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).

  • Publication number: 20170028501
    Abstract: An engine driven welder comprises an engine coupled to a generator, wherein the engine drives the generator. The engine driven welder employs a first power module coupled to the generator that provides a first weld output and a second power module coupled to the generator, which provides a second weld output. A controller employing a single processor is operatively coupled to each of the first power module and the second power module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: David Edwin Radtke, Richard Charles Joyce, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Alan Frederic Smith
  • 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: 20160274568
    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: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Joe Gitter, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ben Froland
  • Publication number: 20150283652
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Anthony Van Bergen Salsich, Gregg Donald Prochnow, Jeremy Daniel Overesch
  • Patent number: 8316462
    Abstract: A system enables transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time audio cues. Weld characteristics are communicated via audio signals, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. Audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones, are used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20110248864
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time visual and/or audio cues are provided. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to weld characteristic communication via intuitive arrays of visual indicators located on the periphery of a lens, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. In one embodiment, audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones may be used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator. In certain embodiments, vertical visual indicator arrays may be used to indicate additional weld or auxiliary information, such as battery charge state, torch speed and so forth, to the welding operator. All the components of the communication system may be located in or on the welding helmet or the components may be split between the helmet and a belt pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7962967
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time visual and/or audio cues are provided. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to weld characteristic communication via intuitive arrays of visual indicators located on the periphery of a lens, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. In one embodiment, audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones may be used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator. In certain embodiments, vertical visual indicator arrays may be used to indicate additional weld or auxiliary information, such as battery charge state, torch speed and so forth, to the welding operator. All the components of the communication system may be located in or on the welding helmet or the components may be split between the helmet and a belt pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20100223706
    Abstract: A system for welding communication that includes a welding headgear and a bone conduction transducer (BCT) disposed in or on the welding headgear is provided. The BCT facilitates communication of signals to a welding operator via bone conduction. The bone conduction facilitates the transmission of sound directly to an inner ear of the welding operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20090276930
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time visual and/or audio cues are provided. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to weld characteristic communication via intuitive arrays of visual indicators located on the periphery of a lens, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. In one embodiment, audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones may be used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator. In certain embodiments, vertical visual indicator arrays may be used to indicate additional weld or auxiliary information, such as battery charge state, torch speed and so forth, to the welding operator. All the components of the communication system may be located in or on the welding helmet or the components may be split between the helmet and a belt pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William Joshua Becker, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer