Patents by Inventor James F. Ulrich
James F. Ulrich 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: 11724330Abstract: A welding system includes an engine configured to drive a generator to produce a first power output. The welding system also includes a battery configured to discharge energy to produce a second power output. In addition, the welding system includes an auxiliary charger coupled to the battery and the generator. The auxiliary charger is configured to maintain a float charge of the battery when the first and second power outputs are reduced from a base load.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
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Patent number: 11565338Abstract: An example welding user interface system includes: a user interface configured to receive a plurality of control inputs indicative of a plurality of weld specifications, wherein the plurality of weld specifications comprise two or more physical attributes of a weld, the physical attributes comprising two or more of a workpiece thickness, a joint type, a workpiece material, a fillet size, a penetration depth, a penetration profile, a bead width, a wire type, a wire feed speed, or a gas type; and a processor configured to convert the weld specifications from the plurality of control inputs into electrical parameters of a welding power source, and to control an output welding power of the welding power source based at least in part on the electrical parameters.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Todd Earl Holverson
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Patent number: 11433471Abstract: A system for providing a dynamically controlled plasma cutting system. The plasma cutting system includes a proportional valve and a sensing device arrangement and a controller connected to this arrangement. The system is configured to dynamically control gas flow in a plasma torch. The system measures gas pressure at a proportional valve and makes necessary gas pressure adjustments in the system by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve to control gas flow.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
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Patent number: 11185940Abstract: A method for controlling an output current of a welding power supply includes detecting, using control circuitry of the welding power supply, a root mean square (RMS) current setting. The method also includes calculating, using the control circuitry, an average current command based on the RMS current setting. The method also includes controlling, using the control circuitry, the output current using the average current command to produce an output substantially the same as the RMS current setting.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Jeremy D. Overesch, Edward G. Beistle
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Publication number: 20210060683Abstract: A welding system includes an engine configured to drive a generator to produce a first power output. The welding system also includes a battery configured to discharge energy to produce a second power output. In addition, the welding system includes an auxiliary charger coupled to the battery and the generator. The auxiliary charger is configured to maintain a float charge of the battery when the first and second power outputs are reduced from a base load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
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Patent number: 10864592Abstract: A welding system includes an engine configured to drive a generator to produce a first power output. The welding system also includes a battery configured to discharge energy to produce a second power output. In addition, the welding system includes an auxiliary charger coupled to the battery and the generator. The auxiliary charger is configured to maintain a float charge of the battery when the first and second power outputs are reduced from a base load.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
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Publication number: 20200282485Abstract: An example welding user interface system includes: a user interface configured to receive a plurality of control inputs indicative of a plurality of weld specifications, wherein the plurality of weld specifications comprise two or more physical attributes of a weld, the physical attributes comprising two or more of a workpiece thickness, a joint type, a workpiece material, a fillet size, a penetration depth, a penetration profile, a bead width, a wire type, a wire feed speed, or a gas type; and a processor configured to convert the weld specifications from the plurality of control inputs into electrical parameters of a welding power source, and to control an output welding power of the welding power source based at least in part on the electrical parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Todd Earl Holverson
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Patent number: 10766089Abstract: A heat input control method for a welding system includes the step of receiving data encoding a desired heat input range having heat input values included between an upper limit and a lower limit. The method also includes the step of receiving data encoding a desired change to a level of a first weld variable of a set of weld variables. Further, the method includes determining a change to a level of a second weld variable of the set of weld variables. The determined change to the level of the second weld variable is suitable to maintain a heat input of a welding operation within the desired heat input range.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool WorksInventors: Kenneth Allen Fisher, James F. Ulrich, Ryan Jerome Lindeman
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Patent number: 10661372Abstract: A system and method for determining settings or parameters for a welding-type power source are provided. By presenting an operator with an interface that is positioned along the path of a weld cable and configured to input weld characteristics, an operator is not required to determine electrical parameters for setting a welding-type power source output at the power source. The interface is presented to the operator at a remote welding-type device, such as a wire feeder, a weld robot, a torch, or the like. From the operator-specified weld characteristics, the system and method determine appropriate settings for the power source. In some embodiments, the system and method may automatically set the power source accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Todd Earl Holverson
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Publication number: 20190314924Abstract: A system for providing a dynamically controlled plasma cutting system. The plasma cutting system includes a proportional valve and a sensing device arrangement and a controller connected to this arrangement. The system is configured to dynamically control gas flow in a plasma torch. The system measures gas pressure at a proportional valve and makes necessary gas pressure adjustments in the system by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve to control gas flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
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Patent number: 10427237Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a weld current amperage are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying an amperage parameter of a welding device, determining a voltage set point based on the amperage parameter and a voltage correction factor, outputting weld current based on the amperage parameter and the voltage set point, comparing a measured voltage corresponding to the weld current to a threshold, and when the measured voltage satisfies the threshold, and adjusting an amperage of the weld current based on the amperage parameter, the voltage set point, and the measured voltage using a first amperage-voltage relationship.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Bruce A. Casner, Zakary Stapp
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Patent number: 10391577Abstract: A hybrid welding system is provided. In one embodiment, the welding system includes an engine-driven generator, an energy storage device, a contactor, and a controller. The controller may be configured to control delivery of weld power from the generator when a commanded output is below a threshold level, and from both the generator and the energy storage when the commanded output is above the threshold level. Closing of the contactor enables the energy storage device to contribute to weld power during welding operations and to be charged by the generator output independent of charging between weld operations. Additional hybrid welding systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
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Patent number: 10328516Abstract: A system for providing a dynamically controlled plasma cutting system. The plasma cutting system includes a proportional valve and a sensing device arrangement and a controller connected to this arrangement. The system is configured to dynamically control gas flow in a plasma torch. The system measures gas pressure at a proportional valve and makes necessary gas pressure adjustments in the system by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve to control gas flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
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Patent number: 9862053Abstract: A welding system includes a power supply coupled to a power source and configured to receive a power signal. The power supply includes power conversion circuitry having one or more silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) and configured to rectify the power signal to generate a DC signal for use in providing welding power. The welding system also includes an SCR detection system configured to receive a signal indicative of an inductor current of the DC signal and a signal indicative of a voltage of the DC signal. The SCR detection system is further configured detect a non-firing, open, or shorted SCR in the one or more SCRs based on the inductor current and the welding voltage of the DC signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James F. Ulrich
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Publication number: 20170225254Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a weld current amperage are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying an amperage parameter of a welding device, determining a voltage set point based on the amperage parameter and a voltage correction factor, outputting weld current based on the amperage parameter and the voltage set point, comparing a measured voltage corresponding to the weld current to a threshold, and when the measured voltage satisfies the threshold, and adjusting an amperage of the weld current based on the amperage parameter, the voltage set point, and the measured voltage using a first amperage-voltage relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Bruce A. Casner, Zakary Stapp
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Publication number: 20160325373Abstract: A hybrid welding system is provided. In one embodiment, the welding system includes an engine-driven generator, an energy storage device, a contactor, and a controller. The controller may be configured to control delivery of weld power from the generator when a commanded output is below a threshold level, and from both the generator and the energy storage when the commanded output is above the threshold level. Closing of the contactor enables the energy storage device to contribute to weld power during welding operations and to be charged by the generator output independent of charging between weld operations. Additional hybrid welding systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
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Patent number: 9399261Abstract: A hybrid welding system is provided. In one embodiment, the welding system includes an engine-driven generator, an energy storage device, a contactor, and a controller. The controller may be configured to control delivery of weld power from the generator when a commanded output is below a threshold level, and from both the generator and the energy storage when the commanded output is above the threshold level. Closing of the contactor enables the energy storage device to contribute to weld power during welding operations and to be charged by the generator output independent of charging between weld operations. Additional hybrid welding systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
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Publication number: 20160167152Abstract: A welding system includes a power supply coupled to a power source and configured to receive a power signal. The power supply includes power conversion circuitry having one or more silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) and configured to rectify the power signal to generate a DC signal for use in providing welding power. The welding system also includes an SCR detection system configured to receive a signal indicative of an inductor current of the DC signal and a signal indicative of a voltage of the DC signal. The SCR detection system is further configured detect a non-firing, open, or shorted SCR in the one or more SCRs based on the inductor current and the welding voltage of the DC signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventor: James F. Ulrich
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Patent number: 9138825Abstract: A welding-type device has wireless communications to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification information or location information. The information may be transmitted either automatically or in response to request signals. Such a welding-type device may be configured to communicate with other welding-type devices, a monitoring device, or both. A wireless communication system has at least one welding-type device, at least one wireless communication assembly, and at least one monitoring device and is capable of assisting a user in locating particular welding-type devices, preventing theft of welding-type devices, and scheduling preventive maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Bruce Albrecht, James F. Ulrich
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Publication number: 20150258621Abstract: A method for controlling an output current of a welding power supply includes detecting, using control circuitry of the welding power supply, a root mean square (RMS) current setting. The method also includes calculating, using the control circuitry, an average current command based on the RMS current setting. The method also includes controlling, using the control circuitry, the output current using the average current command to produce an output substantially the same as the RMS current setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Jeremy D. Overesch, Edward G. Beistle