Patents by Inventor Michael G. Diedrick

Michael G. Diedrick 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: 9981334
    Abstract: An integrated welding system is described that includes an engine-driven power supply, control circuitry for regulating power from the power supply and for delivering power suitable for welding, and a wire feeder driven by the generated power for delivering a continuous feed of wire electrode. The system is suitable for MIG and flux core welding applications, and may further include an optional gas supply for a shielding gas. Other power is available in the system, such as for running conventional 120V and 240V power tools, lights and so forth. The unit may also be operated from an external power source, typically the power grid. The unit may be designed to permit selective operation in accordance with constant voltage and constant current regimes for MIG, TIG and stick welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Diedrick, Adam P. Laabs, Gregory C. Baeten, Mark E. Peters
  • Patent number: 9156104
    Abstract: A welding system is provided that includes a wearable wire feeder. The wearable wire feeder includes a control unit configured to generate a control signal and a wire drive responsive to the control signal. Another welding system is provided that includes a wearable wire feeder that includes a wire drive, a circuit configured to control a welding parameter, and a battery coupled to the circuit, the wire drive, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, a welding system is provided that includes a wire drive, a control unit configured to control the wire drive and a gas control configured to control flow of a gas. A method is also provided that includes generating a control signal within a wearable wire feeder and driving a welding wire within the wearable wire feeder in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Diedrick, Gregory C. Baeten
  • Patent number: 8476555
    Abstract: A welding system is provided that includes a wearable wire feeder having a wire drive motor that is responsive to a control signal received directly from a power unit. Another welding system is provided that includes a wearable wire feeder that is configured to couple to a constant voltage power unit and does not include a voltage sensor. Another welding system is provided that includes a power unit, a wearable wire feeder separate from the power unit, a cable extending directly from the power unit to the wearable wire feeder and a welding torch coupled to and separate from the wire feeder. A method is provided that includes receiving a control signal from a power unit at a wearable wire feeder and driving a welding wire from the wearable wire feeder to a welding torch in response to the control signal, wherein the wearable wire feeder is separate from the torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Diedrick, Gregory C. Baeten
  • Publication number: 20100051595
    Abstract: A welding system is provided that includes a wearable wire feeder. The wearable wire feeder includes a control unit configured to generate a control signal and a wire drive responsive to the control signal. Another welding system is provided that includes a wearable wire feeder that includes a wire drive, a circuit configured to control a welding parameter, and a battery coupled to the circuit, the wire drive, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, a welding system is provided that includes a wire drive, a control unit configured to control the wire drive and a gas control configured to control flow of a gas. A method is also provided that includes generating a control signal within a wearable wire feeder and driving a welding wire within the wearable wire feeder in response to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Diedrick, Gregory C. Baeten
  • Publication number: 20100051596
    Abstract: A welding system is provided that includes a wearable wire feeder having a wire drive motor that is responsive to a control signal received directly from a power unit. Another welding system is provided that includes a wearable wire feeder that is configured to couple to a constant voltage power unit and does not include a voltage sensor. Another welding system is provided that includes a power unit, a wearable wire feeder separate from the power unit, a cable extending directly from the power unit to the wearable wire feeder and a welding torch coupled to and separate from the wire feeder. A method is provided that includes receiving a control signal from a power unit at a wearable wire feeder and driving a welding wire from the wearable wire feeder to a welding torch in response to the control signal, wherein the wearable wire feeder is separate from the torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Diedrick, Gregory C. Baeten
  • Publication number: 20080073330
    Abstract: An integrated welding system is described that includes an engine-driven power supply, control circuitry for regulating power from the power supply and for delivering power suitable for welding, and a wire feeder driven by the generated power for delivering a continuous feed of wire electrode. The system is suitable for MIG and flux core welding applications, and may further include an optional gas supply for a shielding gas. Other power is available in the system, such as for running conventional 120V and 240V power tools, lights and so forth. The unit may also be operated from an external power source, typically the power grid. The unit may be designed to permit selective operation in accordance with constant voltage and constant current regimes for MIG, TIG and stick welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael G. Diedrick, Adam P. Laabs, Gregory C. Baeten, Mark E. Peters