Patents by Inventor Andrew James Thielke

Andrew James Thielke 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).

  • Publication number: 20230381880
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a weld monitor, and an arc modulator. The power converter outputs welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch. The weld monitor monitors one or more aspects of a weld performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch, and selects an audio message based on the one or more aspects. The arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Milad Pashapour Nikou, Andrew James Thielke
  • Patent number: 11717905
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a weld monitor, and an arc modulator. The power converter outputs welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch. The weld monitor monitors one or more aspects of a weld performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch, and selects an audio message based on the one or more aspects. The arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Milad Pashapour Nikou, Andrew James Thielke
  • Publication number: 20220031121
    Abstract: Devices and methods to heat food over an open flame are disclosed. An example food warming device includes a fork and pan used together to evenly distribute heat into solid food, minimize direct heat from the flame to the food, and reduce the chance of igniting the food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Andrew James Thielke, Milad Pashapour Nikou
  • Patent number: 11213907
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selecting welding schedules in welding-type torches. A welding-type torch configured for use during welding-type operations, with the welding-type torch comprising an input device configured for setting a welding-type parameter, such as welding schedules, associated with a welding-type device that is used in conjunction with the welding-type torch during the welding-type operations. The welding-type device may be a welding-type power source. The welding-type torch is connected to the welding-type device via a welding-type connector, with the setting of the welding-type parameter occurring via the welding-type connector and without requiring a change to structure of the welding-type connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Chris J. Roehl, Andrew James Thielke
  • Patent number: 10987749
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for indicating schedules in welding-type torches. A welding-type system may comprise a welding-type power source, a welding-type torch, driven by the welding-type power source, and a welding-type connector configured for connecting the welding-type power source to the welding-type torch. The welding-type torch may comprise one or more indication components configured for providing, to a user of the welding-type system, indications relating to at least one of operations of the welding-type torch, status of welding-type operations, or welding-type parameters. The one or more indications comprise an indication of a present value of a particular welding-type parameter that pertains to configuration of the welding-type power source; and the one or more indication components are configured to provide the indication of present value of the particular welding-type parameter without requiring a change to structure of the welding-type connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Chris J. Roehl, Andrew James Thielke
  • Publication number: 20200215637
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a weld monitor, and an arc modulator. The power converter outputs welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch. The weld monitor monitors one or more aspects of a weld performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch, and selects an audio message based on the one or more aspects. The arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Milad Pashapour Nikou, Andrew James Thielke
  • Patent number: 10596651
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a weld monitor, and an arc modulator. The power converter outputs welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch. The weld monitor monitors one or more aspects of a weld performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch, and selects an audio message based on the one or more aspects. The arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Milad Pashapour Nikou, Andrew James Thielke
  • Publication number: 20190015920
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a weld monitor, and an arc modulator. The power converter outputs welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch. The weld monitor monitors one or more aspects of a weld performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch, and selects an audio message based on the one or more aspects. The arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Milad Pashapour Nikou, Andrew James Thielke
  • Publication number: 20180185947
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for indicating schedules in welding-type torches. A welding-type system may comprise a welding-type power source, a welding-type torch, driven by the welding-type power source, and a welding-type connector configured for connecting the welding-type power source to the welding-type torch. The welding-type torch may comprise one or more indication components configured for providing, to a user of the welding-type system, indications relating to at least one of operations of the welding-type torch, status of welding-type operations, or welding-type parameters. The one or more indications comprise an indication of a present value of a particular welding-type parameter that pertains to configuration of the welding-type power source; and the one or more indication components are configured to provide the indication of present value of the particular welding-type parameter without requiring a change to structure of the welding-type connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Chris J. Roehl, Andrew James Thielke
  • Publication number: 20180185948
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for visually displaying thermal duty cycles. Remaining weld time may be determined in a welding-type apparatus based on one or more parameters that correspond to at least one of: a real-time measurement corresponding to ambient conditions, a real-time measurement corresponding to power consumption, and a thermal profile of the welding apparatus. The information relating to the indication of remaining weld time may be presented to an operator of the welding-type system. The welding-type power supply may be shut off when a shut off threshold is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Milad Pashapour Nikou, Andrew James Thielke, Zach W. MacMullen, Charles Ace Tyler
  • Publication number: 20180185950
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selecting welding schedules in welding-type torches. A welding-type torch configured for use during welding-type operations, with the welding-type torch comprising an input device configured for setting a welding-type parameter, such as welding schedules, associated with a welding-type device that is used in conjunction with the welding-type torch during the welding-type operations. The welding-type device may be a welding-type power source. The welding-type torch is connected to the welding-type device via a welding-type connector, with the setting of the welding-type parameter occurring via the welding-type connector and without requiring a change to structure of the welding-type connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Chris J. Roehl, Andrew James Thielke