Patents by Inventor Alan A. Manthe
Alan A. Manthe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240009749Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a welding-type system including circuitry configured to receive direct current (DC) power directly from a distributed DC bus, to generate a current using the received DC power, and to isolate the welding-type system from the distributed DC bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Thomas A. Bunker, Alan A. Manthe, Anthony V. Salsich, Michael David Madsen, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
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Patent number: 11766733Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a welding-type system including circuitry configured to receive direct current (DC) power directly from a distributed DC bus, to generate a current using the received DC power, and to isolate the welding-type system from the distributed DC bus.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Bunker, Alan A. Manthe, Anthony V. Salsich, Michael David Madsen, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
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Patent number: 11607743Abstract: Power electronics, including welding-type power supplies may have a switched mode power supply configurable in two or more topologies. Detection circuitry of the power electronics may determine the configured topology of the switched mode power supply and the input voltage supplied to the power electronics. The detection circuitry and/or control circuitry of the power electronics may verify that the configured topology of the switched mode power supply corresponds to the supplied input voltage, and may indicate an error if the configured topology does not correspond to the supplied input voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Alan A. Manthe
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Publication number: 20220193808Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a welding-type system including circuitry configured to receive direct current (DC) power directly from a distributed DC bus, to generate a current using the received DC power, and to isolate the welding-type system from the distributed DC bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Thomas A. Bunker, Alan A. Manthe, Anthony V. Salsich, Michael David Madsen, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
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Publication number: 20220134463Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for support of low-power operation in training modes in welding machines.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2021Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Chris J. Roehl, Gregg Prochnow, Alan Manthe, Maxwell Bode Brock, Jeremy John Erdmann, Nicholas James Dessart, Scott Ryan Rozmarynowski
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Patent number: 11179794Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a welding-type system including circuitry configured to receive direct current (DC) power directly from a distributed DC bus, to generate a current using the received DC power, and to isolate the welding-type system from the distributed DC bus.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works IncInventors: Thomas A. Bunker, Alan A. Manthe, Anthony V. Salsich, Michael David Madsen, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
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Patent number: 11161194Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply, a wire feeder, and a controller. The wire feed speed is reduced when the input current exceeds a value to prevent tripping circuit breakers on the power line the welder is connected to. The speed reduction is based on an average current draw exceeding a threshold. The output voltage is reduced if the input current exceeds a second threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Craig S. Knoener, Ronald D. Woodward, Alan A. Manthe, Jason A. Dunahoo
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Publication number: 20210187649Abstract: Power electronics, including welding-type power supplies may have a switched mode power supply configurable in two or more topologies. Detection circuitry of the power electronics may determine the configured topology of the switched mode power supply and the input voltage supplied to the power electronics. The detection circuitry and/or control circuitry of the power electronics may verify that the configured topology of the switched mode power supply corresponds to the supplied input voltage, and may indicate an error if the configured topology does not correspond to the supplied input voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventor: Alan A. Manthe
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Patent number: 10766088Abstract: A power supply for welding, cutting and similar operations includes a dual two-switch forward converter. The converter has two inverter circuits coupled in parallel but controlled to provide output power in an interleaved fashion. To avoid “walking” of the circuits (which could result in different duty cycles and imbalance of the load sharing), control signals are determined and applied to a first of the inverter circuits, and “on” times of the first circuit is monitored, such as by augmenting a counter to determine the number of clock cycles the first circuit is “on”. The same duration is then used for commanding output from the second inverter circuit. The duty cycles of both circuits is thus ensured to be the same regardless of changes in the total output power.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool WorksInventors: Alan A. Manthe, Jason Alan Dunahoo, Craig Steven Knoener, Mary Divya Poulose
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Publication number: 20190201996Abstract: A power supply for welding, cutting and similar operations includes a dual two-switch forward converter. The converter has two inverter circuits coupled in parallel but controlled to provide output power in an interleaved fashion. To avoid “walking” of the circuits (which could result in different duty cycles and imbalance of the load sharing), control signals are determined and applied to a first of the inverter circuits, and “on” times of the first circuit is monitored, such as by augmenting a counter to determine the number of clock cycles the first circuit is “on”. The same duration is then used for commanding output from the second inverter circuit. The duty cycles of both circuits is thus ensured to be the same regardless of changes in the total output power.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Alan A. Manthe, Jason Alan Dunahoo, Craig Steven Knoener, Mary Divya Poulose
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Patent number: 10307855Abstract: A welding-type system with a programmed controller and alert devices for alerting a user as to the impending thermal shutdown of the welding-type system.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Milad Pashapour Nikou, Craig Steven Knoener, Daniel James Helein, Alan Manthe
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Patent number: 10226832Abstract: A power supply for welding, cutting and similar operations includes a dual two-switch forward converter. The converter has two inverter circuits coupled in parallel but controlled to provide output power in an interleaved fashion. To avoid “walking” of the circuits (which could result in different duty cycles and imbalance of the load sharing), control signals are determined and applied to a first of the inverter circuits, and “on” times of the first circuit is monitored, such as by augmenting a counter to determine the number of clock cycles the first circuit is “on”. The same duration is then used for commanding output from the second inverter circuit. The duty cycles of both circuits is thus ensured to be the same regardless of changes in the total output power.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Alan A. Manthe, Jason Alan Dunahoo, Craig Steven Knoener, Mary Divya Poulose
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Patent number: 9878395Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring a plasma arc from between an electrode and a tip to between an electrode and a workpiece and back as dictated by the conditions at the cutting arc are provided. The present disclosure allows for arc transfer detection without use of a current sensor at the workpiece or knowledge of a precise pilot circuit limit value through a novel plasma arc control circuit. In one embodiment, the plasma arc control circuit provides a programmable current source and a current sink configured to limit current in a pilot arc control circuit. The pilot arc circuit may be configured to signal its limiting status to a controller, which may switch the pilot arc control circuit in or out of the current path. Certain embodiments may include a pulse width modulation control in the pilot arc control circuit for controlling current flow through the pilot arc circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Alan A. Manthe
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Publication number: 20170282275Abstract: A welding-type system with a programmed controller and alert devices for alerting a user as to the impending thermal shutdown of the welding-type system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Milad Pashapour Nikou, Craig Steven Knoener, Daniel James Helein, Alan Manthe
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Publication number: 20170129034Abstract: A power supply for welding, cutting and similar operations includes a dual two-switch forward converter. The converter has two inverter circuits coupled in parallel but controlled to provide output power in an interleaved fashion. To avoid “walking” of the circuits (which could result in different duty cycles and imbalance of the load sharing), control signals are determined and applied to a first of the inverter circuits, and “on” times of the first circuit is monitored, such as by augmenting a counter to determine the number of clock cycles the first circuit is “on”. The same duration is then used for commanding output from the second inverter circuit. The duty cycles of both circuits is thus ensured to be the same regardless of changes in the total output power.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Alan A. Manthe, Jason Alan Dunahoo, Craig Steven Knoener, Mary Divya Poulose
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Patent number: 9584024Abstract: A power supply for welding, cutting and similar operations includes a dual two-switch forward converter. The converter has two inverter circuits coupled in parallel but controlled to provide output power in an interleaved fashion. To avoid “walking” of the circuits (which could result in different duty cycles and imbalance of the load sharing), control signals are determined and applied to a first of the inverter circuits, and “on” times of the first circuit is monitored, such as by augmenting a counter to determine the number of clock cycles the first circuit is “on”. The same duration is then used for commanding output from the second inverter circuit. The duty cycles of both circuits is thus ensured to be the same regardless of changes in the total output power.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Alan A. Manthe, Jason Alan Dunahoo, Craig Steven Knoener, Mary Divya Poulose
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Patent number: 9539661Abstract: A power supply for welding, cutting and similar operations includes one or more power converters that are controlled by PWM signals applied by control circuitry. The signals may be applied for a period greater than 50% duty cycle. The duty cycle may be determined by monitoring power or current draw by a welding or cutting operation load. Where more than one converters is used, each may have the same or different duty cycles, and each may be extended beyond a 50% maximum.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Alan A. Manthe
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Publication number: 20160361777Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply, a wire feeder, and a controller. The wire feed speed is reduced when the input current exceeds a value to prevent tripping circuit breakers on the power line the welder is connected to. The speed reduction is based on an average current draw exceeding a threshold. The output voltage is reduced if the input current exceeds a second threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Craig S. Knoener, Ronald D. Woodward, Alan A. Manthe, Jason A. Dunahoo
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Patent number: 9132502Abstract: A plasma cutting or welding system includes a power input. The power input is configured to be coupled to a plurality of multipronged input plugs. Each of the multipronged input plugs corresponds to an input voltage. The power supply also includes a user input device for selecting an operating current. The user input device is subdivided into a plurality of current ranges. Each of the current ranges includes an iconic representation of at least one multipronged input plug.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Alan A. Manthe, David Paul Marcusen, Steven D. Hidden, Ashok Darisipudi, Brian Mitchell Brown, Jon M. Huhn
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Patent number: 9108263Abstract: A high frequency power source configured to provide a variable voltage output is described such as for use in welding systems. The high frequency power source charges a capacitive storage device. A transformer having a primary winding coupled to the output of the high frequency power source and establishing a resonant frequency signal with the capacitive storage device, and a secondary winding coupled to the welding power supply, superimposes the resonant frequency signals onto the welding power signal of the welding power supply during periods of the resonant rings. By varying the voltage output from the high frequency power source, the high frequency energy delivered to the welding torch can be optimized for a variety of welding applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Alan A. Manthe, Stephen P. Ferkel, Glenn A. Koosmann