Patents by Inventor Maxwell Brock

Maxwell Brock 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: 12240063
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example weld circuit communications device includes a receiver circuit, a processor, and a local communications adapter. The receiver circuit to receive a communication via a weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit, the communication including weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from a power supply and remote from the weld circuit communications device while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The processor generates power supply control information based on the weld voltage feedback information. The local communications adapter transmits the power supply control information to control welding-type power output by a power converter to regulate a weld voltage to a weld voltage setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mehn, Christopher Hsu, Maxwell Brock, Quinn William Schartner
  • Patent number: 12194577
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a consistent electrode state for welding, an example welding-type system includes: a first wire drive to feed an electrode wire through a welding torch; a bidirectional assisting wire drive to advance the electrode wire from a wire supply to the first wire drive; a tension-compression detector to detect a first tension-compression state of the electrode wire; and one or more motor controllers to control the first wire drive and the assisting wire drive to put the electrode wire in a predetermined position relative to the welding torch by: controlling the first wire drive to hold the electrode wire; and controlling the assisting wire drive to advance or retract the electrode wire based on the first tension-compression state to put the electrode wire in a second tension-compression state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Maxwell Brock, Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler, Peter Mehn
  • Publication number: 20230364698
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example weld circuit communications device includes a receiver circuit, a processor, and a local communications adapter. The receiver circuit to receive a communication via a weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit, the communication including weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from a power supply and remote from the weld circuit communications device while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The processor generates power supply control information based on the weld voltage feedback information. The local communications adapter transmits the power supply control information to control welding-type power output by a power converter to regulate a weld voltage to a weld voltage setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Mehn, Christopher Hsu, Maxwell Brock, Quinn William Schartner
  • Patent number: 11565337
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example weld circuit communications device includes a receiver circuit, a processor, and a local communications adapter. The receiver circuit to receive a communication via a weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit, the communication including weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from a power supply and remote from the weld circuit communications device while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The processor generates power supply control information based on the weld voltage feedback information. The local communications adapter transmits the power supply control information to control welding-type power output by a power converter to regulate a weld voltage to a weld voltage setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mehn, Christopher Hsu, Maxwell Brock, Quinn William Schartner
  • Publication number: 20210252626
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a consistent electrode state for welding. an example welding-type system includes: a first wire drive to feed an electrode wire through a welding torch; a bidirectional assisting wire drive to advance the electrode wire from a wire supply to the first wire drive; a tension-compression detector to detect a first tension-compression state of the electrode wire; and one or more motor controllers to control the first wire drive and the assisting wire drive to put the electrode wire in a predetermined position relative to the welding torch by: controlling the first wire drive to hold the electrode wire; and controlling the assisting wire drive to advance or retract the electrode wire based on the first tension-compression state to put the electrode wire in a second tension-compression state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Maxwell Brock, Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler, Peter Mehn
  • Patent number: 10906120
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a consistent electrode state for welding, an example welding-type system includes: a first wire drive to feed an electrode wire through a welding torch; a bidirectional assisting wire drive to advance the electrode wire from a wire supply to the first wire drive; a tension-compression detector to detect a first tension-compression state of the electrode wire; and one or more motor controllers to control the first wire drive and the assisting wire drive to put the electrode wire in a predetermined position relative to the welding torch by: controlling the first wire drive to hold the electrode wire; and controlling the assisting wire drive to advance or retract the electrode wire based on the first tension-compression state to put the electrode wire in a second tension-compression state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Maxwell Brock, Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler, Peter Mehn
  • Patent number: 10773331
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a receiver circuit, and a controller. The power converter converts input power to welding-type power based on a weld voltage setpoint and to output the welding-type power via a weld circuit. The receiver circuit receives a communication via the weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit. The communication includes weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from the power supply while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The controller controls the welding-type power output by the power converter according to a voltage feedback loop using the weld voltage feedback information to regulate a weld voltage at the remote device to the weld voltage setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mehn, Christopher Hsu, Maxwell Brock, Quinn William Schartner
  • Publication number: 20200223006
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example weld circuit communications device includes a receiver circuit, a processor, and a local communications adapter. The receiver circuit to receive a communication via a weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit, the communication including weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from a power supply and remote from the weld circuit communications device while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The processor generates power supply control information based on the weld voltage feedback information. The local communications adapter transmits the power supply control information to control welding-type power output by a power converter to regulate a weld voltage to a weld voltage setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Mehn, Christopher Hsu, Maxwell Brock, Quinn William Schartner
  • Patent number: 10603735
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example weld circuit communications device includes a receiver circuit, a processor, and a local communications adapter. The receiver circuit to receive a communication via a weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit, the communication including weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from a power supply and remote from the weld circuit communications device while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The processor generates power supply control information based on the weld voltage feedback information. The local communications adapter transmits the power supply control information to control welding-type power output by a power converter to regulate a weld voltage to a weld voltage setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mehn, Christopher Hsu, Maxwell Brock, Quinn William Schartner
  • Publication number: 20180050409
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example weld circuit communications device includes a receiver circuit, a processor, and a local communications adapter. The receiver circuit to receive a communication via a weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit, the communication including weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from a power supply and remote from the weld circuit communications device while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The processor generates power supply control information based on the weld voltage feedback information. The local communications adapter transmits the power supply control information to control welding-type power output by a power converter to regulate a weld voltage to a weld voltage setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Mehn, Christopher Hsu, Maxwell Brock, Quinn William Schartner
  • Publication number: 20180050410
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicate via a weld cable are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a receiver circuit, and a controller. The power converter converts input power to welding-type power based on a weld voltage setpoint and to output the welding-type power via a weld circuit. The receiver circuit receives a communication via the weld circuit while current is flowing through the weld circuit or after the current has stopped flowing through the weld circuit. The communication includes weld voltage feedback information measured at a device remote from the power supply while the current is flowing through the weld circuit. The controller controls the welding-type power output by the power converter according to a voltage feedback loop using the weld voltage feedback information to regulate a weld voltage at the remote device to the weld voltage setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Mehn, Christopher Hsu, Maxwell Brock, Quinn William Schartner
  • Publication number: 20170355037
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a consistent electrode state for welding, an example welding-type system includes: a first wire drive to feed an electrode wire through a welding torch; a bidirectional assisting wire drive to advance the electrode wire from a wire supply to the first wire drive; a tension-compression detector to detect a first tension-compression state of the electrode wire; and one or more motor controllers to control the first wire drive and the assisting wire drive to put the electrode wire in a predetermined position relative to the welding torch by: controlling the first wire drive to hold the electrode wire; and controlling the assisting wire drive to advance or retract the electrode wire based on the first tension-compression state to put the electrode wire in a second tension-compression state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Maxwell Brock, Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler, Peter Mehn