Patents by Inventor Alan Edward Stein
Alan Edward Stein 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: 20240149369Abstract: An example welding system includes: a visual acquisition system comprising an imaging device and configured to acquire a visual representation of a weld part and to convert the visual representation into data representative of weld part features; and a part recognition component comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive the digital data; identify one or more features of the weld part in response to receipt of the digital signal; compare the digital signal to stored data of a plurality of weld parts stored in a weld part database to match one or more identified features to a known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; identify weld settings stored in a weld parameter database associated with the matching known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; and send the weld settings to a welding power supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Alan Edward Stein, Stephen Paul Ferkel
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Patent number: 11931836Abstract: An example welding system includes: a visual acquisition system comprising an imaging device and configured to acquire a visual representation of a weld part and to convert the visual representation into data representative of weld part features; and a part recognition component comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive the digital data; identify one or more features of the weld part in response to receipt of the digital signal; compare the digital signal to stored data of a plurality of weld parts stored in a weld part database to match one or more identified features to a known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; identify weld settings stored in a weld parameter database associated with the matching known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; and send the weld settings to a welding power supply.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Alan Edward Stein, Stephen Paul Ferkel
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Publication number: 20210129257Abstract: An example welding system includes: a visual acquisition system comprising an imaging device and configured to acquire a visual representation of a weld part and to convert the visual representation into data representative of weld part features; and a part recognition component comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive the digital data; identify one or more features of the weld part in response to receipt of the digital signal; compare the digital signal to stored data of a plurality of weld parts stored in a weld part database to match one or more identified features to a known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; identify weld settings stored in a weld parameter database associated with the matching known weld part of the plurality of weld parts stored in the weld part database; and send the weld settings to a welding power supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Alan Edward Stein, Stephen Paul Ferkel
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Patent number: 10888947Abstract: Various embodiments of welding systems that enable determination of suitable weld settings for a weld part are provided. In one embodiment, a welding system includes a weld part having at least one weld joint to be welded. The welding system also includes a visual acquisition system including an imaging device and being adapted to acquire a visual representation of the weld part and to convert the visual representation into a digital signal representative of the weld part features. The welding system further includes a part recognition system having processing circuitry and memory. The processing circuitry is adapted to receive the digital signal and to compare the digital signal to a database stored in the memory to identify the weld part, weld settings appropriate for welding the weld part, or both.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Alan Edward Stein, Stephen Paul Ferkel
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Publication number: 20200269339Abstract: A welding system includes a welding power source having a user interface disposed thereon and a weld controller disposed therein and being adapted to generate a welding power output for use in a welding operation. The welding system also includes a personal computer having control circuitry disposed therein and being removably interfaced with the welding power source via a docking mechanism. When the personal computer is docked within the docking mechanism, the personal computer is enabled for receiving operator input, and the control circuitry communicates with the weld controller to coordinate control of a welding operation in accordance with the operator input.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Alan Edward Stein, John Alan Luck
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Patent number: 10682720Abstract: A welding system includes a welding power source having a user interface disposed thereon and a weld controller disposed therein and being adapted to generate a welding power output for use in a welding operation. The welding system also includes a personal computer having control circuitry disposed therein and being removably interfaced with the welding power source via a docking mechanism. When the personal computer is docked within the docking mechanism, the personal computer is enabled for receiving operator input, and the control circuitry communicates with the weld controller to coordinate control of a welding operation in accordance with the operator input.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Alan Edward Stein, John Alan Luck
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Publication number: 20170151622Abstract: An adapter assembly includes a coupling portion that couples to a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) wire drive assembly and receives electrical current flow from the GMAW wire drive assembly. Additionally, the adapter assembly includes a receiving portion that couples with a connector of a welding cable of a non-GMAW torch to provide the electrical current flow to the non-GMAW torch from the GMAW wire drive assembly. Further, the adapter assembly includes an insulating component that affixes around the receiving portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: June 1, 2017Inventors: Nicholas James Dessart, Brian Randall Bellile, Alan Edward Stein
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Publication number: 20160016249Abstract: A welding system may include a welding power source that provides power for both a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process and a gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. Further, the welding system may include a wire feeder coupled to the welding power source for providing wire, gas flow, and electrical current flow for the GMAW process. Additionally, the welding system may include an adapter that couples to the wire feeder to provide the electrical current flow and the gas flow for the GTAW process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Brian Randall Bellile, Alan Edward Stein
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Publication number: 20160016266Abstract: A welding system may include a wire feeder configured to receive power from a welding power supply. The wire feeder may also be configured to provide wire, gas flow, and electrical current flow for a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process. Further, the welding system may include an adapter that couples to the wire feeder to provide the gas flow for an alternative welding process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Brian Randall Bellile, Alan Edward Stein
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Publication number: 20140069900Abstract: A welding system includes a welding power source having a user interface disposed thereon and a weld controller disposed therein and being adapted to generate a welding power output for use in a welding operation. The welding system also includes a personal computer having control circuitry disposed therein and being removably interfaced with the welding power source via a docking mechanism. When the personal computer is docked within the docking mechanism, the personal computer is enabled for receiving operator input, and the control circuitry communicates with the weld controller to coordinate control of a welding operation in accordance with the operator input.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: IIIinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Alan Edward Stein, John Alan Luck
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Publication number: 20120325792Abstract: Various embodiments of welding systems that enable determination of suitable weld settings for a weld part are provided. In one embodiment, a welding system includes a weld part having at least one weld joint to be welded. The welding system also includes a visual acquisition system including an imaging device and being adapted to acquire a visual representation of the weld part and to convert the visual representation into a digital signal representative of the weld part features. The welding system further includes a part recognition system having processing circuitry and memory. The processing circuitry is adapted to receive the digital signal and to compare the digital signal to a database stored in the memory to identify the weld part, weld settings appropriate for welding the weld part, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Alan Edward Stein, Stephen Paul Ferkel