Patents by Inventor David G. Almy

David G. Almy 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).

  • Patent number: 9718142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson, David G. Almy, Curt J. Beck
  • Publication number: 20160207136
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the (at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson, David G. Almy, Curt J. Beck
  • Patent number: 9314865
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson, David G. Almy, Curt J. Beck
  • Publication number: 20150108103
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson, David G. Almy, Curt J. Beck
  • Patent number: 8927903
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson, David G. Almy, Curt J. Beck
  • Publication number: 20140175074
    Abstract: A method and system for pulse welding provides an output pulse waveform. The waveform has at least a frequency from a range of available frequencies not limited to harmonic frequencies. The waveform provides power suitable for welding, and has a plurality of background portions alternating with a plurality of peak portions. A transition down occurs from the peak portion to the background portion with a first acceleration and a transition up occurs from the background portion to the peak portion with a second acceleration. At least one of the first and second accelerations are non-zero over at least most of the transition. The waveform is preferably created by switching an inverter. Both accelerations may be non-zero, and each transition may have two accelerations, one negative closer to the peak, and one positive closer to the background. The accelerations may be constant with opposite polarity. Preferably the process is current controlled during the transitions. The process frequency may be fixed or varying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, David G. Almy, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 8704131
    Abstract: A method and system for pulse welding provides an output pulse waveform. The waveform has at least a frequency from a range of available frequencies not limited to harmonic frequencies. The waveform provides power suitable for welding, and has a plurality of background portions alternating with a plurality of peak portions. A transition down occurs from the peak portion to the background portion with a first acceleration and a transition up occurs from the background portion to the peak portion with a second acceleration. At least one of the first and second accelerations are non-zero over at least most of the transition. The waveform is preferably created by switching an inverter. Both accelerations may be non-zero, and each transition may have two accelerations, one negative closer to the peak, and one positive closer to the background. The accelerations may be constant with opposite polarity. Preferably the process is current controlled during the transitions. The process frequency may be fixed or varying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, David G. Almy, Richard J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20140069901
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson, David G. Almy, Curt J. Beck
  • Patent number: 8598492
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson, David G. Almy, Curt J. Beck
  • Patent number: 7129443
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson, David G. Almy, Curt J. Beck
  • Patent number: 6909067
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, James Uecker, Todd Holverson, David G. Almy, Curtis J. Beck
  • Patent number: 6121575
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding include a source of power, a wire feeder and a controller. The controller sends control signals to the wire feeder and the source of power. The controller also has an adjustable arc control input, and the controller controls at least three welding parameters in response to the arc control input. The arc control input may be an arc width input, and the controller may simultaneously control at least three welding parameters to obtain a desired arc width. The at least three welding parameters may include at least three of peak welding current, background welding current, pulse width, and frequency and the arc control input may be a user-selectable input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Ott, David G. Almy, Jeffrey Ihde