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).

  • Publication number: 20230294194
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Craig Knoener, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230290271
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Mitchell James Muske, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11745286
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Schneider, Michael D. Madsen, Bernard J. Vogel, Andrew J. Henry
  • Publication number: 20230266024
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph C. Schneider, Kevin Pagano, Mitchell James Muske
  • Patent number: 11730629
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11699359
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Mitchell James Muske, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230181940
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Nishank R. Patel, Eric Sommers, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11670191
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11660698
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Knoener, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11645936
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: 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
  • Patent number: 11596815
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Nishank R. Patel, Eric Sommers, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230066872
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Mitchell James Muske, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230001501
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: 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: 20220379477
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Joseph C. Schneider, Kevin Pagano
  • Patent number: 11491573
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan G. Leiteritz, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20220314355
    Abstract: An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type output power; auxiliary power output circuitry configured to output auxiliary power via an auxiliary power connection; communications circuitry configured to communicate via the auxiliary power connection; and processor(s) configured to: detect, via the communications circuitry, that a robot control system is coupled to the auxiliary power connection; and in response to detecting the robot control system, configuring the welding-type power supply based on receiving a communication from the robot control system via the communications circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph C. Schneider, Steven B. Massey, JR.
  • Patent number: 11433471
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20220274761
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a positive-pressure-sealed container that encapsulates a welding consumable in order to limit exposure of the welding consumable to an outer environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20220258086
    Abstract: The disclosed filter and/or debris disposal system is configured to easily dispose of filter elements, filter media, and/or debris with minimal resources, and/or effort. In some examples, a flexible container is employed to enclose a used filter element prior to removal of the filter from the extractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Mitchell James Muske, Allan T. Hilbert, Jeremy Bruesewitz, William Gardner, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20220258092
    Abstract: An extraction system is designed for metal working and other applications. The system employs a pneumatic filter cleaning device with a pneumatically driven extension guide arranged within a chamber. The guide is coupled to a first end of an extension member, which has a nozzle secured to a second end. Pressurized air provided to the nozzle through the extension member increases until a pressure at the nozzle reaches a threshold pressure level. Once the threshold pressure level is achieved, the nozzle releases a pulse or burst of air directed to a filter medium. The force from the pulsed air dislodges airborne components from the filter media, resulting in a cleaned filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Mitchell James Muske, Allan T. Hilbert, Jeremy Bruesewitz, William Gardner, Joseph C. Schneider