Survey of Alternating-Current Power Supplies for Welding

摘要

This report presents the results of a survey made to determine the availability of an unusual alternating-current power supply for welding. Studies which are currently under way require a power unit with variable frequency output conditions and an open-circuit voltage which is double the usual amount. Equipment meeting all of the requirements is not available commercially; however, power units of the type desired are in the design stages and some prototype construction has been undertaken. Then design of a variable-frequency power supply with the specified output-voltage characteristics appears to be technically feasible. A number of prototype power supplies with output characteristics which can be controlled or programmed to suit the welding application have been constructed. Considerable research has been conducted with such equipment to study the arc characteristics and to relate weld properties to the shape of the output-current waveform. The results of such investigations are reported also. (Author)