Patents by Inventor Joshua Becker

Joshua Becker 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: 9573215
    Abstract: A weld travel speed sensing system includes at least one sound sensor configured to sense a sound generated to allow determination of a position of a welding torch. The weld travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a position of a point on the welding torch based on the sensed sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Joshua Becker, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison
  • Publication number: 20170046976
    Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, David Paul Marcusen
  • Publication number: 20170046974
    Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, David Paul Marcusen, Nicholas Jon Peterson
  • Publication number: 20170046975
    Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, David Paul Marcusen
  • Publication number: 20170046977
    Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for stick welding applications. In certain embodiments, simulation stick welding electrode holders may include stick electrode retraction assemblies configured to mechanically retract a simulation stick electrode toward the stick electrode retraction assembly to simulate consumption of the simulation stick electrode during a simulated stick welding process. In addition, in certain embodiments, stick welding electrode holders may include various input and output elements that enable, for example, control inputs to be input via the stick welding electrode holders, and operational statuses to be output via the stick welding electrode holders. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a welding training system interface may be used to facilitate communication and cooperation of various stick welding electrode holders with a welding training system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Anuj Rudresh Patel, Jeremy John Erdmann
  • Patent number: 9522437
    Abstract: A travel speed sensing system includes an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch. The optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Todd Earl Holverson, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 9511443
    Abstract: A welding system includes a first sensor associated with a welding helmet and configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of a welding torch relative to the welding helmet. The travel speed sensing system also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the first sensor and configured to determine a position of the welding torch relative to a workpiece based on the sensed first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20160288236
    Abstract: A welding system includes one or more sensors configured to detect data relating to one or more arc parameters for the welding system during a weld performed by the welding system. The welding system also includes control circuitry configured to receive the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters from the one or more sensors, time synchronize the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters with data relating to one or more welding parameters over a time period for the weld, present the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters graphically over the time period via a user-viewable screen during the weld, and present the data corresponding to the one or more welding parameters graphically over the time period via the user-viewable screen during the weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20160125761
    Abstract: A method including determining an orientation of a display of a welding torch relative to a joint of a workpiece, displaying, on the display of the welding torch during a welding operation, a graphical representation of a welding parameter in relation to a predetermined threshold range for the welding parameter as a position of the welding torch changes, the orientation of the welding torch changes, a movement of the welding torch changes, or some combination thereof, and rotating the graphical representation of the welding parameter based at least in part on the determined orientation of the display of the welding torch relative to the joint. The graphical representation of the welding parameter is associated with the position of the welding torch relative to the joint, the orientation of the welding torch relative to the joint, the movement of the welding torch relative to the joint, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber, Jeremy John Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20160125762
    Abstract: A system including a base component configured to be detected by one or more cameras of a welding system. The base component includes a thermally insulating layer coupled to the base component, a first set of three or more visual markers coupled to the thermally insulating layer on a first face of the base component, and a cover layer disposed on the thermally insulating layer on at least the first face of the base component. An exterior surface of the cover layer is less reflective of visible light or infrared light than the first set of three or more visual markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber, David Paul Marcusen
  • Publication number: 20160125764
    Abstract: A method includes calibrating a first path of a joint of a workpiece of a welding system relative to a component, determining a first set of welding parameters of a welding torch based at least in part on a tracked position and a tracked orientation of the welding torch along the first path of the joint during a first live-arc welding operation, calibrating a second path of the joint of the workpiece relative to the component, determining a second set of welding parameters of the welding torch based at least in part the tracked position and orientation of the welding torch along the second path of the joint during a second live-arc welding operation, and displaying at least one of the first and second sets of welding parameters on a display. The second path is disposed at least partially over the first path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20160125594
    Abstract: A system includes one or more sets of reflective visual markers, a light source configured to emit light, and a controller communicatively coupled to the light source. Each set of reflective visual markers is coupled to a component of a welding system. Each reflective visual marker is configured to reflect the emitted light received from the light source towards one or more cameras. The controller is configured to control illumination settings of the light source based at least in part on a status of the welding system being utilized to perform a live-arc welding operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber
  • Publication number: 20160125593
    Abstract: A welding system includes one or more cameras and a controller coupled to the one or more cameras. The one or more cameras are configured to detect a plurality of sets of visual markers of a welding device, where each each set is oriented in a respective marker direction. The controller is configured to determine one or more marker directions of one or more respective sets of visual markers based on a detected set of visual markers, to select one of the sets of visual markers as a tracked set of visual markers based at least in part on a determined marker direction of the tracked set of visual markers, to associate a rigid body model to the tracked set of visual markers, and to determine a position and an orientation of the welding device based on the associated rigid body model of the tracked set of visual markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber
  • Publication number: 20160125763
    Abstract: A method includes receiving welding data corresponding to a welding session completed with a welding system, receiving a selected location from an operator, and displaying on a display one or more quality characteristics of the welding session corresponding to the selected location. The welding data includes welding parameters and quality characteristics corresponding to a plurality of points along a path of the welding session. The welding parameters include a work angle of a welding torch, a travel angle of the welding torch, a contact tip to work distance, a travel speed of the welding torch along the path of the welding session, an aim of the welding torch, or any combination thereof. The quality characteristics include porosity, undercut, spatter, underfill, overfill, or any combination thereof. The selected location corresponds to a point of the plurality of points along the path of the welding session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20160125592
    Abstract: A system includes a welding device, one or more cameras, and a controller coupled to the one or more cameras. The welding device includes a first set of visual markers oriented in a first direction and a second set of visual markers oriented in a second direction. Each set of visual markers includes at least three visual markers. The one or more cameras are configured to observe the first set of visual markers when the first direction is directed toward the one or more cameras, and to observe the second set of visual markers when the second direction is directed toward the one or more cameras. The controller is configured to track a position and an orientation of the welding device based at least in part on detection of a threshold quantity of the first set of visual markers or the threshold quantity of the second set of visual markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Dale Weber
  • Patent number: 9271872
    Abstract: An air barrier that prevents entrainment of surrounding air from the welding environment into the welding helmet is provided. The barrier for the welding helmet contains a flexible curtain, front and rear edges, and means for securing the front edge of the curtain adjacent to the rear edge of the helmet. The flexible curtain may be made of fire-resistant and flexible molded material. The air barrier may be permanently secured to or removable from the welding helmet. The invention may be used in conjunction with a variety of ventilation and cooling systems, including small units that mount on or in welding helmets, as well as more elaborate blowing systems partially carried by the welder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Eric Sommers
  • Publication number: 20160039034
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a marking tool configured to apply one or more markers on a first surface of a workpiece for a live welding session. The one or more markers have known geometric properties that may facilitate determination of the first surface and a weld joint. An embodiment of a method includes applying a first set of one or more markers to a first surface of a workpiece, detecting the applied first set of one or more markers with a camera, and determining, via processing circuitry coupled to the camera, at least one of the first surface of the workpiece and a weld joint based at least in part on the detected first set of one or more markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kyle Andrew Pfiefer
  • Publication number: 20160039053
    Abstract: A welding system includes a first position detection system, a second position detection system independent of the first position detection system, and a controller coupled to the first and second position detection systems. The first position detection system is configured to generate a first output corresponding to a first position and a first orientation of a welding torch during a welding session for a weld. The second position detection system is configured to generate a second output corresponding to a second position and a second orientation of the welding torch during the welding session. The controller is configured to determine welding parameters during the welding session based at least in part on the first output, the second output, or any combination thereof. The welding parameters may include a work angle, a travel angle, a contact tip to work distance, a travel speed, an aim, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Richard Beeson
  • Publication number: 20150375323
    Abstract: A method of managing welding data, including receiving, via a network, welding data from a data storage system, populating, via a processor, a user viewable dashboard page with one or more user input controls, receiving a user input via the user viewable dashboard page, and populating, via the processor, the user viewable dashboard page with graphical indicia representative of one or more subsets of welding data corresponding to the received user input. The welding data includes welding parameters associated with welding sessions performed by a plurality of welding operators. The user input controls include filter criteria, a search control, or any combination thereof. Each filter criterion of the filter criteria corresponds to a respective subset of the welding data. The user input includes a selection of one or more filter criteria from a user, a search string input via the search control, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20150375327
    Abstract: A welding system including a helmet having one or more sensing devices configured to detect a position and an orientation of a welding torch relative to a workpiece during performance of a welding session, and a controller coupled to the one or more sensing devices and configured to receive arc parameters corresponding to the performance of the welding session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Richard Beeson