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).
-
Patent number: 9129330Abstract: A welding-type device has a wireless communication unit 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, monitoring inventory, preventing theft of welding-type devices, and scheduling preventive maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Darryl Grant Harvey, James F. Ulrich, Sundaram Nagarajan
-
Publication number: 20140284323Abstract: A welding-type device has wireless communications to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification 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 preventing theft of welding-type devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, James F. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20140263238Abstract: 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: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
-
Publication number: 20140263245Abstract: 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: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
-
Publication number: 20140214604Abstract: A welding-type device has a wireless communication unit 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, monitoring inventory, preventing theft of welding-type devices, and scheduling preventive maintenance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Darryl Grant Harvey, James F. Ulrich, Sundaram Nagarajan
-
Publication number: 20140190944Abstract: 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: March 11, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 8748776Abstract: A welding-type device has wireless communications to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification 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 preventing theft of welding-type devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Bruce Albrecht, James F. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20140144899Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Todd Earl Holverson
-
Patent number: 8710396Abstract: 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: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 8686318Abstract: A welding-type device has a wireless communication unit 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, monitoring inventory, preventing theft of welding-type devices, and scheduling preventive maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Bruce Albrecht, Darryl Grant Harvey, Sundaram Nagarajan, James F. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 8592722Abstract: 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 3, 2008Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Bruce Albrecht, Todd E. Holverson
-
Patent number: 8304685Abstract: The present invention includes a plasma cutter having an input configured to receive welding power and a converter arranged according to a ?uk topology and configured to automatically convert the welding power to plasma-cutting power.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Bunker, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20120012559Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Allen Fisher, James F. Ulrich, Ryan Jerome Lindeman
-
Patent number: 7902484Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote control that uses a welding circuit to transfer control information to a welding power source. The information to be communicated to the power source includes welding power source output command information (amperage/voltage control), welding circuit on/off information (power source output contactor control), and power source mode control (constant voltage/constant current). The control information may be transmitted in a serial communication and/or encoded using frequency and or voltage coding. The control information may be transmitted during dedicated transmission intervals or as an offset to an open circuit voltage between the power source and wire feeder.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James F. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20100108654Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Bruce Albrecht, Todd E. Holverson
-
Patent number: 7381922Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remote control that uses a welding circuit to transfer control information to a welding power source. The information to be communicated to the power source includes welding power source output command information (amperage/voltage control), welding circuit on/off information (power source output contactor control), and power source mode control (constant voltage/constant current). The control information may be transmitted in a serial communication and/or encoded using frequency and or voltage coding. The control information may be transmitted during dedicated transmission intervals or as an offset to an open circuit voltage between the power source and wire feeder.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James F. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20080023449Abstract: A system for providing a dynamically controlled plasma cutting system includes a plasma cutting system having 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 8, 2007Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
-
Publication number: 20080023451Abstract: 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: July 27, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 7186944Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically determining a consumable type when a consumable is disposed within an electrode holder of a welding-type system is disclosed. The invention includes a detector assembly that measures a physical characteristic of a connected consumable and provides feedback regarding that which is measured. From the feedback, the operating parameters of a welding-type process may be automatically prescribed.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Tim A. Matus, James F. Ulrich
-
Patent number: 7083954Abstract: Corn oil and corn meal obtained from corn are included in useful products. A method for producing fermentation-based products comprises combining corn meal with water and an enzyme, and mixing the combination with a micro-organism capable of fermenting a carbon source to produce a fermentation-based product. The corn meal is produced by cracking whole corn, conditioning the whole corn and extracting the whole corn to produce corn meal without flaking the corn during processing. The corn grain process generally includes the steps of cracking corn grain having a total oil content of from about 3% by weight to about 30% by weight and extracting a corn oil from the cracked corn grain.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Renessen LLCInventors: Neal Torrey Jakel, James F. Ulrich