Patents by Inventor Erik C. Miller

Erik C. Miller 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: 20240254934
    Abstract: An engine driven welding system having an air compressor subsystem is provided. The system includes a first air pressure sensor to measure an outlet air pressure value at an outlet of the air compressor subsystem. A proportional air inlet valve device is configured to be adjusted to regulate the outlet air pressure value. A controller is configured to record an adjustment value of the proportional air inlet valve device as adjusted. A clutch mechanism is configured to be engaged to enable air compression, and to be disengaged by the controller when the adjustment value of the proportional air inlet valve falls below a first threshold value for a determined period of time. A second air pressure sensor is configured to monitor a second air pressure value, where the clutch mechanism cannot be re-engaged by the controller unless the second air pressure value falls below a second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Erik C. Miller, Adam K. Simon
  • Patent number: 11897061
    Abstract: A welding machine includes a welding power supply that generates a welding waveform during a welding operation, an internal combustion engine, and a generator that is operatively connected to the welding power supply to supply electrical energy to the welding power supply. The generator includes a rotor shaft driven by the internal combustion engine, and an end casting located at an end of the generator opposite the internal combustion engine. A rotary screw compressor is mounted to the end casting of the generator. A clutch mechanism couples the rotor shaft to the rotary screw compressor to selectively drive the rotary screw compressor by the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Todd E. Kooken, Edward A. Enyedy, Adam M. Hruska, Erik C. Miller, Steven R. Sumner
  • Publication number: 20230023065
    Abstract: A welding machine includes a welding power supply that generates a welding waveform during a welding operation, an internal combustion engine, and a generator that is operatively connected to the welding power supply to supply electrical energy to the welding power supply. The generator includes a rotor shaft driven by the internal combustion engine, and an end casting located at an end of the generator opposite the internal combustion engine. A rotary screw compressor is mounted to the end casting of the generator. A clutch mechanism couples the rotor shaft to the rotary screw compressor to selectively drive the rotary screw compressor by the rotor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Todd E. Kooken, Edward A. Enyedy, Adam M. Hruska, Erik C. Miller, Steven R. Sumner
  • Publication number: 20220063011
    Abstract: A multi-function machine is provided. In one embodiment, the multi-function machine includes a generator driven by an engine for generating electrical power. The multi-function machine also includes a welding power supply electrically powered by the generator to provide an arc gouging output during an arc gouging process when the multi-function machine is in an arc gouging mode. The multi-function machine further includes an air compressor system driven by the generator to provide a compressed air output to support the arc gouging process. The multi-function machine also includes a controller operatively connected to the welding power supply and the air compressor system. The air compressor system is commanded by the controller to activate to provide the compressed air output when the arc gouging mode is selected and/or change a characteristic of the compressed air output when an arc gouging set point of the arc gouging mode is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Erik C. Miller, Edward A. Enyedy