Patents by Inventor Joseph C. Schneider
Joseph C. Schneider 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: 11963691Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Ryan M. Asher, Brian D. Black, John E. Brady, Joseph Dennis, Geni M. Giannotti, Bryce L. Heitman, Timothy S. Holland, Joseph E. Hollo, Andrew Kolpitcke, Amy M. Krumm, Jason R. Lesko, Matthew C. Miller, David A. Monroe, Ion V. Nicolaescu, Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz, Matthew S. Schneider, Richard C. Smith, Shawn C. Snyder, Sarah A. Worthington, Monica L. Rivard, Fajian Zhang
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Publication number: 20230405703Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for pretreating a wire that is used in a welding operation to reduce the amount of hydrogen introduced into a weld. Using embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein, one passes a wire through a pre-treatment chamber in which a wire is treated to release hydrogen and/or other contaminants, and provides a gas flow through the pre-treatment chamber so that the contaminants that are released from the wire are taken up by the gas. The gas exiting the pre-treatment chamber may be isolated from the shielding gas utilized during a welding operation. For instance, the pretreatment gas may be directed away from the distal end of the welding torch, thereby preventing released contaminants from being transported into a weld.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Michael V. Hoeger, Joseph C. Schneider
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Publication number: 20230381024Abstract: Described herein are examples of smart welding helmets having a plurality of functions that go beyond conventional welding helmets. For example, a smart welding helmet may be configured to detect if/when the helmet surpasses one or more temperature thresholds, which may alert an operator if they have been welding too close and/or for too long. Other example smart helmet functions may include the ability to display (and/or otherwise output) feedback/guidance and/or welding information, as well as communicate with appropriate personnel. In some examples, the smart welding helmet may be configured to selectively enable/disable certain functions of the smart welding helmet to accommodate the needs of a particular operator and/or groups of operators.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Joseph C. Schneider
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Publication number: 20230311229Abstract: A portable advanced process module system includes, for example, a welding power source, an portable advanced process module, and a wire feeder. The portable advanced process module and the wire feeder are separately enclosed in suitcase style enclosures with disconnectable power and communication means between the portable advanced process module and the wire feeder. The processing unit includes power electronics to enable advanced weld processes that can be delivered to the wire feeder and a welding work piece. The portable advanced process module is powered by a DC bus that can be supplied by a welding power source. Connecting the portable advanced process module between the welding power source and the wire feeder enables advanced welding processes to be accomplished at great distances from the main welding power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Nathan G. Leiteritz, Joseph C. Schneider
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Patent number: 11772182Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for pretreating a wire that is used in a welding operation to reduce the amount of hydrogen introduced into a weld. Using embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein, one passes a wire through a pre-treatment chamber in which a wire is treated to release hydrogen and/or other contaminants, and provides a gas flow through the pre-treatment chamber so that the contaminants that are released from the wire are taken up by the gas. The gas exiting the pre-treatment chamber may be isolated from the shielding gas utilized during a welding operation. For instance, the pretreatment gas may be directed away from the distal end of the welding torch, thereby preventing released contaminants from being transported into a weld.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Michael V. Hoeger, Joseph C. Schneider
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Publication number: 20230294194Abstract: Disclosed example power supplies, user interfaces, and methods provide for monitoring, analysis and/or presentation of input power characteristics for a welding-type power supply and/or wire feeder. A welding system includes a power supply to deliver power to a welding torch based on one or more input power characteristics. The input power characteristics may correspond to received input power characteristics values during a welding procedure. The input power characteristics are responsive to the power demanded during the welding operation and may change accordingly. To maintain an accounting of the input power characteristics and their values as they change during the welding operation, control circuitry may receive information regarding the input characteristics, analyze the information, and/or generate presentable indicators for display on one or more graphical interfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Craig Knoener, Joseph C. Schneider
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Publication number: 20230290271Abstract: Described herein are examples of weld training systems that show (e.g., transparent and/or translucent) “ghost” images of a welding tool on a display screen of a welding headgear to indicate target positions and/or target orientations of an actual welding tool. In some examples, the weld training systems may additionally “reset” the target tool image to a position closer to the actual welding tool if the target tool image gets too far away. The ability to “reset” the target tool image to a position closer to the actual welding tool may help in minimizing a risk that an operator 106 will overcompensate to try to catch up with the target tool image, which can be detrimental to the weld. Additionally, resetting the target tool image to a position closer the welding tool may allow an operator to better perceive and/or understand differences in orientation and/or other technique parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Mitchell James Muske, Joseph C. Schneider
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Patent number: 11745286Abstract: An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power, and to output the welding-type power via a welding-type circuit; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of at least one component of the welding-type power supply; and stray current detection circuitry configured to detect stray welding-type current based on the measured temperature of the at least one component.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Schneider, Michael D. Madsen, Bernard J. Vogel, Andrew J. Henry
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Publication number: 20230266024Abstract: An example welding system includes: a downdraft table having: a work surface; and a suction source configured to create a negative pressure through at least one of the work surface or a second surface adjacent to the work surface; and a positive pressure source configured to direct a positive pressure airflow around at least a portion of a periphery of the downdraft table.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Joseph C. Schneider, Kevin Pagano, Mitchell James Muske
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Patent number: 11730629Abstract: Described herein are examples of smart welding helmets having a plurality of functions that go beyond conventional welding helmets. For example, a smart welding helmet may be configured to detect if/when the helmet surpasses one or more temperature thresholds, which may alert an operator if they have been welding too close and/or for too long. Other example smart helmet functions may include the ability to display (and/or otherwise output) feedback/guidance and/or welding information, as well as communicate with appropriate personnel. In some examples, the smart welding helmet may be configured to selectively enable/disable certain functions of the smart welding helmet to accommodate the needs of a particular operator and/or groups of operators.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Joseph C. Schneider
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Patent number: 11699359Abstract: Described herein are examples of weld training systems that show (e.g., transparent and/or translucent) “ghost” images of a welding tool on a display screen of a welding headgear to indicate target positions and/or target orientations of an actual welding tool. In some examples, the weld training systems may additionally “reset” the target tool image to a position closer to the actual welding tool if the target tool image gets too far away. The ability to “reset” the target tool image to a position closer to the actual welding tool may help in minimizing a risk that an operator 106 will overcompensate to try to catch up with the target tool image, which can be detrimental to the weld. Additionally, resetting the target tool image to a position closer the welding tool may allow an operator to better perceive and/or understand differences in orientation and/or other technique parameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Mitchell James Muske, Joseph C. Schneider
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Publication number: 20230181940Abstract: Disclosed example respirators comprise: a filter configured to filter the air; a blower fan configured to provide continuous air flow at variable speeds; an air duct configured to direct air from the blower fan to an exhaust location, the blower fan configured to blow air through the air duct; and a blower controller configured to: control the blower fan to automatically adjust an airflow speed of the blower fan to a plurality of airflow speeds over a plurality of different time periods, the plurality of airflow speeds being within an airflow speed range.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Nishank R. Patel, Eric Sommers, Joseph C. Schneider
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Patent number: 11670191Abstract: An example weld training system includes a computing device comprising a display device on a first side and a camera on a second side, the computing device configured to: capture images with the camera; process the captured images to identify a first simulation device as a simulation weld torch and a second simulation device as a simulation workpiece; and display images of a simulated welding operation on the display device of the computing device based on analyzing the captured images to detect indicia of weld performance, the images of the simulated welding operation reflecting the indicia of weld performance; and a mounting device configured to removably hold the computing device to orient the camera of the computing device toward a simulation area.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2022Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Joseph C. Schneider
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Patent number: 11660698Abstract: Disclosed example power supplies, user interfaces, and methods provide for monitoring, analysis and/or presentation of input power characteristics for a welding-type power supply and/or wire feeder. A welding system includes a power supply to deliver power to a welding torch based on one or more input power characteristics. The input power characteristics may correspond to received input power characteristics values during a welding procedure. The input power characteristics are responsive to the power demanded during the welding operation and may change accordingly. To maintain an accounting of the input power characteristics and their values as they change during the welding operation, control circuitry may receive information regarding the input characteristics, analyze the information, and/or generate presentable indicators for display on one or more graphical interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Craig Knoener, Joseph C. Schneider
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Patent number: 11645936Abstract: Systems for simulating joining operations, such as welding, are disclosed. In some examples, a system may use a mobile device for conducting welding simulations, such as for purposes of training. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, use modular workpieces. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, conduct the welding simulation based on one or more selected pieces of welding equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc., Seabery North America, Inc.Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Mitchell James Muske, Justin Monroe Blount, Joseph C. Schneider, Victor López Márquez, Juan Jose Chica Barrera, Pedro Gerardo Marquinez Torrecilla, Javier Castilla Gutiérrez
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Patent number: 11596815Abstract: Provided is a powered air blower unit for delivering air flow to a user with constant air flow or varying speeds of air flow. The air blower unit may also include a filter for purifying the air.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Nishank R. Patel, Eric Sommers, Joseph C. Schneider
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Publication number: 20230066872Abstract: Described herein are examples of weld training systems that show (e.g., transparent and/or translucent) “ghost” images of a welding tool on a display screen of a welding headgear to indicate target positions and/or target orientations of an actual welding tool. In some examples, the weld training systems may additionally “reset” the target tool image to a position closer to the actual welding tool if the target tool image gets too far away. The ability to “reset” the target tool image to a position closer to the actual welding tool may help in minimizing a risk that an operator 106 will overcompensate to try to catch up with the target tool image, which can be detrimental to the weld. Additionally, resetting the target tool image to a position closer the welding tool may allow an operator to better perceive and/or understand differences in orientation and/or other technique parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Mitchell James Muske, Joseph C. Schneider
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Weld Training Simulations using Desktop Devices, Modular Workpieces, and Simulated Welding Equipment
Publication number: 20230001501Abstract: Systems for simulating joining operations, such as welding, are disclosed. In some examples, a system may use a desktop device for conducting welding simulations, such as for purposes of training. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, use modular workpieces. In some examples, the system may additionally, or alternatively, conduct the welding simulation based on one or more selected pieces of welding equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2020Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: William Joshua BECKER, Mitchell James MUSKE, Justin Monroe BLOUNT, Joseph C. SCHNEIDER, Víctor LÓPEZ MÁRQUEZ, Juan José CHICA BARRERA, Pedro MARQUÍNEZ, Javier CASTILLA GUTIÉRREZ -
Publication number: 20220379477Abstract: An example robotic welding system, includes: a robotic manipulator configured to manipulate a welding torch; and a robotic controller, comprising: a processor; and a machine readable storage medium comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in response to initiation of a robotic welding procedure involving the robotic manipulator: prior to starting the robotic welding procedure, output at least one of a visual notification or an audible notification proximate to the robotic manipulator; and after satisfying at least one weld-ready condition, control the robotic manipulator to perform the robotic welding procedure using the welding torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Joseph C. Schneider, Kevin Pagano
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Patent number: 11491573Abstract: A portable advanced process module system includes, for example, a welding power source, an portable advanced process module, and a wire feeder. The portable advanced process module and the wire feeder are separately enclosed in suitcase style enclosures with disconnectable power and communication means between the portable advanced process module and the wire feeder. The processing unit includes power electronics to enable advanced weld processes that can be delivered to the wire feeder and a welding work piece. The portable advanced process module is powered by a DC bus that can be supplied by a welding power source. Connecting the portable advanced process module between the welding power source and the wire feeder enables advanced welding processes to be accomplished at great distances from the main welding power source.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Nathan G. Leiteritz, Joseph C. Schneider