Patents by Inventor Kyle Andrew Pfeifer

Kyle Andrew Pfeifer 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: 12208475
    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: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Todd Earl Holverson, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20240041270
    Abstract: An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing for holding a new roll and a previously installed roll of sheet product. The dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism defining a nip and operable to dispense sheet product from either roll for retrieval by the user. A loading device of the dispenser is configured to receive a leading end of a new roll of sheet product being installed into the housing. The loading device can transition between three positions. In a receiving position, the loading device receives the leading end. In a nip loading position, the loading device causes the leading end to enter the nip to cause the dispensing mechanism to begin dispensing from the new roll. In a holding position, the loading device holds the leading end away from the nip to prevent dispensing from the new roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy Andrew Robertson, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Antonio Michael Cittadino
  • Publication number: 20230284841
    Abstract: Dual roll sheet product dispensers of a compact design are provided herein. A sheet product dispenser comprises a first roll holder for a first product roll and a second roll holder for a second product roll. A housing includes a base portion and a cover that is movable relative to the base portion to define an open position and a closed position. A chassis is mounted between the first roll holder and the second roll holder and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The chassis is movable to the extended position when the cover is in the open position. The chassis includes a first dispensing mechanism and a second dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: John Patrick Laitala, Jeremy John Wittig, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Russell William Diamond, Aaron Lee Sinclair, Ted Allen Casper, Brian Scott Borke, Ryan Joseph Schuh
  • Publication number: 20230191522
    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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 11612949
    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: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Todd Earl Holverson, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 11590596
    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: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 11478883
    Abstract: A welding system monitors the changes in the power output provided from a power supply to a device to determine the inductance of power cables between the power supply and the device. The device may determine the inductance of the power cables based at least in part on a delay in a threshold change in voltage to the device after a change in the current demand of the device, a delay in the initialization of the change in the current demand of the device after an initialization signal, a rate of change of the current drawn by the device, or a relative comparison of the voltage to the device and the current drawn by the device, or any combination thereof. If the inductance of the power cables is greater than a threshold inductance, the device may signal the user, disable operation of the device, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Anthony Van Bergen Salsich, Gregg Donald Prochnow, Jeremy Daniel Overesch
  • Patent number: 11395566
    Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Brian Scott Borke, Ted Allen Casper, Jacob Charles Dahl, R. Mitchel Edwards, John William Grosz, Jr., Alan Joseph Johnson, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Tammy Lynn Miller, David Warren Murphy, Mark Edwin Peters, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ryan Joseph Schuh, Aaron Lee Sinclair, Robert Paul Stuedemann, Kevin Michael Swanson, Karl Daniel Kissinger
  • Patent number: 11061379
    Abstract: A main controller may be used to provide integrated, centralized, and optimized handling of telematics data in welding arrangements. The main controller may receive from other components of a welding arrangement, telematics data, and may apply at least some processing to the telematics data, to enable use of the telematics data by a remote entity. The telematics data may comprises data relating to an engine used in driving one or more components of the welding arrangement, data relating to one or more components of the welding arrangement, and/or data relating to welding operations performed via the welding arrangement. The processing of telematics data may comprise formatting data in accordance with a single standard format, digitizing analog data, and/or processing data for communication to the remote entity. The main controller may provide telematics client and/or host node functions, such as based on the controller area network (CANBus) protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Joe Gitter, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ben Froland
  • Publication number: 20210016382
    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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Todd Earl Holverson, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20200361014
    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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20200094356
    Abstract: A welding system monitors the changes in the power output provided from a power supply to a device to determine the inductance of power cables between the power supply and the device. The device may determine the inductance of the power cables based at least in part on a delay in a threshold change in voltage to the device after a change in the current demand of the device, a delay in the initialization of the change in the current demand of the device after an initialization signal, a rate of change of the current drawn by the device, or a relative comparison of the voltage to the device and the current drawn by the device, or any combination thereof. If the inductance of the power cables is greater than a threshold inductance, the device may signal the user, disable operation of the device, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Anthony Van Bergen Salsich, Gregg Donald Prochnow, Jeremy Daniel Overesch
  • Patent number: 10596650
    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: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: 10486270
    Abstract: A welding system monitors the changes in the power output provided from a power supply to a device to determine the inductance of power cables between the power supply and the device. The device may determine the inductance of the power cables based at least in part on a delay in a threshold change in voltage to the device after a change in the current demand of the device, a delay in the initialization of the change in the current demand of the device after an initialization signal, a rate of change of the current drawn by the device, or a relative comparison of the voltage to the device and the current drawn by the device, or any combination thereof. If the inductance of the power cables is greater than a threshold inductance, the device may signal the user, disable operation of the device, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Anthony Van Bergen Salsich, Gregg Donald Prochnow, Jeremy Daniel Overesch
  • Publication number: 20190227519
    Abstract: A main controller may be used to provide integrated, centralized, and optimized handling of telematics data in welding arrangements. The main controller may receive from other components of a welding arrangement, telematics data, and may apply at least some processing to the telematics data, to enable use of the telematics data by a remote entity. The telematics data may comprises data relating to an engine used in driving one or more components of the welding arrangement, data relating to one or more components of the welding arrangement, and/or data relating to welding operations performed via the welding arrangement. The processing of telematics data may comprise formatting data in accordance with a single standard format, digitizing analog data, and/or processing data for communication to the remote entity. The main controller may provide telematics client and/or host node functions, such as based on the controller area network (CANBus) protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Joe Gitter, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ben Froland
  • Patent number: 10248105
    Abstract: A main controller may be used to provide integrated, centralized, and optimized handling of telematics data in welding arrangements. The main controller may receive from other components of a welding arrangement, telematics data, and may apply at least some processing to the telematics data, to enable use of the telematics data by a remote entity. The telematics data may comprises data relating to an engine used in driving one or more components of the welding arrangement, data relating to one or more components of the welding arrangement, and/or data relating to welding operations performed via the welding arrangement. The processing of telematics data may comprise formatting data in accordance with a single standard format, digitizing analog data, and/or processing data for communication to the remote entity. The main controller may provide telematics client and/or host node functions, such as based on the controller area network (CANBus) protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Joe Gitter, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ben Froland
  • Publication number: 20170290471
    Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Scott Borke, Ted Allen Casper, Jacob Charles Dahl, R. Mitchel Edwards, John William Grosz, Jr., Alan Joseph Johnson, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Tammy Lynn Miller, David Warren Murphy, Mark Edwin Peters, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ryan Joseph Schuh, Aaron Lee Sinclair, Robert Paul Stuedemann, Kevin Michael Swanson
  • Publication number: 20170095873
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Todd Earl Holverson, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Publication number: 20170080509
    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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, William Todd Watson, Richard Martin Hutchison, William Joshua Becker
  • Patent number: D1019188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Nicholas August Vitucci