Patents Assigned to Illinois Tool Work Inc
  • Patent number: 11883910
    Abstract: A retrofit module includes at least one of a current sensing component that has a first circuit or a voltage sensing component that has a second circuit. The current sensing component and the voltage sensing component may be disposed in a torch head of a welding or plasma cutting torch. The current sensing component is configured to measure a welding or plasma cutting current of the torch head, and the voltage sensing component is configured to measure a welding or plasma cutting voltage of the torch head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Walker
  • Patent number: 11885772
    Abstract: Disclosed example material testing systems include: a material testing apparatus configured to receive an electrical supply, wherein the material testing apparatus comprises: guide means; sample holding means configured for holding a sample; force means configured for applying force to the sample; and a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; a three phase switched-mode power supply unit arranged to provide the electrical supply to the material testing apparatus; and one or more blocking means connected with a power output of the three phase switched-mode power supply unit, wherein the blocking means is arranged to prevent an electrical current at the power output of the three phase switched-mode power supply unit from flowing in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Kirby
  • Patent number: 11883911
    Abstract: Welding power supplies, wire feeders, and systems to measure a weld circuit resistance via communications over the weld circuit are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes: a power conversion circuitry configured to: convert input power to output a signal via a weld circuit; and convert the input power to output welding-type power via the weld circuit; a voltage monitor configured to measure a power supply output voltage of the signal; communications circuitry configured to receive, via the weld circuit, a communication of a second voltage measurement; and control circuitry configured to: determine a resistance and/or and inductance of a portion of the weld circuit based on the power supply output voltage measurement, the second voltage measurement, and a weld circuit current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Adam E. Anders
  • Patent number: 11885420
    Abstract: A high purity control valve for use in high conductance, proportional control applications includes a moveable control plate having a flow-through passage to enhance fluid sweep of the internal valve volume. Nested orifice ridges are used to achieve high conductance with small actuator movement. Enhanced leak tightness can be provided by incorporating into the control plate materials softer than the material comprising the orifice ridge. The control plate comprises a control plate body having a counterbore in fluid communication with a conduit, radial fluid flow paths and axial fluid flow paths. A flat side of the control plate includes a continuous uninterrupted flat portion to shut-off fluid flow in the valve. The radial fluid flow paths provide fluid communication from the counterbore to a circumferential perimeter of the control plate and the axial fluid flow paths provide fluid communication with the fluid conduit through an intermediate valve chamber portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kim Ngoc Vu
  • Patent number: 11882906
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes an insert and a base. The insert has a first plurality of teeth. The base defines a cavity to receive the insert and includes a second plurality of teeth to engage with the first plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Lee
  • Patent number: 11883913
    Abstract: Some examples of the present disclosure relate to a cover cap for a welding torch. The cover cap is attached to a housing of the welding torch and rotatable between a closed position, where the cover cap covers an access port of the welding torch, and an open position, where the cover cap does not cover the access port. The welding torch may have welding components within the handle that may be accessed through the access port when the cover cap is in the open position. A cap holder may be used to hold the cover cap in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
    Inventor: Craig Matthew Bondy
  • Patent number: 11885773
    Abstract: An example flexible substrate testing system includes: a first substrate support structure configured to hold stationary a first portion of a flexible substrate under test; a second substrate support structure configured to hold a second portion of the flexible substrate; an actuator configured to move the second substrate support structure to fold the flexible substrate and to unfold the flexible substrate; and a load cell configured to measure a load on the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Levesque, Alexander T. Carbone, Christopher Joyce
  • Patent number: 11883915
    Abstract: A rotating power connection for connecting an electrical supply power cable to an electric welding torch body is provided. In the rotating power connection, the mechanical load is carried by steel bearings, and the electric load is carried by multi-contact, spring loaded fins made out of highly conductive materials or coatings. In some examples, a rotating power connector is affixed to a torch before the power connection to a wire feeder. The rotating power connector advantageously allows for rotation of the welding torch relative to the unicable while providing continual electrical connection at the high current levels employed in welding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Tiejun Ma, Romeo Cossette, Craig Matthew Bondy
  • Patent number: 11881362
    Abstract: A food equipment device, such as a warewasher, includes a powered component, the powered component being one of a heating element or a pump or a fan, and a power line path for delivering power to the powered component. A contactor is provided for controlling power delivery to the powered component, the contactor including main power contacts connected in the power line path and auxiliary contacts that operate the same as, or opposite to, the main power contacts. A monitoring system is operatively connected to the auxiliary contacts to monitor an open or closed state of the auxiliary contacts and includes a voltage source operatively connected to one of the auxiliary contacts and an electrical sensor for detecting one of (i) a voltage condition of the other auxiliary contact or (ii) a current flow condition between the auxiliary contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Leszek P. Byczkowski, Alexander R. Anim-Mensah
  • Patent number: 11879794
    Abstract: Described is a compression apparatus for a testing system having a load cell. The disclosed compression apparatus ensures proper seating relative to the load cell to yield accurate compression friction (CF) measurements. The disclosed compression apparatus includes a compression rod and at least one mechanical fastener. The compression rod has a first portion at a distal end and a second portion that defines a threaded bore at a proximal end. The first portion is configured to contact a specimen and the second portion is configured to couple to the load cell. The mechanical fastener is configured to mate with the threaded bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Riddick, Daniel Chouinard, Brian Salem, Christopher Hines
  • Patent number: 11878376
    Abstract: Welding wire preheating systems and methods are disclosed. An example welding method includes: receiving a signal indicative of initiation of welding process; prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, controlling voltage or current applied to a welding electrode to preheat the electrode to a temperature above an ambient temperature but below a melting point of the welding electrode; monitoring feedback voltage to determine a termination of preheating; and terminating preheating prior to initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 11879871
    Abstract: Safety systems requiring intentional function activation and material testing systems including safety systems requiring intentional function activation are disclosed. An example material testing system includes: an actuator configured to control an operator-accessible component of the material testing system; an operator interface comprising a plurality of inputs; and one or more processors configured to: control the actuator based on at least one of a material testing process or an input from the operator interface; and require two or more inputs to be received within a predetermined threshold time to permit at least one operation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Elizabeth Pope, Elena Rose Mangano, Andrew DeWolfe
  • Patent number: 11878903
    Abstract: A tap assembly for dispensing fluid from a flexible container includes a gland for connecting with the container, the gland having an inlet and an outlet. An actuator is in fluid communication with the outlet of the gland, the actuator including a lever, a removable tamper evident tab and a cap, wherein when the tamper evident tab is in position, the actuator is inoperable and the lever and the cap are fixedly joined and wherein, upon removal of the tamper evident tab, the lever is moveable with respect to the cap to dispense fluid from the tap assembly. A connector is latchable with an outlet of the actuator, the connector including an arm to fixedly engage with the lever in a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Yeong-Heng Koo
  • Patent number: 11878626
    Abstract: An illumination module (1) for highlighting a region of a vehicle component, such as a charging or tank recess (20) or a handle assembly, includes a light source support (2) having at least one light source (3) and a housing (4), in which the light source support with the at least one light source is received. The housing includes a light outlet region (5), via which light can be decoupled from the housing (4). The illumination module (1) further includes a light diffuser (6) optically coupled to the light outlet region of the housing, which diffuser includes a first light outlet region (7), via which light can be decoupled for direct illumination or highlighting of the region of the vehicle component and which includes a second light outlet region (8), which is spatially separated from the first light outlet region (7) via which signal light can be decoupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Roland Och, Joachim Oberst, Andreas Rudolf, Matthias Hegwein, Matthias Gans
  • Patent number: 11878379
    Abstract: Apparatus for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular a body part, includes a base body, wherein the base body includes an actuating element via which the apparatus can be subjected to a force acting in the assembly direction in order to transfer the apparatus from a pre-assembly position into a final assembly position, wherein the assembly direction extends orthogonally to a surface of a carrier component, and wherein the actuating element comprises at least one catching element, which, in the pre-assembly position, engages with a correspondingly formed pre-assembly catching element of the base body and, in the final assembly position, engages with an assembly catching element of the base body, wherein a connection of the catching element to the assembly catching element verifies that the final assembly position is reached, such that the actuating element forms a visual assembly verification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Limpert, Oscar Medina
  • Patent number: 11878625
    Abstract: A grommet that comprises a main body, a cavity, an outer wall, a pair of windows, a pair of support legs and a neck ring. The main body extends along an axis of the grommet. The cavity is recessed downward from an upper surface of the main body along the axis. A first channel is formed between a first outer wall portion and a first side face of the main body, and a second channel is formed between a second outer wall portion and a second side face of the main body. The pair of windows are respectively provided in the first outer wall portion and the second outer wall portion and are respectively in communication with the first channel and the second channel. The pair of support legs are respectively connected to lower edges of the pair of windows through bottoms thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Wenxu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20240017277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (1) for applying fluids (20), in particular thermoplastic materials, to a substrate (21), wherein the nozzle arrangement (1) comprises a base body (14), which can be connected, preferably exchangeably, to a mounting region of a distributor (30), and a front lateral surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas Pahl
  • Publication number: 20240017865
    Abstract: A machine for packaging multiple containers wherein a flexible carrier stock is fed across a jaw drum. A plurality of containers are moved through the machine whereby the carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers so that flexible carrier stock engages with two or more of the containers to form a package. The jaw drum and other operative components of the machine are preferably vertically adjustable to accommodate a range of container sizes and carrier configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: James A. ROUZER, Michael BURNS, Kenneth J. CHESS, Jacob L. MILLER, Phillip E. LULLO
  • Publication number: 20240019288
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor assembly for detecting a fluid level within a removable tank of a domestic appliance along an axis, mountable within the domestic appliance, including at least one fluid level electrode including a resiliently deformable contact member adapted to contactingly engage with the removable tank received in the domestic appliance and convey at least one electrical field generated by the capacitive sensor into the removable tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Marco SCLIP, Luca Bruno, Nicola Maino
  • Patent number: 11873929
    Abstract: A routing clip assembly is configured to secure a tube to a structure. The assembly includes a clip having a main body, and at least one tube-retaining section is defined on a lateral side of the main body. The tube retaining section includes a channel adapted for receipt of the tube. The channel defines a channel axis and is configured to accommodate a variety of tube diameters. The channel includes at least two pairs of fingers, wherein each finger of a given pair connects to the body at a respective hinge on a side of the channel opposite the other finger of the pair. Further, each of the fingers has a distal end that extends generally toward the channel axis. The at least two pairs of fingers are configured to flex between a closed position and an open position to permit insertion of the tube into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Hann