Patents by Inventor James M. Thommes
James M. Thommes 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: 20090266805Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 7319206Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 7049546Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 6849827Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Publication number: 20040195225Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Publication number: 20010038000Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 6239407Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltage and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 6002103Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 5601741Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding current is disclosed. The power source is capable of receiving any input voltage over a wide range of input voltages and includes an input rectifier that rectifies the ac input into a dc signal. A dc voltage stage converts the dc signal to a desired dc voltage and an inverter inverts the dc signal into a second ac signal. An output transformer receives the second ac signal and provides a third ac signal that has a current magnitude suitable for welding. The welding current may be rectified and smoothed by an output inductor and an output rectifier. A controller provides control signals to the inverter and an auxiliary power controller that can receive a range of input voltages and provide a control power signal to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1994Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 5086205Abstract: A boosting circuit is used to boost the voltage output of a DC selding power supply to a higher voltage output adequate for powering a plasma cutting torch. The boosting circuit includes a first inductive stage including an inductor receiving energy from a DC welding power supply. The boosting circuit also includes a capacitive second stage receiving energy from the inductor in the first stage where the two stages together boost the output of the boosting circuit to a voltage output higher than that supplied by the welding power supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1990Date of Patent: February 4, 1992Assignee: Powcon, Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 4943699Abstract: A power supply is disclosed for both arc welding and plasma cutting. The power supply includes an A.C. power source, a transformer having a primary winding receiving power from the A.C. power source and secondary winding. Power in the secondary winding is rectified by rectifier to provide a first output suitable for arc welding and a second output suitable for plasma cutting. A switch connected to the rectifier selects between the two outputs. Conventional power supplies employ an inductance for stabilizing the current in the plasma cutting power supply. According to another aspect of the invention, the power supply includes a circuit path in parallel to the inductance for passing additional current to the torch so that the open circuit voltage applied to the inductance required for sustaining the arc is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1989Date of Patent: July 24, 1990Assignee: PowCon Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 4918285Abstract: A power supply is disclosed for both arc welding and plasma cutting. The power supply includes an A.C. power source, a transformer having a primary winding receiving power from the A.C. power source and a secondary winding. Power in the secondary winding is rectified by rectifier to provide a first output suitable for arc welding and a second output suitable for plasma cutting. A switch connected to the rectifier selects between the two outputs. Conventional power supplies employ an inductance for stabilizing the current in the plasma cutting power supply. According to another aspect of the invention, the power supply includes a circuit path in parallel to the inductance for passing additional current to the torch so that the open circuit voltage applied to the inductance required for sustaining the arc is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1988Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Cyclomatic Industries, Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 4839499Abstract: The housing of the cutting torch power supply has an opening and a drawer which can be slid into and out of the opening. The back wall of the drawer carries a connector plug adapted for connection to the torch connectors and connections to a gas source, and a power source in the power supply. When the drawer extends out of the opening, the connector plug is accessible for changing connectors. The drawer may also be entirely removed from the housing so that the connector plug can be replaced. The above feature enables the power supply to be conveniently used for supplying power and gas to torches which have cables with different types of gas and power connectors. When the drawer is in a closed position, power is supplied to the torch. When the drawer is away from the closed position, a switch is activated to cut off power to the torch to prevent shock hazard.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1988Date of Patent: June 13, 1989Assignee: Cyclomatic Industries, Inc.Inventors: Mariusz B. Kotecki, James M. Thommes
-
Patent number: 4385223Abstract: A signal conditioning circuit for providing a DC voltage to an arc voltage controller for controlling the length of an AC arc of a gas tungsten arc welder. Specifically, a first control circuit is employed which charges to a first value by a signal of a given polarity of one cycle of the AC arc for providing a DC voltage and an additional control circuit is employed for rapidly discharging the first control circuit when the maximum absolute amplitude of a signal of a given polarity of a subsequent cycle of the AC arc is less than the DC voltage provided by the first control circuit. The first control circuit is charged to a higher second value when the maximum absolute amplitude of a signal of a given polarity of a subsequent cycle of the AC arc is greater than the DC voltage provided by the first control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1980Date of Patent: May 24, 1983Assignee: Cyclomatic Industries, Inc.Inventor: James M. Thommes