Patents by Inventor Craig S. Knoener

Craig S. Knoener 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: 20230364700
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing short arc welding-type power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply, a wire feeder, and a controller. The output current is decreased at dive rate when the arc forms. The dive rate is maintained until the currents drops to a threshold, preferably a function of the peak short current in that cycle. Then the current is held steady for a length of time that is a percentage of the short time for that cycle. Then the current is decreased at the normal rate until the short reforms, and the current begins increasing at the normal rate. The holding steady portion can be omitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Craig S. Knoener, Jake B. Zwayer, Zackary W. MacMullen
  • Patent number: 11541475
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing short arc welding-type power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply, a wire feeder, and a controller. The output current is decreased at dive rate when the arc forms. The dive rate is maintained until the currents drops to a threshold, preferably a function of the peak short current in that cycle. Then the current is held steady for a length of time that is a percentage of the short time for that cycle. Then the current is decreased at the normal rate until the short reforms, and the current begins increasing at the normal rate. The holding steady portion can be omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Knoener, Jake B. Zwayer, Zachary W. MacMullen
  • Patent number: 11161194
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Knoener, Ronald D. Woodward, Alan A. Manthe, Jason A. Dunahoo
  • Patent number: 9821413
    Abstract: A multi-operational welding-type system including a user interface supported by a support structure and including a first user interface device moveable between a welding position, a gouging position, and an off position, and a second user interface device configured to alter operation parameters of the multi-operational welding-type system. A controller is supported by the support structure and monitors the position of the first user interface device and utilizes the operational parameters supplied via the second user interface device. The multi-operational welding-type system may perform only one of a gouging-type process and a welding-type process at a given time depending on the position of the first user interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. McInnis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Publication number: 20160361777
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Knoener, Ronald D. Woodward, Alan A. Manthe, Jason A. Dunahoo
  • Publication number: 20160361773
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing short arc welding-type power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply, a wire feeder, and a controller. The output current is decreased at dive rate when the arc forms. The dive rate is maintained until the currents drops to a threshold, preferably a function of the peak short current in that cycle. Then the current is held steady for a length of time that is a percentage of the short time for that cycle. Then the current is decreased at the normal rate until the short reforms, and the current begins increasing at the normal rate. The holding steady portion can be omitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Knoener, Jake B. Zwayer, Zackary W. MacMullen
  • Patent number: 9457433
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system includes a user interface and controller configured to coordinate both welding and gouging operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. McInnis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Publication number: 20150034602
    Abstract: A multi-operational welding-type system including a user interface supported by a support structure and including a first user interface device moveable between a welding position, a gouging position, and an off position, and a second user interface device configured to alter operation parameters of the multi-operational welding-type system. A controller is supported by the support structure and monitors the position of the first user interface device and utilizes the operational parameters supplied via the second user interface device. The multi-operational welding-type system may perform only one of a gouging-type process and a welding-type process at a given time depending on the position of the first user interface device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. Mc Innis, Brian A. Schwartz, Micahel W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Patent number: 8937266
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system includes a welding-type power source configured to deliver welding-type power for a variety of welding-type processes. The system also includes a gouging torch connected to the welding-type power source to receive welding-type power during a gouging-type process and a wire feeder connected to the welding-type power source to receive welding-type power during a welding-process. Furthermore, the system includes a controller configured to coordinate operation of the wire feeder, the gouging torch, and the power supply to perform only one of the gouging-type process and the welding-type process at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. McInnis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Patent number: 8937265
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system is designed to protect improve work flow efficiency. Specifically, a welding-type power source is provided that is free of user interface devices designed to select power parameters. Instead, a wire feeder is provided that includes a user interface configured to receive operational and power parameters and a controller configured to control operation of the welding-type power source based on the feedback received through the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. McInnis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Patent number: 8895895
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system is designed to protect the components of the system against accidental damage and undue stresses. Specifically, portable structure and a strain protection system are provided. The strain protection system is supported by a portable structure and engages one or both of a welding-type cable and a power cable to transfer forces applied to the welding-type cable or power cable when adjusting a position of the portable structure to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. McInnis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz, Kodi K. Welch
  • Patent number: 8809741
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system is designed to improve work flow efficiency. Accordingly, a multi-cable umbilical cord system is provided that combines and couples a number of power, control, and gas deliver cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Christopher D. McInnis, Kodi K. Welch, Michael W. Hogan, Craig S. Knoener, Brian A. Schwartz, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Publication number: 20080203066
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system is designed to improve work flow efficiency. Accordingly, a multi-cable umbilical cord system is provided that combines and couples a number of power, control, and gas deliver cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Christopher D. Mc Innis, Kodi K. Welch, Michael W. Hogan, Craig S. Knoener, Brian A. Schwartz, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Publication number: 20080203074
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system is designed to protect the components of the system against accidental damage and undue stresses. Specifically, portable structure and a strain protection system are provided. The strain protection system is supported by a portable structure and engages one or both of a welding-type cable and a power cable to transfer forces applied to the welding-type cable or power cable when adjusting a position of the portable structure to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. McInnis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz, Kodi K. Welch
  • Publication number: 20080203067
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system includes a user interface and controller configured to coordinate both welding and gouging operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. McInnis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Publication number: 20080203065
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system includes a welding-type power source configured to deliver welding-type power for a variety of welding-type processes. The system also includes a gouging torch connected to the welding-type power source to receive welding-type power during a gouging-type process and a wire feeder connected to the welding-type power source to receive welding-type power during a welding-process. Furthermore, the system includes a controller configured to coordinate operation of the wire feeder, the gouging torch, and the power supply to perform only one of the gouging-type process and the welding-type process at a given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. Mc Innis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Publication number: 20080203073
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system is designed to protect improve work flow efficiency. Specifically, a welding-type power source is provided that is free of user interface devices designed to select power parameters. Instead, a wire feeder is provided that includes a user interface configured to receive operational and power parameters and a controller configured to control operation of the welding-type power source based on the feedback received through the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph E Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. Mc Innis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan, Jeffrey P. Lenz
  • Publication number: 20080203075
    Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system is designed to improve work flow efficiency. Specifically, a portable support structure is provided that includes a number of integrated components, such as transmission power receptacles and gas supply connections, that provide ready access to resources to perform a number of welding-type processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph E. Feldhausen, Jeffrey W. Rappold, Gary A. Thyssen, Craig S. Knoener, Christopher D. McInnis, Brian A. Schwartz, Michael W. Hogan
  • Patent number: 6858818
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a wire feeder of a welding-type system is disclosed. A wire feeder including a controller capable of accepting a user input that includes desired mode, desired current output and desired voltage output. The controller then causes the welding-type system to operate according to the user input. The controller is also capable of acquiring output conditions of the welding-type system and determining a difference between the user input and the output conditions. The controller is further enabled to automatically adjust a speed of the wire feeder according to the user input mode and the desired current output or the desired voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Knoener
  • Publication number: 20040173591
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a wire feeder of a welding-type system is disclosed. A wire feeder including a controller capable of accepting a user input that includes desired mode, desired current output and desired voltage output. The controller then causes the welding-type system to operate according to the user input. The controller is also capable of acquiring output conditions of the welding-type system and determining a difference between the user input and the output conditions. The controller is further enabled to automatically adjust a speed of the wire feeder according to the user input mode and the desired current output or the desired voltage output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Craig S. Knoener