Wireless communication network sensor information for control of industrial equipment in harsh environments

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a system includes a master node device. The master node device includes communication circuitry configured to facilitate communication with a welding power supply unit via a long-range communication link, and to facilitate wireless communication with one or more welding-related devices via a short-range wireless communication network. The master node device also includes control circuitry configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors within a physical vicinity of the short-range wireless communication network, and to route the sensor data to final destinations for the one or more sensors.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Non-provisional U.S. Patent Application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 684,556, entitled “Wireless Communication Network Sensor Information for Control of Industrial Equipment in Harsh Environments”, filed Aug. 17, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]The invention relates generally to communications between industrial equipment and, more specifically, to a wireless communication network for control of industrial equipment in harsh environments.[0003]Welding-related devices, such as the welding wire feeders, welding torches, welding helmets, welding control pendants, welding foot pedals, and so forth, are often operated at welding locations that are remote from sources of power, such as welding power supply units. For example, such remote welding locations may be up to, or even greater than, 300 feet from a source of power. As such, long cables are often exten...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling industrial equipment in harsh environments using wireless communication networks. The invention addresses the problem of long cables and noise in such environments, as well as security concerns. The invention includes a master node device that facilitates communication with a welding power supply unit and wirelessly communicates with one or more welding-related devices. The master node device also receives sensor data from one or more sensors within a physical vicinity of the wireless communication network and routes the sensor data to final destinations for the sensors. The invention provides a solution for efficient and secure communication between welding equipment and a welding power supply unit in harsh environments.

Problems solved by technology

As such, long cables are often extended to such remote welding locations, which can become very cumbersome.

Moreover, in certain welding applications, such as ship building applications, a number of remote welding locations may be used at any given time in relatively small areas, thereby exacerbating the problem of extending cables to these remote welding locations.

Furthermore, the use of wireless communication technologies in such environments has heretofore proven problematic, at least due to noise considerations (which generally hamper wireless communication), security considerations, and so forth.

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