Patents by Inventor Christopher S. Passage
Christopher S. Passage 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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Patent number: 11826847Abstract: In some aspects, methods for preserving a usable life of a plasma arc electrode consumable installed in a plasma arc torch can include measuring a characteristic of an electrical signal being provided to the torch to generate a plasma arc between the torch and a workpiece to be processed; monitoring the characteristic during operation of the torch over a time period; comparing the characteristic to a threshold value; and, responsive to determining that a measured characteristic meets and/or exceeds the threshold value, initiating an arc extinguishing sequence to preserve the life of the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Ames, Christopher S. Passage, Soumya Mitra, John Peters
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Patent number: 10802451Abstract: A material processing system includes a power supply in electrical communication with a cutting head. The power supply includes a control processor and a wireless communications control circuit configured to establish a web server for wirelessly communicating with a client device via a first communications interface. The wireless communications control circuit is configured to receive a request from the client device for a first web resource. The wireless communications control circuit is configured to request, via a second communications interface, a set of material processing system parameters from the control processor. The set of material processing system parameters is based on content of the request. The wireless communications control circuit is configured to serve, via the web server over the first communications interface, the first web resource to the client device. The first web resource includes web page formatting information and the set of material processing system parameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Dana Labrecque, Christopher S. Passage
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Patent number: 10722970Abstract: In some aspects, methods for limiting damage to a plasma arc torch body resulting from a consumable failure within the torch can include determining a specified conductivity parameter set point of a current to be provided to the plasma arc torch for a material processing operation; measuring a detected conductivity parameter of plasma arc current being provided to the plasma torch to perform the material processing operation; comparing the specified conductivity parameter set point to the detected conductivity parameter of plasma arc current and calculating an error term signal; and based on a determination that the error term signal exceeds a threshold amount, initiating a plasma arc shut down sequence to extinguish the plasma arc to limit damage to the plasma arc torch body.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Liebold, Christopher S. Passage, Soumya Mitra, Steve Dunbar
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Publication number: 20200139479Abstract: In some aspects, methods for preserving a usable life of a plasma arc electrode consumable installed in a plasma arc torch can include measuring a characteristic of an electrical signal being provided to the torch to generate a plasma arc between the torch and a workpiece to be processed; monitoring the characteristic during operation of the torch over a time period; comparing the characteristic to a threshold value; and, responsive to determining that a measured characteristic meets and/or exceeds the threshold value, initiating an arc extinguishing sequence to preserve the life of the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Jonathan Ames, Christopher S. Passage, Soumya Mitra, John Peters
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Publication number: 20200114450Abstract: A method for visually communicating material processing parameters to an operator of a torch system. The method includes receiving data related to a material processing operation from at least one sensor of a torch system and at least one camera disposed on a protective helmet. The method further includes processing the data into information relating to a set of material processing parameters and converting the information into visual data compatible with a display disposed on or within the protective helmet. The method also includes providing the visual data to a region of the display for viewing by an operator of the torch system. The region of the display is within a field of view of the operator in order to visually communicate the information to the operator of the torch system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Dennis Kulakowski, Christopher S. Passage, Richard Adams, Clifford G. Darrow, Brett A. Hansen, John Peters, Justin Gullotta, Garrett K. Quillia, Jeff Ortakales
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Patent number: 10610953Abstract: A plasma cutting system includes a plasma torch having a head, and a housing. A power supply is disposed within the housing and is in communication with the plasma torch. The power supply is configured to provide an output current for generating and maintaining a plasma cutting arc by the plasma torch, and includes a control processor in communication with a plurality of autonomous switching circuits via a multi-node communications bus. Each of the autonomous switching circuits includes a microcontroller configured to control the generation of a portion of the output current based on messages received from the control processor, monitor operating parameters of the autonomous switching circuit, and modify a control parameter of the autonomous switching circuit independent of and asynchronous to the other autonomous switching circuits of the plurality of autonomous switching circuits when one or more of the operating parameters exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Wayne Chin, Girish R. Kamath, Norman LeBlanc, Christopher S. Passage, Shane M. Selmer
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Patent number: 10562125Abstract: In some aspects, methods for preserving a usable life of a plasma arc electrode consumable installed in a plasma arc torch can include measuring a characteristic of an electrical signal being provided to the torch to generate a plasma arc between the torch and a workpiece to be processed; monitoring the characteristic during operation of the torch over a time period; comparing the characteristic to a threshold value; and, responsive to determining that a measured characteristic meets and/or exceeds the threshold value, initiating an arc extinguishing sequence to preserve the life of the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Ames, Christopher S. Passage, Soumya Mitra, John Peters
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Publication number: 20170315524Abstract: A material processing system includes a power supply in electrical communication with a cutting head. The power supply includes a control processor and a wireless communications control circuit configured to establish a web server for wirelessly communicating with a client device via a first communications interface. The wireless communications control circuit is configured to receive a request from the client device for a first web resource. The wireless communications control circuit is configured to request, via a second communications interface, a set of material processing system parameters from the control processor. The set of material processing system parameters is based on content of the request. The wireless communications control circuit is configured to serve, via the web server over the first communications interface, the first web resource to the client device. The first web resource includes web page formatting information and the set of material processing system parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Dana Labrecque, Christopher S. Passage
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Publication number: 20170291245Abstract: A plasma cutting system includes a plasma torch having a head, and a housing. A power supply is disposed within the housing and is in communication with the plasma torch. The power supply is configured to provide an output current for generating and maintaining a plasma cutting arc by the plasma torch, and includes a control processor in communication with a plurality of autonomous switching circuits via a multi-node communications bus. Each of the autonomous switching circuits includes a microcontroller configured to control the generation of a portion of the output current based on messages received from the control processor, monitor operating parameters of the autonomous switching circuit, and modify a control parameter of the autonomous switching circuit independent of and asynchronous to the other autonomous switching circuits of the plurality of autonomous switching circuits when one or more of the operating parameters exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Wayne Chin, Girish R. Kamath, Norman LeBlanc, Christopher S. Passage, Shane M. Selmer
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Publication number: 20170095877Abstract: In some aspects, methods for preserving a usable life of a plasma arc electrode consumable installed in a plasma arc torch can include measuring a characteristic of an electrical signal being provided to the torch to generate a plasma arc between the torch and a workpiece to be processed; monitoring the characteristic during operation of the torch over a time period; comparing the characteristic to a threshold value; and, responsive to determining that a measured characteristic meets and/or exceeds the threshold value, initiating an arc extinguishing sequence to preserve the life of the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Jonathan Ames, Christopher S. Passage, Soumya Mitra, John Peters
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Publication number: 20170095878Abstract: In some aspects, methods for limiting damage to a plasma arc torch body resulting from a consumable failure within the torch can include determining a specified conductivity parameter set point of a current to be provided to the plasma arc torch for a material processing operation; measuring a detected conductivity parameter of plasma arc current being provided to the plasma torch to perform the material processing operation; comparing the specified conductivity parameter set point to the detected conductivity parameter of plasma arc current and calculating an error term signal; and based on a determination that the error term signal exceeds a threshold amount, initiating a plasma arc shut down sequence to extinguish the plasma arc to limit damage to the plasma arc torch body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Stephen M. Liebold, Christopher S. Passage, Soumya Mitra, Steve Dunbar
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Patent number: 8809728Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a gas supply to a plasma arc torch uses a proportional control solenoid valve positioned adjacent the torch to manipulate the gas flow to the torch, thereby extending electrode life during arc transfer and shutdown. Swirl ring design can be simplified and gas supply and distribution systems become less complicated. The invention also allows manipulation of shield gas flow to reduce divot formation when making interior cuts. The system can be controlled with a digital signal processor utilizing a feedback loop from a sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Christopher S. Passage, Shane M. Selmer, Girish R. Kamath, Guy T. Best, Stephen M. Liebold, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan
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Patent number: 8541710Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a gas supply to a plasma arc torch uses a proportional control solenoid valve positioned adjacent the torch to manipulate the gas flow to the torch, thereby extending electrode life during arc transfer and shutdown. Swirl ring design can be simplified and gas supply and distribution systems become less complicated. The invention also allows manipulation of shield gas flow to reduce divot formation when making interior cuts. The system can be controlled with a digital signal processor utilizing a feedback loop from a sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Christopher S. Passage, Shane M. Selmer, Girish R. Kamath, Guy T. Best, Stephen M. Liebold, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan
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Publication number: 20080210670Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a gas supply to a plasma arc torch uses a proportional control solenoid valve positioned adjacent the torch to manipulate the gas flow to the torch, thereby extending electrode life during arc transfer and shutdown. Swirl ring design can be simplified and gas supply and distribution systems become less complicated. The invention also allows manipulation of shield gas flow to reduce divot formation when making interior cuts. The system can be controlled with a digital signal processor utilizing a feedback loop from a sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Christopher S. Passage, Shane M. Selmer, Girish R. Kamath, Guy T. Best, Stephen M. Liebold, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan
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Publication number: 20080169272Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a gas supply to a plasma arc torch uses a proportional control solenoid valve positioned adjacent the torch to manipulate the gas flow to the torch, thereby extending electrode life during arc transfer and shutdown. Swirl ring design can be simplified and gas supply and distribution systems become less complicated. The invention also allows manipulation of shield gas flow to reduce divot formation when making interior cuts. The system can be controlled with a digital signal processor utilizing a feedback loop from a sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Aaron D. Brandt, Christopher S. Passage, Shane M. Selmer, Girish R. Kamath, Guy T. Best, Stephen M. Liebold, Jon W. Lindsay, Zheng Duan
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Publication number: 20080083714Abstract: A system and method is featured for controlling a process parameter of a thermal processing system by estimating an arc voltage between a plasma arc torch tip and a metallic workpiece and controlling the process parameter based on the estimated arc voltage. Particular embodiments include adjusting the height of a plasma torch based on the estimated arc voltage. A system and method is also featured for estimating an arc voltage in a thermal processing system in which a switch mode power supply provides an arc current to generate a plasma arc between a plasma arc torch tip and a metallic workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Applicant: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Girish R. Kamath, John Miramonti, Norman LeBlanc, Christopher S. Passage, Wayne Chin
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Patent number: 6028287Abstract: A torch height control system maintains a substantially constant operating parameter of the arc during processing of a workpiece by measuring the operating parameter, comparing the operating parameter to a reference value to generate a deviation, adjusting a standoff between the torch and the workpiece by moving the torch relative to the workpiece at a rate which increases with an increase in the deviation to minimize the deviation, and clamping the rate of torch movement relative to the workpiece when the deviation exceeds a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Hyperthem, Inc.Inventors: Christopher S. Passage, John Sobr, Jeffrey L. Peterson