flow operation ends), the valve is closed. However, because fluid is still trying to flow from the fluid supply tank when the valve is closed, there may be a sudden surge of pressurized fluid when the valve is next opened, which can have a negative impact on the next welding-type operation. 
     Example improved fluid supply systems disclosed herein include a proportional valve upstream from the on/off solenoid valve, as well as a surge prevention process. The proportional valve may be electrically controlled, unlike the manual hand adjusted flow control valves in conventional systems. The surge prevention process controls the proportional valve and the on/off solenoid valve so that the proportional valve closes before the on/off valve at the end of a welding operation. After closing the proportional valve, the fluid flow path between the two valves may be allowed to equalize to an ambient pressure before the on/off valve is closed. Thus, there is no pressure buildup when the on/off valve is closed, nor a sudden surge of pressurized fluid when the on/off valve is next opened. 
     Some examples of the present disclosure relate to a welding-type system, comprising a first valve in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir; a second valve in fluid communication with the first valve and a welding tool; and control circuitry configured to: in response to detecting an end of a weld, or an end of a postflow operation following the end of the weld: close the first valve via a first control signal, and close the second valve via a second control signal after a pressure in a flow path between the first valve and the second valve has equalized to an ambient environment pressure. 
     In some examples, the flow path comprises a third flow path, and the first valve has a first flow path and a first plunger configured to adjustably restrict the first flow path via a plurality of steady state plunger positions. In some examples, the second valve has a second flow path and a second plunger configured to open or close the second flow path. In some examples, the first valve is a proportional valve. 
     In some examples, the second valve is an on or off solenoid valve. In some examples, the second valve is in a welding-type power supply, a wire feeder, or the welding tool. In some examples, the control circuitry is configured to wait a first time period after closing the first valve before closing the second valve in order to provide time for the pressure in the flow path between the first valve and the second valve to equalize to the ambient environment pressure. 
     In some examples, the system further comprises an energy harvester configured to harvest electrical energy from fluid flowing from the fluid reservoir, the electrical energy used to power the first valve. In some examples, the system further comprises a scale configured to detect a weight of the fluid reservoir, the control circuitry being further configured to generate a notification or disable a piece of welding-type equipment via a third control signal in response to the weight falling below a threshold weight. In some examples, the system further comprises a flow meter configured to measure a fluid flow through the first valve or the second valve, the control circuitry being further configured to monitor a fluid count based on the fluid flow measured by the flow meter, and generate a notification in response to the fluid count being outside of a threshold range. 
     Some examples of the present disclosure relate to a method, comprising: in response to detecting an end of a weld or an end of a postflow operation following the end of the weld: closing a first valve via a first control signal sent by control circuitry, the first valve being in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir; and closing a second valve via a second control signal sent by the control circuitry after a pressure in a flow path between the first valve and the second valve has equalized to an ambient environment pressure, the second valve being in fluid communication with the first valve and a welding tool. 
     In some examples, the flow path comprises a third flow path, and the first valve has a first flow path and a first plunger configured to adjustably restrict the first flow path via a plurality of steady state plunger positions. In some examples, the second valve has a second flow path and a second plunger configured to open or close the second flow path. In some examples, the first valve is a proportional valve. 
     In some examples, the second valve is an on or off solenoid valve. In some examples, the second valve is in a welding-type power supply, a wire feeder, or the welding tool. In some examples, the method further comprises waiting a first time period after closing the first valve before closing the second valve in order to provide time for the pressure in the flow path between the first valve and the second valve to equalize to the ambient environment pressure. 
     In some examples, the method further comprises harvesting electrical energy from fluid flowing from the fluid reservoir via an energy harvester; and using the electrical energy to power the first valve. In some examples, the method further comprises detecting a weight of the fluid reservoir via a scale; and generating a notification or disabling a piece of welding-type equipment via a third control signal sent by the control circuitry in response to the weight falling below a threshold weight. In some examples, the method further comprises measuring a fluid flow through the first valve or the second valve via a flow meter; monitoring a fluid count, via the control circuitry, based on the fluid flow measured by the flow meter; and generating a notification, via the control circuitry, in response to the fluid count being outside of a threshold range 
       FIG. 1  shows an example of a welding-type system  100 , such as may be used to conduct welding-type operations (e.g., welding, cutting, brazing, etc.). In some examples, the example welding-type system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  may be used to conduct gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes. In some examples, the welding-type system  100  may also be used to conduct other arc welding processes (e.g., flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), gas shielded flux-cored arc welding (FCAW-G), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), submerged arc welding (SAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), or similar arc welding processes). In some examples, the welding-type system  100  may be used with metal fabrication systems, such as plasma cutting systems, induction heating systems, and so forth. 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the welding-type system  100  includes a welding-type power supply  102  (a.k.a., a welding-type power source), a wire feeder  104 , a fluid tank  106 , and a welding-type tool  108  (e.g., welding torch). In some examples, the welding-type power supply  102  generally supplies welding-type power for the various welding-type components and/or accessories of the welding-type system  100  (e.g., the welding wire feeder  104  and/or welding-type tool  108 ) through connections of one or more plugs  111  with one or more sockets  110  of the power supply  102 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the welding-type power supply  102  is coupled to the welding wire feeder  104  through one plug  111   a  and socket  110   a  connection, and coupled to a work clamp  116  through another plug  111   c  and socket  110   c  connection. The plug  111   c  is coupled to one or more lead cables  114  that lead to the workpiece  112  through the work clamp  116 , while the plug  111   a  is connected to one or more weld cables  118  which lead to the wire feeder  104 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the fluid tank  106  is coupled to the welding-type tool  108  through the wire feeder  104  via a fluid hose  132 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the wire feeder  104  includes a socket  122  connected to a cable  124  of the welding-type tool  108  that is plugged into the socket  122 . In some examples, welding-type power from the welding-type power supply  102  and/or fluid from the fluid tank  106  may be delivered to the welding-type tool  108  through the connection of the cable  124  and socket  122 . In some examples, filler material (e.g., wire) from the wire feeder  104  may also be supplied to the welding-type tool  108  via connection of the cable  124  and the socket  122 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , a trigger plug  125  of the welding-type tool  108  is also connected to the wire feeder  104 . Via the trigger plug  125  connection, signals from activation/deactivation of the welding-type tool  108  (e.g., via trigger pull/release) may be communicated. 
     In some examples, the welding-type power supply  102  may instead directly couple to the cable  124  and/or trigger plug  125  of the welding-type tool  108 , such that power, filler material, fluid, and/or trigger signals may be directly transmitted through the socket  110  of the power supply  102 . In such an example, the fluid tank  106  may instead be coupled to the welding-type power supply  102  via hose  132 , rather than the wire feeder  104 , and/or the wire feeder  104  may be part of the welding-type power supply  102 . In some examples, an operator may activate the tool  108  to initiate an arc (and/or other welding-type operation) between the tool  108  and the workpiece  112 . While the welding-type tool  108  is depicted as a welding torch in the example of  FIG. 1 , in some examples, the tool  108  may be some other welding-type tool. 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , a conventional fluid regulator  202  is coupled to the fluid tank  106 . In some examples, the fluid tank  106  may be a tank of compressed air, shielding gas, or some other type and/or source of fluid (e.g., bottle, cylinder, etc.). In the example of  FIG. 1 , the fluid tank  106  includes a hand wheel  130  configured to open and/or close a globe valve of the fluid tank  106  when turned. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an example fluid supply system  200  that may be used with the welding-type system  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the fluid supply system  200  includes a fluid tank  106 , a fluid regulator  202 , an on/off solenoid valve  204 , and the welding-type tool  108  in fluid communication with one another via fluid path  206 . In some examples, the fluid path  206  may be made up of one or more pipes, tubes, conduits, cables (e.g., cable  124 ), hoses (e.g., hose  132 ), and/or other fluid communication means. 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the fluid tank  106  includes a globe valve  134  with a hand wheel  130  that is configured to open and/or close the globe valve  134  when turned. When the globe valve  134  is closed, the globe valve  134  prohibits fluid from flowing from the fluid tank  106 . When the globe valve  134  is opened, fluid may flow from the fluid tank  106  into the fluid path  206  of the fluid supply system  200 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the fluid regulator  200  is downstream from the globe valve  134 , and upstream from the on/off solenoid valve  204  and welding tool  108 . As used herein, upstream refers to a position in the fluid path  206  closer to the fluid tank  108 , while downstream refers to a position in the fluid path closer to the welding-type tool  108 . As shown, the fluid regulator  202  includes a pressure regulator  208  and a flow regulator  210 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the pressure regulator  208  includes a pressure valve  212 , a first pressure gauge  214   a , and a second pressure gauge  214   b  (though, in some examples, the pressure regulator  208  may include only one pressure gauge  214 ). In some examples, the pressure valve  212  is a mechanical device that reduces the pressure of the fluid flowing from the fluid tank  106  to a lower pressure that is more manageable for the fluid supply system  200 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , the first pressure gauge  214   a  of the pressure regulator  208  is in fluid communication with, and configured to measure the fluid pressure in, the fluid path  206  on the upstream side of the of pressure valve  212 . The second pressure gauge  214   b  is in fluid communication with, and configure to measure the fluid pressure in, the fluid path  206  on the downstream side of the pressure valve  212 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the flow regulator  210  is downstream of the pressure regulator  208 , and includes a needle valve  216  and a ball float flow meter  218 . The needle valve  216  includes a hand adjustable knob  220  configured to adjust the size of a valve opening in the needle valve  216  in response to movement (e.g., turning) of the knob  220  (e.g., via the hand of an operator). In some examples, changing the size of the valve opening of the needle valve  216  changes a flow rate of fluid through the needle valve  216 . In some examples, the ball float flow meter  218  measures the flow rate of fluid through the fluid path  206  downstream (or, in some examples, upstream) of the needle valve  216 . A ball that moves up in down in a marked tube of the ball float flow meter  218  can be read by a nearby operator to determine the fluid flow rate measured by the ball float flow meter  218 . In some examples, other mechanical flow meters may be used instead of the ball float flow meter  218 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the on/off solenoid valve  204  is downstream of the flow regulator  210  in a piece of welding-type equipment  250  (e.g., the welding-type power supply  102  and/or the wire feeder  104 ). In some examples, the on/off solenoid valve  204  may instead be proximate and/or part of the welding-type tool  108 . As shown, the fluid flow path  206  ends at the welding-type tool  108  after going through the welding-type equipment  250 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the welding-type equipment  250  connects to the welding-type tool  108  via the fluid flow path  206 . As shown, the welding-type equipment  250  also has a separate connection to the welding-type tool  108 , such as for routing electrical power, electrical signals, and/or wire, for example. In some examples, both connections of the welding-type equipment  250  to the welding-type tool  108  in  FIG. 2  may be implemented via the connection of the cable  124  to the welding-type tool  108  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the welding-type equipment  250  includes equipment control circuitry  252 , an equipment user interface (UI)  254 , and one or more equipment specific devices  256  interconnected with one another. In some examples, the equipment control circuitry  252  may include memory circuitry and/or processing circuitry. Though not shown for the sake of clarity and simplicity, in some examples, the equipment control circuitry  252  may be in electrical communication with the on/off solenoid valve  204  (e.g., to control the operation of the on/off solenoid valve  204 ). 
     In some examples, the equipment UI  254  may comprise user accessible inputs and/or outputs. For example, the equipment UI  254  may comprise one or more visual outputs (e.g., touch display screens, video monitors, light emitting diodes, incandescent lights, and/or other lights, etc.) and/or one or more audio outputs (e.g., audio speakers). In some examples, the equipment UI  254  may further comprise one or more inputs (e.g., touch display screens, buttons, knobs, switches, microphones, etc.). In some examples, the equipment UI  254  may comprise one or more input and/or output ports and/or devices (e.g., USB ports, audio ports, HDMI ports, etc.). 
     In some examples, the equipment specific device(s)  256  may include devices specific to the particular piece of welding-type equipment  250 . For example, where the welding-type equipment  250  is a welding-type power supply  102 , the equipment specific device(s)  256  may include power conversion circuitry configured to receive input power, and convert the input power to welding-type output power (e.g., used by the welding-type tool  108 ). As another example, where the welding-type equipment  250  is a wire feeder  104 , the equipment specific device(s)  256  may include a motor and several wire rollers to feed wire to the welding-type tool  108 . In some examples, the one or more of the equipment specific devices  256  may be controlled by the equipment control circuitry  252 . 
     In some examples, the welding-type tool  108  may send one or more control signals to the equipment control circuitry  252  (e.g., in response to an activation and/or deactivation of the welding-type tool  108 ). In some examples, the equipment control circuitry  252  may control the on/off solenoid valve  204  based on the signal(s) received from the welding-type tool  108 , such as by energizing/opening the on/off solenoid valve  204  in response to activation (e.g., a trigger pull) of the welding-type tool  108  and de-energizing/closing the on/off solenoid valve  204  in response to deactivation (e.g., trigger release) of the welding-type tool  108 . In some examples, the equipment control circuitry  252  may delay closing the on/off solenoid valve  204  following deactivation of the welding-type tool  108  to perform a post flow operation. 
     However, in either case, there is no way for the equipment control circuitry  252  to control closure of the needle valve  216  as well as the on/off solenoid valve  204 . Thus, unless the needle valve  216  (and/or globe valve  134 ) is closed by hand, fluid will continue to try to flow to the welding-type tool  108  right up until the on/off solenoid  204  is closed. This may result in buildup of fluid pressure behind the on/off solenoid valve  204  and a potential surge of expelled fluid when the on/off solenoid  204  is next opened, which may negatively impact the welding-type operation. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an example improved fluid supply system  300  that may be used with the welding-type system  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the improved fluid supply system  300  is similar to the fluid supply system  200 . For example, the improved fluid supply system  300  also includes the fluid tank  106 , the pressure regulator  208 , the on/off solenoid valve  204  of the welding-type equipment  250 , and the welding-type tool  108  in fluid communication with one another via fluid path  206 . 
     Unlike the fluid supply system  200 , the improved fluid supply system  300  depicted in  FIG. 3  includes an improved flow regulator  310  instead of the flow regulator  210  of the fluid supply system  200  of  FIG. 2 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , the improved flow regulator  310  includes an electric flow meter  318 , an energy harvesting device  314 , a proportional solenoid valve  316 , flow control circuitry  322 , and flow communication circuity  328 . As shown, the flow control circuitry  322  and flow communication circuity  328  are electrically connected to one another. While not shown for the sake of simplicity, in some examples, the flow control circuitry  322  (and/or flow communication circuity  328 ) may also be connected to the electric flow meter  318 , the energy harvesting device  314 , and/or the proportional solenoid valve  316 . In some examples, the flow control circuitry  322  may control (e.g., via one or more control signals) the electric flow meter  318 , the energy harvesting device  314 , the proportional valve  316 , and/or the flow communication circuity  328 . 
     While not shown for the sake of simplicity, in some examples, the improved flow regulator  310  may also include a power source (e.g., a battery). In some examples, the power source may be rechargeable. In some examples, the components of the improved fluid regulator  202  may be powered by the power source. In some examples, the energy harvesting device  314  may harvest (e.g., kinetic) energy from fluid flowing through the fluid path  310  of the flow regulator  210  and convert that energy to electrical energy. For example, the energy harvesting device  314  may be a wheel that is turned, or a piezoelectric device that is vibrated, by the (e.g., kinetic) force of fluid flowing through the improved flow regulator. The captured and converted electrical energy may be used to recharge the power source of the improved flow regulator  310 , and/or to directly power one or more components of the improved flow regulator  310 . This additional harvested energy may be useful in reducing the size of the power source required for the improved flow regulator  310 , thereby also reducing the overall footprint of the improved flow regulator  310 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the improved flow regulator  310  includes an electric flow meter  318  rather than the ball float flow meter  218  of the flow regulator  210  of  FIG. 2 . In some examples, the electric flow meter  318  measures a flow rate of fluid through the fluid flow path  206  of the improved flow regulator  310  (and/or the electric flow meter  318 ). In some examples, the electric flow meter  318  may include a display screen configured to display the flow rate measurement(s). In some examples, the electric flow meter  318  may send or more signals representative of the flow rate measurement(s) to the flow control circuitry  322 . In some examples, the flow control circuitry  322  may control the flow communication circuity  328  to send one or more signals representative of the flow rate measurement(s) to other components of the improved fluid supply system  300 . While shown as being upstream from the proportional valve  316  in the example of  FIG. 3 , in some examples, the electric flow meter  318  may instead be downstream of the proportional valve  316 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the proportional solenoid valve  316  includes a plunger that is spring biased towards a closed position where the plunger completely obstructs fluid flow through the flow path  206  of the proportional valve  316 . The proportional valve  316  includes electrical conductor windings configured to move the plunger via electromagnetic force when the windings conduct electrical current. In some examples, the proportional valve  316  is configured to move the plunger to a variety of different steady state positions (and hold the plunger at those position(s)) depending upon the amount of current conducted through the windings. Thus, the proportional valve  316  may restrict fluid flow entirely, not at all, and/or to any degree in between by energizing the proportional valve  316  with the appropriate amount of electrical current. In some examples, the flow control circuitry  322  may control how much electrical current is used to energize the proportional valve  316 , and/or otherwise control the degree to which the plunger of the proportional valve  316  restricts fluid flow through the proportional valve  316 . In some examples, the proportional valve  316  may be a servo valve, and/or some other electrically controllable valve. 
     In some examples, the improved flow regulator  310  may receive a target flow rate, and the flow control circuitry 322  may continuously control and/or adjust the proportional valve  316  using feedback from the electric flow meter  318  to achieve the target flow rate. In some examples, the proportional valve  316  may include a UI through which an operator may enter the target flow rate. In some examples, an operator may set the target flow rate via the equipment UI  254  and/or a device UI  354 , and the proportional valve  316  may receive the target flow rate via the flow communication circuity  328 . In some examples, the target flow rate may be automatically set based on a selected welding-type process, an operational program, and/or some other parameter. 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the welding-type equipment  250  of the improved fluid supply system  300  still includes the equipment specific device(s)  256 , equipment UI  254 , and equipment control circuitry  252 , but also includes equipment communication circuitry  258 . Though abstracted for the sake of simplicity, in some examples, the equipment specific device(s)  256 , equipment UI  254 , equipment control circuitry  252 , and equipment communication circuitry  258  may be interconnected with one another (e.g., via a common electrical bus). In some examples, the equipment control circuitry  252  may allow the welding-type equipment  250  to send/receive signals to/from the improved flow regulator  310  and/or control device  350  to coordinate and/or control fluid flow through the improved flow regulator  310 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the improved fluid supply system  300  shown in  FIG. 3  also includes a scale  302  configured to measure a weight of the fluid tank  106 . In some examples, the scale  302  may help to determine a remaining amount of fluid in the fluid tank  106 . In some examples, determining remaining fluid via weight of the fluid tank  106  may be more accurate than determining via pressure, especially where the fluid is prone to change states at different pressures (e.g., CO2). 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the scale  302  includes (and/or is connected to) scale communication circuitry  308 . In some examples, the scale  302  may communicate with other components of the improved fluid supply system  300  via the scale communication circuitry  308 . For example, the scale communication circuitry  308  may transmit one or more signals representative of the measurements of the scale  302  to the rest of the fluid supply system  200  via the scale communication circuitry  308 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the improved fluid supply system  300  also includes a control device  350 . In some examples, the control device  350  may be a computing device, such as, for example, a remote server, desktop computer, smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc. In some examples, the control device  350  may be implemented via the welding-type equipment  250  or the improved flow regulator  310 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the control device  350  has device communication circuitry  358 , a device UI  354 , and device control circuitry  352  interconnected with one another. In some examples, the device UI  354  may comprise user accessible inputs and/or outputs. For example, the device UI  354  may comprise one or more visual outputs (e.g., touch display screens, video monitors, light emitting diodes, incandescent lights, and/or other lights, etc.) and/or one or more audio outputs (e.g., audio speakers). In some examples, the device UI  354  may further comprise one or more inputs (e.g., touch display screens, buttons, knobs, switches, microphones, etc.). In some examples, the device UI  354  may comprise one or more input and/or output ports and/or devices (e.g., USB ports, audio ports, HDMI ports, etc.). 
     In some examples, the control device  350  may use the device communication circuitry  358  to communicate with the scale communication circuitry  308 , equipment communication circuitry  258 , and/or flow communication circuity  328  of the improved fluid supply system  300 . For example, an operator may enter a target flow rate via the device UI  354  (and/or the device control circuitry  352  may determine the target flow rate based on a welding-type process, welding parameters, welding-type tool  108 , fluid type, etc. entered via the device UI  354 ), and the device communication circuitry  358  may transmit this information to the improved flow regulator  310  and/or welding-type equipment  250 . 
     While depicted as communicating wirelessly for the sake of clarity and simplicity, in some examples, the device communication circuitry  358 , scale communication circuitry  308 , equipment communication circuitry  258 , and/or flow communication circuity  328  may instead communicate over a wired connection. Wired protocols may include, for example, USB, Ethernet, serial, and/or other appropriate wired protocols. Wireless protocols may include, for example, cellular protocols, IEEE 802.11 standard protocols (commonly referred to as WiFi), short wavelength ultra-high frequency protocols (commonly referred to as Bluetooth), IEEE 802.15.4 standard protocols (commonly referred to as Zigbee), near field communication (NFC) protocols, radio frequency identification (RFID) protocols, and/or other appropriate wireless protocols. In some examples, the communication may be through a network (e.g., a Local Access Network, Wide Area Network, the Internet, etc.). 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the device control circuitry  352  includes device processing circuitry  360  and device memory circuitry  362 . In some examples, the device processing circuitry  360  may include one or more processors. As shown, the device memory circuitry  362  includes (and/or stores) a fluid control process  400 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating an example operation of the fluid control process  400 . While, in the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  is illustrated as being stored in the device memory circuitry  362 , in some examples, the fluid control process  400  may alternatively, or additionally, be implemented via discrete circuitry of the device control circuitry  352 . In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may be implemented via machine readable instructions stored in the device memory circuitry  362 . While illustrated as a single process in the example of  FIG. 4  for the sake of clarity and simplicity, in some examples, portions of the fluid control process  400  may be separately performed and/or executed by the improved flow regulator  310 , welding-type equipment  250 , and/or control device  350 . In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may be executed as part of, or in parallel with, a larger welding-type process. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  begins at block  402 , where the user provides one or more inputs (e.g., via device UI  354 ). In some examples, the user input(s) may include, for example, a welding-type process (e.g., GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SMAW, plasma, etc.), welding-type operation (welding, cutting, brazing, etc.), positioning of workpiece  112  (e.g., flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead), type of welding-type tool  108  (e.g., TIG torch, MIG gun, electrode holder, cutting tool, etc.), fluid type (e.g., compressed air, argon, helium, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.), size of fluid tank  106  (e.g., height, diameter, weight, volume, pressure when full, etc.), brand of fluid tank  106 , an identifier (e.g., serial number) of the fluid tank  106 , pressure of fluid tank  106  when full, threshold information, target flow rate, target use time, surge protection delay time, equalizing pressure, and/or other relevant information. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  proceeds to block  404  after block  402 . At block  404 , the fluid control process  400  determines a target flow rate of fluid through the fluid path  206  of the improved fluid supply system  300  based the user input(s) received at block  302 . For example, the user may directly input a target flow rate, and the fluid control process  400  may determine that this is an appropriate target flow rate (e.g., within some known, stored, and/or previously determined range). As another example, the fluid control process  400  may determine a recommended target flow rate based on other user entered information (e.g., welding-type process, welding-type operation, positioning, tool type, target time, fluid type, fluid tank size, etc.). In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may prompt for (and/or receive) user approval (e.g., via device UI  354 ) prior to proceeding with a recommended target flow rate. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  proceeds to block  406  after block  404 . At block  406 , the fluid control process  400  determines whether welding has begun. In some examples, this may entail determining whether the welding-type tool  108  has been activated. For example, an activation signal may be sent to the equipment control circuitry  252  when the welding-type tool  108  is activated (e.g., from a trigger pull, foot pedal press, etc.). This activation signal may be used to signal the welding-type equipment  250  to begin sending power and/or wire to the welding-type tool  108 . The activation signal may also be used to signal the fluid control process  400  to begin supplying fluid to the welding-type tool  108  via the fluid supply system  200 . As shown, the fluid control process  400  returns to block  404  if welding has not begun (though, in some examples, the fluid control process  400  may instead return to block  402  or  406 ). 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  proceeds to block  408  after block  406  if welding has begun. At block  408 , the fluid control process  400  opens the on/off solenoid valve  204  of the welding-type equipment  250  and controls the proportional valve  316  of the improved flow regulator  310  to achieve the target flow rate determined at block  404 . In some examples, opening the on/off solenoid valve  204  may include controlling the delivery of an appropriate amount of electrical current to the windings of the on/off solenoid valve  204  to open the valve  204 . In some examples, controlling the proportional valve  316  may include controlling the delivery of an appropriate amount of electrical current to the windings of the proportional valve  316  to move the plunger to (and/or hold the plunger at) a position that will allow fluid to flow at the target flow rate. In some examples, the target flow rate may be communicated to the improved flow regulator  310  (e.g., via flow communication circuity  328  and/or device communication circuitry  358 ), and the flow control circuitry  322  may control the proportional valve  316  to achieve the target flow rate. In some examples, the flow rate measurement(s) of the electric flow meter  318  may be continuously monitored, and the proportional valve  316  controlled accordingly, to achieve the target flow rate at block  408 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  proceeds to block  410  after block  408 . At block  410 , the fluid control process  400  determines (and/or estimates) a remaining amount of fluid in the fluid tank  106 . In some examples, the remaining amount of fluid may be stored in memory circuitry  362  with a timestamp. In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may determine the remaining amount of fluid (and/or what percentage of the fluid is remaining) based on the pressure(s) measured by the pressure regulator  208  as compared to a pressure of the fluid tank  106  when full and/or empty (e.g., input by the user at block  402 ). In some examples, the user may input a fluid type, size of the fluid tank  106 , identifier of the fluid tank  106 , and/or brand of the fluid tank  106 , and the fluid control process  400  may determine the pressure, weight, and/or amount of fluid in the fluid tank  106  when full (and/or empty) based on the this information (e.g., via a data base, lookup table, etc.). In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may default to some preset information about the fluid tank  106  if unable to determine from user input. 
     In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may determine the remaining amount of fluid in the fluid tank  106  based on an amount of fluid used and an amount of fluid in the fluid tank  106  when full (or when the fluid control process  400  began keeping track). For example, the remaining amount of fluid may be equal to the amount of fluid in the tank  106  when full (or when the fluid control process  400  began keeping track) minus the amount of fluid used. In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may use the fluid flow rate(s) measured by the electric flow meter  318  over time (and/or timestamp information) to determine and/or estimate how much fluid has been used since the beginning of the fluid control process  400  (and/or over some given amount of time). 
     In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may determine and/or estimate how much fluid has been used in terms of volumetric and/or mass flow amounts of fluid. In some examples, the volumetric amount of fluid used may be determined based on one or more integrals of the fluid flow rate(s) over time. In some examples, the mass flow amount of fluid used may be determined based on the volumetric amount, fluid pressure(s) (e.g., measured by the pressure gauge(s)  214 ), and temperature(s). In some examples, the improved gas supply system  300  may include a temperature sensor (e.g., in the improved flow regulator  310 ) configured to measure the temperature of the fluid in the fluid path  206 . 
     In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may determine the remaining amount of fluid in the fluid tank  106  based on a weight of the fluid tank  106 . For example, the scale  302  may continuously or periodically communicate (e.g., via scale communication circuitry  308 ) the weight of the fluid tank  106  to the control device  350 , and the fluid control process  400  may compare the weight of the fluid tank  106  at that time to the weight of the fluid tank  106  when full and/or empty (or when the current operation began). In some examples, the weight of the fluid tank  106  when full/empty may be predetermined, input by the user (e.g., at block  402 ), and/or automatically determined based on other information (e.g., fluid type, size of the fluid tank  106 , identifier of the fluid tank  106 , brand of the fluid tank  106 , etc.) In some examples, the weight of the fluid tank  106  may be considered an accurate and/or precise method of measuring remaining fluid, as it is not impacted by potential changes in state (e.g., liquid v. gaseous) of certain fluid types (e.g., CO2). 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  proceeds to block  412  after block  410 . At block  412 , the fluid control process  400  determines whether the remaining amount of fluid in the fluid tank  106  determined at block  410  is below a threshold level. In some examples, the threshold level may be stored in device memory circuitry  362 . In some examples, the threshold level may be input by the user at block  402  and/or automatically determined based on information input by the user at block  402 . In some examples, the threshold level may be set at a default level (e.g., 10% left) if no threshold is input by the user. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  proceeds to block  414  after block  412  if the fluid control process  400  determines that the threshold level has been reached at block  412 . At block  414 , the fluid control process  400  takes one or more preventative actions and/or generates one or more outputs to prevent the below threshold fluid level from negatively impacting a welding-type operation. For example, the fluid control process  400  may shut down and/or disable welding-type equipment  250  to prevent the below threshold fluid level from negatively impacting a welding-type operation. As another example, the fluid control process  400  may output a prominent and/or emphasized alert, notification, and/or warning on the equipment UI  254  of the welding-type equipment  250 , the device UI  354 , and/or a UI of the improved flow regulator  310 . In some examples, the alert, notification, and/or warning may be output via a communication (e.g., via email, text message, and/or or app) to an operator, owner, purchasing manager, and/or welding supply distributor. As another example, the fluid control process  300  may open a website or service where more fluid can be ordered, output a link to a website or service where more fluid can be ordered, or automatically reorder more fluid. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  ends after block  414 . However, in some examples, the fluid control process  400  may instead proceed to block  416  after  414 , instead of ending. As shown, the fluid control process  300  also proceeds to block  416  after block  412  if the remaining amount of fluid determined at block  412  is above the threshold level. 
     At block  416 , the fluid control process  400  determines a remaining time until the fluid tank  106  reaches the threshold level. In some examples, the remaining time may be a positive or negative value (e.g., to account for situations where the threshold has been surpassed). In examples where block  416  executes after block  414 , and the threshold amount of remaining fluid used at block  412  is greater than zero, the fluid control process  400  may use zero as the threshold at block  416 . 
     In some examples, the determination of remaining time may be based on the remaining fluid amount determined at block  410  and an estimated fluid use rate. In some examples, the estimated fluid use rate may be determined using an existing fluid flow rate (e.g., measured by the electric flow meter  318 ) and/or an average fluid flow rate. In some examples, the average fluid flow rate may be estimated using past timestamped fluid flow rates and/or remaining fluid levels. In some examples, the average fluid flow rate may be determined based on average fluid flow rates for similar welding-type processes, welding-type operations, tool types, fluid types, brands of fluid tanks  106 , positioning of workpieces  112 , etc. For example, the device memory circuitry  362  may have a database, lookup table, and/or other data correlations in device memory circuitry  362  that allow for this information to be accessed. 
     In some examples, the fluid control process  400  may also provide an output based on the remaining fluid and/or times determined at blocks  416  and  410 . In some examples, the remaining fluid may be output in the form of a graphic, video, audio, text, numeric, and/or percentage (e.g., of total possible and/or beginning fluid). In some examples, the output may be a communication (e.g., via email, text message, and/or app) to an operator, owner, purchasing manager, and/or welding supply distributor. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  proceeds to block  418  after block  416 . At block  418 , the fluid control process  400  determines whether the welding operation that was begun at block  406  has ended, and/or a post flow operation following the end of the welding operation has ended. In some examples, this may entail determining whether the welding-type tool  108  has been deactivated. For example, the activation signal sent to the equipment control circuitry  252  when the welding-type tool  108  is activated (e.g., from a trigger pull, foot pedal press, etc.) may be absent when the welding-type tool  108  has been deactivated (or a separate deactivation signal may be sent). In some examples, and/or for some welding processes, a post flow operation may execute following deactivation of the welding-type tool  108 . In the post flow operation, fluid may continue to flow for a predetermined amount of time after deactivation (e.g., to help purge the fluid flow path  206 ). As shown, the fluid control process  400  returns to block  408  after block  418  if the welding operation or post flow operation has not ended. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fluid control process  400  proceeds to block  500  after block  418  if the fluid control process  400  detects that the welding operation and/or the post flow operation has ended. At block  500 , the fluid control process  400  executes a surge prevention process  500 . The surge prevention process  500  is explained in further detail below with respect to  FIG. 5 . As shown, the fluid control process  400  returns to block  402  after the surge prevention process  500  (though, in some examples, the fluid control process  400  may instead return to block  404  or end). 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing an example surge prevention process  500 . As shown, the surge prevention process  500  begins at block  502 , where the surge prevention process  500  completely closes the proportional valve  316  of the improved flow regulator  310 . In some examples, this may include cutting off electrical current to the windings of the proportional valve  316 , so that the spring biases the plunger to a completely closed position that will allow no fluid to flow through the proportional valve  316 . In some examples, one or more signals representative of a close command and/or a target flow rate of zero may be communicated to the improved flow regulator  310  (e.g., via flow communication circuity  328  and/or device communication circuitry  358 ), and the flow control circuitry  322  may close the proportional valve  316  in response to receiving the signal(s). 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the surge prevention process  500  proceeds to block  504  after block  502 . At block  504 , the surge prevention process  500  determines whether a certain amount of time has elapsed since the proportional valve  316  was closed at block  504 . In some examples, the surge prevention process  500  may additionally, or alternatively, determine at block  504  whether a pressure in the fluid flow path  206  between the proportional valve  316  and on/off solenoid valve  204  has reached equilibrium with an ambient pressure of the outside environment. In some examples, the amount of time may be predetermined, stored in device memory circuitry  362 , and/or entered by the user at block  402 . In some examples, the delay at block  504  may allow time for the pressure in the fluid flow path  206  to equalize. 
     In some examples, the improved fluid supply system  300  may include one or more pressure measurement devices configured to measure the pressure in the fluid flow path  206  between the on/off solenoid valve  204  and the proportional valve  316 . In some examples, the improved fluid supply system  300  may also include one or more pressure measurement devices configured to measure the pressure of the ambient environment. In some examples, the pressure measurement device(s) may communicate the pressure measurement(s) to the control device  350  in order to help make the determination at block  504 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the surge prevention process  500  returns to block  504  if the correct amount of time has not elapsed, and/or the pressure in the fluid flow path  206  has not equalized. As shown, the surge prevention process  500  proceeds to block  506  after block  504  if the correct amount of time has elapsed, and/or the pressure in the fluid flow path  206  has equalized. At block  506 , the surge prevention process  500  closes the on/off solenoid valve  204  of the welding-type equipment  250 . In some examples, closing the on/off solenoid valve  204  may include cutting off electrical current to the windings of the on/off solenoid valve  204  to close the valve  204 . As shown, the surge prevention process  500  ends after block  506 . 
     The ability of the example proportional valve  316  to be electrically controlled allows the improved fluid supply system  300  to prevent a surge of pressurized fluid at the end of a welding-type operation by coordinate closure of the proportional valve  316  and on/off solenoid valve  204 . More particularly, being able to automatically close the proportional valve  316  and then delay closure of the on/off solenoid valve  204  allows pressure in the fluid flow path  206  to reach equilibrium with an ambient pressure after a welding operation (and/or a post flow operation) has ended. This, in turn, ensures that there is no pressure buildup and/or associated surge of pressurized fluid when the on/off solenoid valve  204  is next opened (e.g., at the start of the next welding operation); all without the need for the operator to manually intervene. 
     In some examples, a second on/off solenoid valve may be used instead of the proportional valve  316 . For example, a second on/off solenoid valve may be positioned at the same place as the proportional valve  316  (or farther upstream), and a traditional needle valve  216  may instead be used to regulate fluid flow rate. Such an example may cut down on cost by removing the proportional valve  316  while still implementing the surge prevention process  500 ; though it may also be less robust than the improved fluid supply system  300  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The present methods and systems may be realized in hardware, software, and/or a combination of hardware and software. A typical combination of hardware and software may include a general-purpose computing system with a program or other code that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computing system such that it carries out the methods described herein. Another typical implementation may comprise an application specific integrated circuit or chip. Some implementations may comprise a non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer readable) medium (e.g., FLASH drive, optical disk, magnetic storage disk, or the like) having stored thereon one or more lines of code executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine to perform processes as described herein. As used herein, the term “non-transitory machine-readable medium” is defined to include all types of machine readable storage media and to exclude propagating signals. 
     As used herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one or more of x, y and z”. 
     As used herein, the terms “approximate” and/or “approximately,” when used to modify or describe a value (or range of values), position, shape, orientation, and/or action, mean reasonably close to that value, range of values, position, shape, orientation, and/or action. Thus, the examples described herein are not limited to only the recited values, ranges of values, positions, shapes, orientations, and/or actions but rather should include reasonably workable deviations. 
     As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. 
     As used herein, the terms “couple,” “coupled,” “attach,” “attached,” “connect,” and/or “connected” refer to a structural and/or electrical affixing, joining, fasten, linking, and/or other securing. 
     As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer to physical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and/or any software and/or firmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise a first “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and may comprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines of code. 
     As utilized herein, circuitry is “configured” to perform a function whenever the circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any is necessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance of the function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by a user-configurable setting, factory trim, etc.). 
     As used herein, a control circuit may include digital and/or analog circuitry, discrete and/or integrated circuitry, microprocessors, DSPs, etc., software, hardware and/or firmware, located on one or more boards, that form part or all of a controller, and/or are used to control a welding process, and/or a device such as a power source or wire feeder. 
     As used herein, the term “processor” means processing devices, apparatus, programs, circuits, components, systems, and subsystems, whether implemented in hardware, tangibly embodied software, or both, and whether or not it is programmable. The term “processor” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, one or more computing devices, hardwired circuits, signal-modifying devices and systems, devices and machines for controlling systems, central processing units, programmable devices and systems, field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integrated circuits, systems on a chip, systems comprising discrete elements and/or circuits, state machines, virtual machines, data processors, processing facilities, and combinations of any of the foregoing. The processor may be, for example, any type of general purpose microprocessor or microcontroller, a digital signal processing (DSP) processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor may be coupled to, and/or integrated with a memory device. 
     As used, herein, the term “memory” and/or “memory device” means computer hardware or circuitry to store information for use by a processor and/or other digital device. The memory and/or memory device can be any suitable type of computer memory or any other type of electronic storage medium, such as, for example, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache memory, compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), electro-optical memory, magneto-optical memory, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a computer-readable medium, or the like. 
     The term “power” is used throughout this specification for convenience, but also includes related measures such as energy, current, voltage, and enthalpy. For example, controlling “power” may involve controlling voltage, current, energy, and/or enthalpy, and/or controlling based on “power” may involve controlling based on voltage, current, energy, and/or enthalpy. 
     As used herein, welding-type power refers to power suitable for welding, cladding, brazing, plasma cutting, induction heating, CAC-A and/or hot wire welding/preheating (including laser welding and laser cladding), carbon arc cutting or gouging, and/or resistive preheating. 
     As used herein, a welding-type power supply and/or power source refers to any device capable of, when power is applied thereto, supplying welding, cladding, brazing, plasma cutting, induction heating, laser (including laser welding, laser hybrid, and laser cladding), carbon arc cutting or gouging and/or resistive preheating, including but not limited to transformer-rectifiers, inverters, converters, resonant power supplies, quasi-resonant power supplies, switch-mode power supplies, etc., as well as control circuitry and other ancillary circuitry associated therewith. 
     As used herein, a welding-type tool refers to any tool capable of performing a welding, cladding, brazing, plasma cutting, induction heating, carbon arc cutting or gouging and/or resistive preheating operation. 
     Disabling of circuitry, actuators, and/or other hardware may be done via hardware, software (including firmware), or a combination of hardware and software, and may include physical disconnection, de-energization, and/or a software control that restricts commands from being implemented to activate the circuitry, actuators, and/or other hardware. Similarly, enabling of circuitry, actuators, and/or other hardware may be done via hardware, software (including firmware), or a combination of hardware and software, using the same mechanisms used for disabling. 
     While the present method and/or system has been described with reference to certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and/or system. For example, blocks and/or components of disclosed examples may be combined, divided, re-arranged, and/or otherwise modified. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, the present method and/or system are not limited to the particular implementations disclosed. Instead, the present method and/or system will include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, both literally and under the doctrine of equivalents.