MXPA00000175A - Power supply with obliquely impinging airflow - Google Patents

Abstract

A power supply includes a housing and an air moving device (38) for moving cooling air along a flowpath extending through the housing. A heat sink (104) extends in a longitudinal direction and is positioned within the flowpath so that an upstream section of the flowpath has a flow axis (128) that defines an acute angle (A) with respect to the longitudinal direction (18). Therefore, air flowing from the upstream section of the flowpath impinges upon and is deflected by the heat sink toward and along a downstream section of the flowpath that has a flow axis that extends approximately in the longitudinal direction. An electrical component to be cooled is positioned within the flowpath downstream from the heat sink. A second heat sink (106) extends in the longitudinal direction and is laterally displaced from the first heat sink so that the flowpath extends between the first heat sink (104) and the second heat sink (106). Theupstrea ends of the heat sinks define a staggered arrangement, which is characterized by the end of one of the heat sinks extending farther then the end of the other heat sink. That staggered arrangement allows for air flowing from the upstream section of the flowpath to impinge at an acute angle upon a substantial length of the first heat sink. The air moving device is positioned in a corner of the housing that is opposite from the staggered arrangement.

Description

SUPPLY OF ENERGY WITH OBLICATE INCIDENCE AIR FLOW FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a supply of electrical power, and in particular to cooling the electrical components of a power supply of a piece of equipment that produces an electric arc, such as an arc welding machine or an arc torch. of plasma.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The production of an electric arc is central in the operation of arc welding machines and plasma arc torches. Arc arc welding machines and plasma arc torches include a power supply that creates a potential difference between an electrode and a work piece so that an electrical arc occurs between the electrode and the work piece. Arc welding machines are used to join metal workpieces and can generally be classified into three basic types: manual arc welding machines "rod electrode", MIG welding machines and TIG welding machines. By rod-electrode arc welding, a coated consumable rod or metal rod, which functions as an anode, is placed adjacent to the workpiece to be welded, which functions as a cathode. An arc is generated between the anode and the work piece to form a welding edge and join the work piece to another work piece. The heat of the arc transfers metal filler from the anode to the work pieces to form the weld edge. After the anode has been consumed, it must be replaced with a new anode. MIG (Metal-Gas Inert) welding is similar, except that an inert or slightly oxidizing gas is supplied to protect the arc from the atmosphere and improve the metallurgical qualities of the weld. TIG (Tungsten-Inert Gas) welding is similar to MIG welding, except that a non-consumable tungsten anode is used. The filling material can be supplied by an adjacent consumable rod. Plasma arc torches are commonly used to cut, weld, treat surfaces, fuse, or join a metal work piece. Said work of the workpiece is facilitated by a plasma arc extending from the plasma arc torch to the workpiece. The plasma arc is formed by introducing a gas into an electric arc that extends between the plasma arc torch and the workpiece, so that the electric arc ionizes the gas to create the plasma arc. The power supply of an arc welding machine or a plasma arc torch typically includes an input line that is connected to a conventional electrical power supply, such as domestic or industrial alternating current. The power supply also includes two output terminals. One of the terminals is electrically connected to an anode, by an electrode holder, and the other terminal is connected to the workpiece to produce an electric arc between the anode and the workpiece. The power supply typically includes a housing that contains the various electrical components of the power supply. The housing typically includes one or more covered panels that protect the electrical components of the operator. Some of the electrical components of the power supply can generate large amounts of heat. Also, many conventional power supplies include a cooling fan that directs air through the power supply to cool the electrical components. It is common in such power supplies that heat sinks that are connected to electrical components are elongated and therefore define a longitudinal axis. It is also common for the cooling fan to define a flow path with a flow axis, and for the flow axis to be parallel to the longitudinal axis. As a result, the air flow through the power supply is parallel to the cooling surfaces of the heat sinks and can be used to cool one or more heat sink components downstream of the heat sinks. Advances in the design of energy supply, such as energy, size, etc., often require higher heat removal capabilities. However, it has been found that the cooling flow that is parallel to a surface that has been cooled such as in the conventional energy supplies described above is not as effective in removing heat as a cooling flow that is perpendicular to the surface which is cooled, and therefore completely affecting it. For example, an air flow directed perpendicular to a finned surface of a heat generating device (i.e., full incidence air flow) removes more heat than an air flow directed parallel to the fins. However, it may be difficult or inefficient to use the complete incidence airflow effectively to cool the components that are distant from the component that receives the full incidence airflow. For example, it is common for a complete incident air flow to define a single flow axis upstream of the component that receives the full incidence airflow. However, the air flow is subsequently dispersed in several directions and therefore difficult to use for the purpose of directing a substantial portion of air flow to another component for it to be cooled. In this way, conventional energy supplies are limited in the amount of heat removal possible due to the use of a cooling air flow parallel to the longitudinal axes of the heat sinks. However, it has not previously been possible to deviate from the parallel air flow design since it is also desired to cool the downstream components with the cooling air flow. Therefore, there is a huge need in the industry to obtain an energy supply that has improved cooling airflow in relation to conventional power supplies that allows the cooling of downstream components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the previously identified problems and provides other advantages, for example by applying an air flow of oblique incidence towards the components of the primary heat sink. Particularly, the present invention comprises a power supply for an arc welding machine or a plasma arc torch, or the like, including a housing having at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, and an air moving device for moving the cooling air from the air inlet to the air outlet along a flow path extending through the housing. The primary heat sink extends in the longitudinal direction and is placed within the flow path. The primary heat sink is oriented in the flow path so that a section upstream of the flow path has a flow axis that defines an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction, and so that the air flowing from the section upstream of the flow path impinges and is diverted by the primary heat sink to and along the downstream section of the flow path having a flow axis that extends generally in the longitudinal direction. A secondary heat sink is placed within the flow path downstream of the primary heat sink. That is, the present invention advantageously utilizes oblique incidence airflow towards a primary heat sink to improve convective heat transfer between the primary heat sink and the air flow. In addition, the primary heat sink is placed to divert air flow to the second heat sink that is downstream of the primary heat sink, so that the secondary heat sink can also be cooled. According to one aspect of the invention, the primary heat sink is a heat sink including a plurality of fins extending in the longitudinal direction. The heat sink is connected to an electrical component that generates heat, and the secondary heat sink is another electrical component that generates heat. According to another aspect of the invention, the primary heat sink is a wall, comprising a panel containing a plurality of electrical components. According to another aspect of the invention, the primary heat sink is a first heat sink, and a second heat sink extends in the longitudinal direction and is displaced laterally from the first heat sink so that the passage is defined at less partially between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. At least a portion of the section below the flow path extends through the passage. The upstream ends of the heat sinks define a stepped arrangement, which is characterized by the end of one of the heat sinks extending beyond the end of the other heat sink. Said staggered arrangement allows the air flowing from the upstream section of the flow path to fall at an acute angle to a substantial length of the first heat sink. In addition, the air moving device is placed in a corner of the housing that is opposite the stepped arrangement, so that the air moving device can easily direct semi-incident flow to the first heat sink, and so that the size of the power supply can be kept to a minimum. The present invention advantageously utilizes oblique incidence air flow to the primary heat sink, because the oblique incidence air flow is more effective in removing heat than the air flow that is parallel to the primary heat sink. In addition, the oblique incidence air flow is diverted by the primary heat sink to a secondary heat sink that is downstream of the primary heat sink. Therefore, the present invention provides advantages of incidence flow with respect to the primary heat sink, and advantages of parallel flow with respect to the secondary heat sink.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To fully understand this invention, reference will be made to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are described below. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an arc welding machine power supply showing the front, top and right side of the power supply, according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the rear, upper and left side of the power supply. Figure 3 is a schematic view similar to Figure 2, except that the upper, right and left panels of the power supply were removed. Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of the energy supply with the top panel and the intermediate panel, and components associated therewith removed. Figure 5 is a schematic right elevation view of the power supply with the upper, right and left panels removed. Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a portion of a power supply support assembly, with the power supply heat sinks separated from the support assembly. Figure 7 is a schematic front perspective view of the portions of the support assembly illustrated in Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Hereinafter the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention can, however, be modified in different ways and should not be taken as limiting the method set forth herein; on the contrary, this modality is provided so that the description is complete and profound, and completely shows the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The numbers correspond to the elements of them. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a power supply apparatus of a piece of equipment that produces an electric arc, or more particularly an energy supply of an arc welding machine, generally indicating the power supply with the number 10. Power supply 10, or a slight variation thereof, can function as an energy supply of a plasma arc torch. The power supply 10 includes a housing 12 having an anterior panel 14 and rear panel 10. The housing 12 also includes a right panel 20, and a left panel 22 and upper panel 24. Multiple air inlet openings 26, which can to be in the form of blinds, are defined by the rear panel 16 and the left panel 22. Similarly, multiple air outlet openings 28, at least some may be in the form of blinds, are defined through the panel anterior 14, right panel 20 and left panel 22. The housing 12 can be characterized in that it defines a longitudinal axis 18 extending from the anterior panel 14 to the posterior panel 16, and that provides a frame of reference. That is, for purposes of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, "longitudinal direction" or "longitudinally" is defined as the direction of the longitudinal axis 18, and "lateral direction" or "laterally" is defined as the horizontal direction perpendicular to the axis longitudinal 18. These directions are defined with respect to the longitudinal axis 18 to make the detailed description of the preferred embodiment clearer, and not for purposes of limitation. Electricity is supplied to the power supply 10 by a power cable 30 extending from the rear panel 16, and electricity is supplied from the power supply 10 via output terminals 32 which are mounted on the front panel 14. Specifically, the power supply 10 is provided for use by connecting the power cable 30 to a conventional power supply, such as domestic or industrial alternating current. In use, one of the output terminals 32 is electrically connected in a conventional manner to an electrode (not shown), such as by an electrode holder, and the other terminal 32 is connected in a conventional manner to a workpiece ( not shown) to produce an electric arc (not shown) between the electrode and the workpiece, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The front panel 14 may also include an on / off switch and one or more voltage meters or amperage meters to inform the operator of the power supply 10 of the available electricity characteristics of the terminals 32. The front panel 14 may also include repositionable circuit breakers, a voltage output control knob, and other adjuncts that are conventionally provided in the front panel of a power supply of an arc welding machine or a plasma arc torch.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the power supply 10 with the right panel 20 (FIG 1), left panel 22 (FIG 2) and upper panel 24 (FIG 1 and FIG 2) removed. The housing 12 also includes a lower panel 34 and an intermediate panel 36. An air moving device, such as a ventilation assembly 38, is advantageously mounted to an inner corner 39, which extends vertically from the housing 12 which is defined between the left panel 22 and the rear panel 16, as will be discussed in greater detail later. As indicated by the large arrows in Figures 1-3, air is introduced into the housing 12 through the air inlet openings 26 and is pulled out of the housing through the air outlet openings 28 while the Ventilation assembly 38 is in operation. Therefore, a flow path extends through the housing 12 between the air inlet openings 26 and the air outlet openings 28. The flow path can provide a frame of reference, as should be understood by those skilled in the art. technique. That is, the term "downstream" generally refers to the direction in which air flows along the flow path, while the term "upstream" generally refers to the opposite direction. A support assembly is placed within the housing 12 to support many of the components of the power supply 10. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the support assembly includes a channel 40, a rear deflector 42 and a front deflector 44. As best seen in FIGS. , the support assembly also includes a rear deflector 46. Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of the power supply 10 with the top panel 24 (FIGS 1 and 2), the intermediate panel 36 (FIG 3) and components that the intermediate panel has removed. Figure 5 is a schematic right elevation view of the power supply 10 with the right panel 20 (FIG 1), the left panel 22 (FIG 2) and the top panel 24 removed. The rear deflector 46 includes a longitudinally extended main portion 48 (FIG 5), a flange extending laterally toward the front 50 (FIG 4) and a laterally extending flange 52 (FIG 4). The tabs 50, 52 extend only a short distance from the main portion 48. The channel 40, the rear baffle 42 and the anterior baffle 44 of the support assembly are best seen in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 illustrates channel 40, baffle rear 42 and front baffle 44 in an assembly configuration, while figure 7 illustrates said components in a separate configuration. As best seen in Figure 7, the rear baffle 42 includes a left portion 56 that extends angularly from a laterally extending central portion 54. The central portion 54 defines an upper open area 58, an average open area 60 and In addition, a vertical slot 64 is positioned laterally from a vertical edge 66 of the central portion 54. The central portion 54 further defines a receptacle opening 68. The anterior deflector 44 includes a right portion 72 and a left portion. 74 that extend angularly from a central portion with lateral extension 70. The central portion 70 defines an upper opening 76 and a lower opening 78. The central portion 70 also defines a receptacle opening 79. The right portion 72 defines side openings 80 and the left portion 74 defines lateral openings 82. The channel 40 is a U-shaped channel that is inverted and extends the gene erally in the longitudinal direction. The channel 40 includes a top panel 84, a right panel 86 and a left panel 88. The channel 40 defines an open front end 90 and an open rear end 92. A lower passage 93, which extends between the anterior end 90 and the posterior end 92, is defined through the channel 40 and is partially defined between the panels 84, 86, 88. The lower passage 93 is also defined by a portion of the lower panel 34 ( FIG 3) on which the channel 40 is mounted. The right panel 86 and the left panel 88 each define a pair of circular receptacle openings 94. The right panel 86 also defines six generally rectangular receptacle openings 96, of which only five are partially seen in Figure 7. The left panel 88 also defines an air opening 98 and a vertical slot 100. The upper panel 84 defines a pair of air openings 102. As illustrated in Figure 6, the channel 40 is mounted on the rear baffle 42 aligning the slots 64, 100 (FIG 7), so that the vertical edge 66 (FIG 7) of the rear baffle is contiguous with the inner surface of the right panel 86 (FIG 7) of the channel 40 The leading end 90 (FIG 7) of the channel 40 is mounted on the rear surface of the central portion 70 of the anterior baffle 44. Once the channel 40 is properly mounted in the anterior baffle 44 and the rear baffle 42 is illustrated in Figure 6, said assembly is mounts in the lower panel 34 (FIG 3), so that the lower passage 93 (FIG 7) is defined, as described above. With reference to Figure 7, the lower passage 93 also extends through the middle open area 60 and the lower opening 62 of the rear baffle 42, and the lower opening 78 of the anterior baffle 44. Again with reference to Figure 6 , many components of the power supply 10 are placed in the support assembly, which includes the channel 40, rear deflector 42, anterior deflector 44 and rear deflector 46 (figures 4 and 5). For example, a right heat sink 104 and a left heat sink 106 that extend in the longitudinal direction and move laterally therebetween are mounted to the support assembly. Each heat sink 104, 106 includes a C-shaped base 108 and a plurality of fins 110 extending radially from the base and toward the opposite heat sink. In addition, each heat sink 104, 106 and each fin 110 is elongated and therefore has a longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis of each heat sink and each fin is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 18 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). ). The lower edges of the bases 108 lie on the upper panel 84 of the channel 40. The front end of the base 108 of the right heat sink 104 is mounted in the upper right portion of the central portion 70 of the anterior deflector 44. As noted better in figure 4, the rear end of the base 108 of the heat sink 104 is mounted towards the flange towards the front 50 of the rear deflector 46. With reference to figure 6, the front end of the base 108 of the heat sink left 106 is mounted on the upper left portion of the central portion 70 of the anterior baffle 44. The front end of the base 108 of the left heat sink 106 is mounted on the upper left portion of the central portion 70 of the anterior baffle 44. The rear end of the base 108 of the left heat sink 106 is mounted on the upper portion of the central portion 54 of the rear baffle 42. The lower surface of the intermediate panel 36 (FIG. 3) is contiguous with the upper surfaces of the bases 108, the upper edge of the rear deflector 42, the upper edge of the anterior deflector 44, and the upper end of the rear deflector 46 (figures 4 and 5), which is in the form of a tab. Thus, a top passage 111 (see also figure 4) which is open close to the front and rear ends of the heat sinks 104, 106 is defined between the heat sinks, the top panel 84 of the channel 40 and the bottom surface of the heat sink. intermediate panel 36. The upper passage 111 is aligned with, and may be characterized in that it includes, the upper open area 58 defined by the rear baffle 42 and the upper opening 76 defined by the anterior baffle 44. As best seen in FIG. 4, the upper passage 111 and the lower passage 93 (FIG. 7) can communicate, at least to a limited degree, through the air openings 102 defined in the upper panel 84 of the channel 40. As best seen in Figure 4, a front chamber 112 is partially defined between the anterior deflector 44, front panel 14 and forward portions of right panel 20, left panel 22, lower panel 34 and intermediate panel 36 (figures 3 and 5). A right chamber 114 is at least partially defined between the right portion 72 of the anterior baffle 44, a portion of the lower panel 34, the base 108 of the right heat sink 104, the right panel 86 (figure 7) of the channel 40. , and a portion of the right panel 20. A left chamber 116 is at least partially defined between the left portion 56 of the rear baffle 42, the left portion 74 of the anterior baffle 44, a portion of the lower panel 34, the base 108 of the left heat sink 106, a portion of the left panel 88 (figure 7) of channel 40, and a portion of left panel 22. The right camera 114 and the left chamber 116 are not closed by the intermediate panel 36. A rear chamber 118 is at least partially defined between the rear deflector 42, the rear deflector 46, the rear panel 16, and the rear portions of the left panel 22 , the lower panel 34 and the intermediate panel 36. The ventilation assembly 38 includes a motor 120 extending to the corner 39. The motor 120 is mounted on vertically extending mounting brackets 122. Ventilation assembly 38 also includes an impeller 124 (Figure 3) which is loaded on an engine shaft 120 and rotated by the engine. The impeller 120 rotates within an opening defined by a cover 126 that is mounted on the left portion 56 of the rear baffle 42, the flange 52 of the rear baffle 46, the bottom panel 43 and the intermediate panel 36 (figures 3 and 5) . The ventilation assembly 38 defines a flow axis 128, which is also the axis on which the impeller 124 rotates and the cylindrical shaft of the motor 120. A main electrical path extends through a group of electrical components that are inside. of the housing 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and are electrically connected in a conventional manner between the power cable 30 (FIGS. 1-4) and the output terminals 32 (FIG. 1). The components in the electric main path operate conventionally to convert from a conventional type of electric power, such as domestic or industrial alternating current, to a current that is suitable for a piece of equipment that produces an electric arc, such as a machine. of arc welding or a plasma arc torch. That is, the domestic or industrial alternating current is supplied to the power supply 10 by the power cable 30, and the main group of electrical components operate electrically in a conventional manner to supply current to the terminals 32. Because the main group of Electrical components are conventional in the way they are electrically connected and operated, or do not belong to the present invention, the electrical aspects of said components are not discussed in detail and some of the associated electrical connections are not shown. As best seen in Figures 4 and 5, the main group of electrical components includes an input bridge 130 which receives the alternating current input to the power supply 10 by the power cable 30. The input bridge 130 is mounted on the base 108 of the right heat sink 104 and located in the right chamber 114. The heat generated by the input bridge 130 is conducted and dissipated by the right heat sink 104. The input bridge 130 includes a series of diodes and converts alternating current to direct current. In this way, the direct current is supplied to an inductor 132, which is best seen in Figure 3. The opposite ends of the inductor 132 are placed and filled in the receptacle opening 68 (Figure 7) the rear deflector 42 (Figure 7) and the receptacle opening 79 (figure 7) of the anterior deflector 44 (figure 7). Inductor 132 uniforms direct current. Therefore, direct current is supplied to an inverter that includes multiple electrical components that are best observed in Figure 5. The inverter converts the direct current to a high frequency alternating current. The inverter includes at least one, and preferably a pair of IGBT 134 (see also figure 4) which are mounted on the base 108 of the right heat sink 104 and are located in the right chamber 114. The heat generated by the IGBTs 134 is driven and dissipated by the right heat sink 104. The IGTB 134 may be parallel or in series, depending on the specific application of the power supply 10. The inverter also includes at least one, and preferably a pair of cylindrical capacitors 136. Each of the cylindrical capacitors 136 is positioned between a laterally displaced pair of circular receptacle openings 94 (FIG. 7). Therefore, each of the cylindrical capacitors 136 extends laterally between the right panel 86 (figure 7) and the left panel 88 (figure 7) of the channel 40 and through the lower passage 93 (figure 7). In Figure 4, the cylindrical capacitors 136 can be seen through the air openings 102 defined in the upper panel 84 of the channel 40. As best seen in Figure 5, the inverter also includes at least one, and preferably four rectangular capacitors 138. Each of the rectangular capacitors 138 is placed in each of the rectangular receptacles 96 (Figure 7) defined in the right panel 86 of the channel 40. For each of the rectangular capacitors 138, one side thereof is it is placed in front of the right chamber 114, while the opposite side extends a short distance in the lower passage 93 (figure 7). The inverter also includes at least one, and preferably two heat sinks 140. Each of the heat sinks 140 is positioned with respect to one of the rectangular receptacles 96 (Figure 7) defined in the right panel 86 of the channel 40. Each heat sink 140 includes one or two resistors facing the right chamber 114. and are mounted on a heat sink having a pair of fins extending a short distance in the lower passage 93. The sides of the rectangular capacitors 138 and the heat sinks 140 extend to the lower passage 93, as a whole. with the right panel 86 carrying said components, they can be characterized together as a mixed heat dissipation wall 141. The side of the mixed heat dissipation wall 141 facing the lower passage 93 is not shown, but the opposite side of the mixed heat dissipation wall is observed in figure 5. With reference to figures 4 and 5, the high frequency alternating current of the inverter is directed to a main inverter 142, which increases the magnitude alternating current. Therefore, the alternating current is supplied to a pair of diodes 144, which is best seen in Figures 3 and 4. The diodes 144 are mounted on the base 108 of the left heat sink 106 and are inside the left chamber 116. The heat generated by the diodes 144 is conducted and dissipated by the left heat sink 106. The diodes 144 are not electrically insulated from the left heat sink 106; thus, the left heat sink 106 is electrically charged. Also, with the exception of the diodes 144, the components that contact the left heat sink 106 are preferably constructed of an electrically insulated material. The diodes 144 convert the alternating current to direct current. Thus, the direct current is uniformed by an inductor 146, which is best seen in FIG. 3. The inductor 146 is mounted inside the anterior chamber 112. The direct current is supplied by the inductor 146 to the output terminals 32 (FIG. 1 ). The power supply 10 also includes another group of electrical components that operate in a conventional manner. This other group of electrical components includes a control transformer 148, which is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The control transformer 148 converts the alternating current received from the power cable 30 (FIGS. 1-4) to a current that is used to operate the ventilation assembly 38 (Figures 3 and 4) and the conventional control system of the power supply 10. With reference to Figures 3 and 5, the conventional power supply control system 10 includes circuit boards 150 , or the like, which are mounted on the upper surface of the intermediate panel 36. Each aforementioned right heat sink 104, left heat sink 106, input bridge 130, inductor 132, IGBT 134, cylindrical capacitors 136, rectangular capacitors 138, heat sinks 140, main transformer 142, diodes 144, inductor 146 and control transformer 148 can be characterized as a heat sink, because directly or indirectly They release heat to the flow path extending through the housing 12. In addition, each right heat sink 104, left heat sink 106, input bridge 130, IGBT 134, cylindrical capacitors 136, rectangular capacitors 138, heat sinks heat 140 and diodes 144 may be characterized as a primary heat sink because they are located upstream of the main transformer 142, inductor 146 and control transformer 148, which may be characterized as secondary heat sinks. Primarily reference will be made to Figure 4 in the remainder of this description. The flow path includes an upstream section extending from the impeller 124 and along the axis of the flow 128 (ie, the upstream section of the flow path defines the flow axis 128). The upstream section of the flow path extends to reach the upstream portion of the right heat sink 104 and the upstream portion of the mixed heat dissipation wall 141 (Figure 5). The upstream portion of the right heat sink 104 at least partially defines the entrance to the upper passage 111, and the upstream portion of the mixed heat dissipation wall 141 at least partially defines the entrance to the lower passage 93 (Figure 7). The flow path is directed or narrowed in the lower and upper passages 93, 111 by the rear deflectors 42, 46. The upper passage 111 and the lower passage 93 (figure 7) are generally separated, so that the flow path bifurcate and include upstream and downstream sections separated from the flow path that are downstream of the upstream section of the flow path. The upper downstream section of the flow path extends at least a portion downstream of the upper passage 111 and is therefore adjacent to the downstream portions of the heat sinks 104, 106. The lower section downstream of the flow path extends at least to a downstream portion of the lower passage 93 and is therefore adjacent to the downstream portion of the mixed heat dissipation wall 141. The upper and lower downstream sections of the path of Each flow generally extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 18. The flow axis 128 of the upstream section of the flow path intersects and extends in a common plane with the longitudinal axis 18, so that an acute angle is defined between the flow axis 128 of the upstream section of the flow path and longitudinal axis 18. Said acute angle is preferably on the approximate scale 20 to about 70 degrees, and most preferably about 45 degrees. The surfaces of the right heat sink 104 that are in a convective heat transfer relationship with the portion of the flow path extending through the upper passage 111 extend in the longitudinal direction, so that an acute angle A is define between the flow axis 128 of the upstream section of the flow path and the right heat sink 104. The angle A is preferably in the range of about 20 to about 70 degrees, and particularly about 45 degrees.

As a result of this angular relationship and the longitudinal extension nature of the right heat sink 104, air flowing from the upstream section of the flow path strikes the right heat sink at an angle that is approximately equal to the angle A (to define what is characterized as an oblique incidence air flow) and deflected by the right heat sink towards and along the upper downstream section of the flow path, which has a flow axis extending generally in the longitudinal direction. The combination of the oblique incidence air flow in the upstream portion of the right heat sink 104 and the parallel flow closest to the downstream portion of the right heat sink provides more conduction heat transfer between the right heat sink 104. and the air flow that passes in comparison with the air flow that extends only in parallel to the right heat sink 104. For example, the oblique incidence air flow very effectively penetrates the base or roots of the fins 110 ( 6) of the right heat sink 104, which is where the fins originate from their respective base 108. The oblique incidence air flow also causes turbulence in the vicinity of the right heat sink 104 which mixes the air flow of cooling so that it tends to reduce the formation of a limiting layer of air insulation close to the right heat sink, so that the transference The heat of convection from the right heat sink is increased. Said turbulence or associated turbulence which results from the oblique incidence air flow is also believed to increase the convective heat transfer of the left heat sink 106. The oblique incidence air flow also provides advantages over an incidence air flow. complete, which can be characterized as air flowing perpendicularly to the heat sink. For example, it is common for a complete incident air flow to define a single flow axis upstream of the heat sink that receives the full incidence air flow, but current below that heat sink is common for the air flow it is dispersed and therefore difficult to collect for the purpose of directing a substantial portion of air flow to a downstream component for cooling purposes. Furthermore, it is believed that the pressure drop associated with an oblique incidence air flow is less than the pressure drop associated with a corresponding full incidence air flow. The advantages achieved by the present invention, with respect to the oblique incidence air flow in relation to the heat sinks 104, 106 are increased because the ends upstream of the heat sinks are staggered. That is, the upstream end of the left heat sink 106 moves away from the back panel 16 beyond what the downstream end of the right heat sink 104 moves away from the back panel, so that the upstream ends of the heat sinks heat define a stepped arrangement. This stepped arrangement allows the air to flow from the upstream section of the flow path to impinge on a substantial length of the right heat sink 104, where said incidence occurs at an approximate angle equal to the angle A. This stepped arrangement also facilitates at least partially the placement of the ventilation assembly 38 at the corner 39, which provides a small and beneficial arrangement for generating air flow. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mixed heat dissipation wall 141 (FIG. 5) generally extends in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, an acute angle, which corresponds to the angle A and is preferably in the range of about 20 to about 70 degrees and particularly to 45 degrees., is defined between the flow axis 128 of the upstream section of the flow path and the mixed heat dissipation wall 141. As a result, air flowing from the upstream section of the flow path impinges on the wall mixed heat dissipation 141 at an angle that is approximately equal to angle A (to define what could be characterized as an oblique incidence air flow) and is diverted by the mixed heat dissipation wall towards and along the section bottom downstream of the flow path, having a flow axis that extends generally in the longitudinal direction. The advantages of the oblique incidence airflow with respect to the mixed heat dissipation wall 141 generally correspond to the above-discussed advantages of the oblique incidence airflow with respect to the heat sinks 104, 106. Although the incidence flow oblique may occur to a lesser degree in the lower passage 93 (FIG. 7) than in the upper passage 111 because the lower passage includes more obstacles and is more restricted to flow than the upper passage, the lower passage may be modified, such as elongating the lower opening 62 (figure 7) of the rear deflector 42, to increase the oblique incidence flow therein. The advantages achieved by the present invention with respect to the oblique incidence air flow in the mixed heat dissipation wall 141 (figure 5) are increased by the air opening 98 (figure 7) defined in the left panel 88 (figure 7) of the channel 40. As seen partially in figure 3, the air opening 98 increases the amount of air that it can flow in the lower passage 93 (FIG. 7) so as to provide oblique incidence flow with respect to the mixed heat dissipation wall 141. The semi-incident air flow within the upper passage 111 and the lower passage 93 (FIG. 7) operates in conjunction with the upper and lower longitudinally extending passages so that the upper and lower downstream sections of the flow path, extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 18, extend from the upper and lower passages to the upper and lower passages. anterior chamber 112. The upper and lower downstream sections of the flow path are deflected by the anterior baffle 44 and extend into the anterior chamber 112 to cool the transformer 142, inductor 146 (FIG. 3) and control transformer 148. The upper and lower downstream sections of the flow path extend toward the transformer 142, inductor 146 and control transformer 148 at least partially due to the arrangement of the anterior deflector 44 and the portions of the lower panel 34, intermediate panel 36 (figure 3 and 5), right panel 20 and left panel 22 which are close to the previous deflector. The upper passage 111 is less restrictive to flow than the lower passage 93 (FIG. 7); therefore, there is more flow through the upper passage than in the lower passage. In some circumstances it is desirable to vary the flow ratio between the upper passage 111 and the lower passage 93, in which case the lower passage can be made less restrictive, for example by lengthening the lower opening 78 (FIG. 7) defined in the anterior deflector 44 and the lower opening 62 (FIG. 7) defined in the rear deflector 42. Similarly, the lower downstream section of the flow path can be directed toward a heat sink that requires additional cooling by replenishing the lower opening 62. As the flow path approaches the outlet openings 28 (FIGS. 1 and 2), the upper and lower downstream sections of the flow path travel to a downstream section of the flow path that includes three branches, one extending to the other. through the outlet openings 28 towards the front panel 14, another extends towards the exit openings 28 through the right panel 20 , and another extends to the outlet openings 28 through the left panel 22. The outlet openings 28 are positioned so that the downstream portions furthest from the flow path are optimally positioned with respect to the transformer 142, inductor 146 and control transformer 148.

The majority of the flow through the power supply 10 is from the rear chamber 118 to the anterior chamber 112 through the upper passage 111 and the lower passage 93 (FIG. 7). However, a certain amount of flow through the energy supply 10 can reach the anterior chamber 112 by the left lateral chamber 116. For example, a limited amount of air flows directly from the posterior chamber 118 to the left chamber 116 through a small chamber. opening 152 (Figure 6) defined between the rear deflector 42 and the channel 40. That flow in the left chamber 116 at least partially cools the heat sinks within the left chamber. A limited amount of air can flow from the left chamber 116 towards the anterior chamber 112 through the side openings 82 (Figure 7) defined in the anterior baffle 44. In addition, a recirculation flow path that extends through a passage that is at least partially defined between the rear deflector 46 and the portions of the rear panel 16 and the right panel 20, extends between the right chamber 114 and the suction side of the ventilation assembly 38. As a result, air can leave the anterior chamber 112 to the right chamber 114 through side openings 80 (FIG. 7), and air travels to through the path of the recirculation flow from the right chamber to the suction side of the ventilation assembly 38. Because the right chamber 114 can communicate with the left chamber 116 by a path extending over the top of the intermediate panel 36 (Figures 3 and 5), air can flow over the upper part of the intermediate panel from the left chamber to the right chamber. As a result, the air in the left chamber 116 can flow over the intermediate panel 36 and into the right chamber 114 and the recirculation flow path, instead of flowing into the anterior chamber 112 through lateral openings 82 (Figure 7). The electrical wiring (not shown) extends through the side openings 80, 82, and if the wiring substantially obstructs the side openings there will be very little, if any, of air flow through the side openings. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains offering the benefit of the knowledge presented in the foregoing descriptions and associated drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described and that modifications and other embodiments may be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. In addition, the longitudinal and lateral directions were defined with respect to the longitudinal axis 18 (figures 1 and 2) to clarify the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, and not for purposes of limiting.

Claims (10)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A power supply apparatus for supplying electrical power to a piece of equipment that produces an electric arc, the power supply apparatus comprises: a housing having at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; an air moving device for moving cooling air from the air inlet to the air outlet along the flow path extending through the housing; and a heat sink extending in the longitudinal direction, positioned along the flow path, and comprising an upstream portion and a downstream portion, wherein the heat sink is oriented along the path of flow so that an upstream section of the flow path is proximate the portion upstream of the heat sink, said flow path has a flow axis that forms an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the air that flows from the upstream section of the inflow path and is deflected by the heat sink, and thus creates a downstream section of the flow path that is proximate to the downstream portion of the heat sink and extends generally in longitudinal direction.

2. An energy supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the heat sink is a heat sink comprising a plurality of fins extending in the longitudinal direction.

3. An energy supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the acute angle is on a scale of about 20 to about 70 degrees.

4. An energy supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the air movement device comprises a fan having a ventilation flow axis; and the housing comprises: a first panel having peripheral edges, wherein the longitudinal direction is approximately perpendicular to the first panel, and a plurality of panels, each extending adjacently to the respective peripheral edge of the first panel and substantially perpendicular to the first panel in longitudinal direction so that the first panel and the other panels cooperate at least partially to define a chamber in which the fan is positioned so that an acute angle between the ventilation flow axis and the longitudinal direction is defined.

5. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the heat sink is a primary heat sink, the downstream section of the flow path extends downstream from the primary heat sink and A secondary heat sink is placed in a section downstream of the flow path.

6. An energy supply apparatus according to claim 5, further characterized in that it comprises a group of electrical components, wherein the secondary heat sink comprising at least one of the electrical components that generate heat, and the dissipator Primary heat comprises a heat sink that is connected to at least one of the electrical components that generate heat.

7. A power supply apparatus according to claim 6, further characterized in that the group of electrical components operates to convert an alternating current to a direct current that is suitable for a piece of equipment that produces an electric arc.

8. An energy supply apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the heat sink comprises a first heat sink; and the power supply apparatus further comprises a second heat sink that extends generally in the longitudinal direction and moves laterally from the heat sink first so that a passage between the first heat sink and the second heat sink is at least partially defined. heat dissipator, wherein the passage extends generally in the longitudinal direction and at least a portion of the section downstream of the flow path extends through the passage.

9. An energy supply apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that the housing comprises an upstream end and a downstream end, and the longitudinal direction extends from the upstream end of the housing to the downstream end of the housing. accommodation; the first heat sink comprises one end upstream and one end downstream; and the second heat sink comprises an upstream end and a downstream end, and the upstream end of the second heat sink moves from the upstream end of the housing further than the upstream end of the first heat sink that is moves from the upstream end of the housing, so that the ends upstream of the first and second heat sink define a disengaged arrangement.

10. An energy supply apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that it comprises an upstream baffle placed upstream from and close to the first and second heat sink to narrow a portion of the flow path and direct at less part of the air flowing in the flow path to the first and second heat sinks; and a downstream baffle placed downstream and next to the first and second heat sink to at least partially diffuse a portion of the flow path and direct at least part of the air flowing in the flow path to the second heat sink. heat, where each of the heat sinks is mounted between the upstream baffle and the downstream baffle.