Patents by Inventor Mark Nicewonger

Mark Nicewonger 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: 11759882
    Abstract: A system and method apparatus for purging liquid coolant from liquid coolant lines providing cooling to welding electrodes in a welding apparatus. The system provides a purging fluid of air at a pressure higher than a pressure of the liquid coolant to be purged. High-pressure air is generated by a centralized compressor and distribution system, a local electric pump, or existing robotic arm movements applied to pump bellows mounted thereon. A variety of placements, tie-ins, and hardware for fluid purging line(s) and its valve(s), for coolant supply(ies) and its valve(s), for coolant return(s) and its valve(s), and for liquid coolant line(s) and its valve(s) allow individual liquid coolant lines to be purged independently, with trade-offs of speed to purge, thoroughness of purge, amount of liquid coolant needed to be purged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: PROTEUS INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Patent number: 11752568
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Patent number: 11516939
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for stopping a flow of a liquid coolant into, and drawing away a residual portion of the liquid, a portion of a cooling system, e.g., for resistance welding electrodes. The disclosed system does not require more than a single actuator, and in one case uses only a single actuator, coupled to both i) one or more liquid shutoff valves and ii) one or more liquid drawback apparatus. The liquid drawback apparatus draws on the liquid at approximately a same time that the one or more liquid shutoff valves shut off the flow of the liquid from the coolant supply. The liquid drawback apparatus includes a non-return check valve, disposed in the fluid passageway and biased against a normal flow of the liquid from the coolant supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: PROTEUS INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Patent number: 11213911
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Patent number: 11173566
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Publication number: 20200391319
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Patent number: 10717148
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Publication number: 20200171596
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Patent number: 10307857
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Publication number: 20180333799
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Publication number: 20180318956
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Patent number: 10022815
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Publication number: 20170203382
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Publication number: 20160067816
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: PROTEUS INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger
  • Publication number: 20160067815
    Abstract: A first electrode coolant path is configured to cool a first welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from a supply path through the first electrode coolant path to a return path. A second electrode coolant path is configured to cool a second welding electrode by liquid coolant flowing from the supply path through the second electrode coolant path to the return path. Three or more valves are configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant flow through the first or second electrode coolant path and configured to stop or reduce liquid coolant backflow from the return path when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached. At least one valve is coupled in the first or second electrode coolant path. A drawback apparatus generates a suction force to draw liquid coolant away from a gap formed when the first or second welding electrode is at least partially detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Proteus Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Nicewonger