TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to welding and plasma cutting systems torches, and more particularly to configurations and methods associated with indicators located on or in the torches.

BACKGROUND

The provision of indicators on welding or plasma cutting torches to provide a status of a process parameter and/or of an operating mode of the torches can provide a distraction to the users of the torches during a time when the welding or plasma cutting process is being carried out. Accordingly, a need remains in the art to reduce or eliminate such distractions.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed towards a welding or plasma cutting system that includes a torch having a torch body. Located on or in the torch body are one or more status indicators that are intended to be in a line of sight of a user of the torch. The one or more status indicators may be, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), a digital or graphical display, or any other type of indicator that is capable of providing information to the user regarding a process parameter and/or an operating state of the torch or of other components of the welding and plasma cutting system. According to some implementations, the welding and plasma cutting system includes control circuitry coupled to the one or more status indicators. The control circuitry is configured to activate the one or more status indicators prior to a carrying out of a welding or plasma cutting operation through use of the torch. The control circuitry is also configured to deactivate the one or more status indicators during a time, or just prior to a time, when the welding or plasma cutting operation is being carried out by the torch. The present disclosure is also directed towards an associated method of operating the torch whereby the one or more status indicators are activated prior to a carrying out of a welding or plasma cutting operation, and subsequently deactivating the one or more status indicators during a time when the welding or plasma cutting operation is being carried out.

The status indicators may provide a status of a process parameter of a utility being supplied to the torches (e.g. power data, process gas pressure data, etc.) and/or of an operating mode of the torches (e.g. automatic mode, manual mode, etc.) and/or other indications, such as those that indicate whether or not interchangeable parts are properly assembled on the torch and/or whether the interchangeable parts are genuine parts properly associated with the type of torch to which they are attached.

By reducing the number of status indicators that are activated on the torch or by eliminating the activation of all status indictors on the torch located in the line of sight of the user during the time the welding or plasma cutting system is being carried out, the user of the torch is presented with fewer distraction during the welding or plasma cutting operation.

In a cutting system, a deactivation of one or more, or all of the status indicators on the torch may occur, for example, upon (1) an arc power being delivered to the torch tip or electrode, (2) an electrical circuit being established across the torch and the workpiece being cut, (3) a threshold current being delivered to the torch, (4) a trigger on the torch being depressed to initiate a delivery of starting arc power to the torch, etc. In a welding system, a deactivation of one or more, or all of the status indicators on the torch may occur, for example, upon (1) a welding power being delivered to the torch, (2) an electrical circuit being established across the torch and the workpiece being welded, (3) a threshold current being delivered to the torch, (4) a trigger on the torch being depressed to initiate a delivery of welding power to the torch, etc.

These and other advantages and features will become evident in view of the drawings and detailed description.

