Patents by Inventor Michael Todd Klegin
Michael Todd Klegin 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).
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Patent number: 11285559Abstract: A welding system and method provide for generating a controlled waveform for welding power output, the waveform comprising a plurality of successive peak phases designed to avoid or reduce micro-arcing when used with metal-cored or flux-cored electrode wires. Ratios of the background current and voltage levels are elevated as compared to conventional techniques, with the levels in most cases exceeding 50% of the peak currents and voltages. Transitions between background and peak levels of current and voltage are also smoothed, and the duration of the peak phase as compared to the duration of each pulse cycle is elongated to further reduce micro-arcing.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Michael Todd Klegin, Caleb Haven
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Patent number: 10384294Abstract: A method and device for controlling current flow through a welding clamp are provided. One welding clamp includes a first contact piece configured to contact a workpiece and to provide a first current path that limits current flow. The welding clamp also includes a second contact piece configured to contact the workpiece and to provide a second current path. When the welding clamp is being clamped to the workpiece, the first contact piece is configured to contact the workpiece prior to the second contact piece. In addition, the welding clamp is configured so that current flows through the first current path prior to flowing through the second current path when the welding clamp is being clamped to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Christopher, Thomas Don Lahti, Jeffery Ray Ihde, Gary A. Thyssen, Michael Todd Klegin, Timothy Jay Reitmeyer
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Patent number: 10252367Abstract: A method and system to determine optimum operating parameters for the startup phase of a welding-type process based on user-desired operating parameters of the post-startup or welding phase of the welding-type process are disclosed. While applicable to a number of welding-type processes, the method and system are particularly configured to determine an optimum wire feed speed for Gas Metal Arc Welding of aluminum using pulse spray transfer.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Kaufman, Michael Todd Klegin, Chris J. Roehl
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Publication number: 20170182581Abstract: A method and system to determine optimum operating parameters for the startup phase of a welding-type process based on user-desired operating parameters of the post-startup or welding phase of the welding-type process are disclosed. While applicable to a number of welding-type processes, the method and system are particularly configured to determine an optimum wire feed speed for Gas Metal Arc Welding of aluminum using pulse spray transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2017Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Charles L. Kaufman, Michael Todd Klegin, Chris J. Roehl
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Publication number: 20170151621Abstract: A welding system and method provide for generating a controlled waveform for welding power output, the waveform comprising a plurality of successive peak phases designed to avoid or reduce micro-arcing when used with metal-cored or flux-cored electrode wires. Ratios of the background current and voltage levels are elevated as compared to conventional techniques, with the levels in most cases exceeding 50% of the peak currents and voltages. Transitions between background and peak levels of current and voltage are also smoothed, and the duration of the peak phase as compared to the duration of each pulse cycle is elongated to further reduce micro-arcing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: June 1, 2017Inventors: Michael Todd Klegin, Caleb Haven
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Patent number: 9604303Abstract: A method and system to determine optimum operating parameters for the startup phase of a welding-type process based on user-desired operating parameters of the post-startup or welding phase of the welding-type process are disclosed. While applicable to a number of welding-type processes, the method and system are particularly configured to determine an optimum wire feed speed for Gas Metal Arc Welding of aluminum using pulse spray transfer.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Charles L. Kaufman, Michael Todd Klegin, Chris J. Roehl
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Patent number: 9000329Abstract: A system and method for stabilizing a welding arc is disclosed. The method of initiating the arc includes the steps of defining a wire feed speed based on a user selected wire feed speed and then abruptly reducing the wire feed speed before the wire feed speed reaches a relatively stabilized speed for welding, thereby allowing a welding arc to initiate and propagate to a generally steady state.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James Lee Uecker, Robert Raimund Davidson, Charles Lyle Kaufman, Michael Todd Klegin
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Publication number: 20140175075Abstract: A method and system to determine optimum operating parameters for the startup phase of a welding-type process based on user-desired operating parameters of the post-startup or welding phase of the welding-type process are disclosed. While applicable to a number of welding-type processes, the method and system are particularly configured to determine an optimum wire feed speed for Gas Metal Arc Welding of aluminum using pulse spray transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Charles L. Kaufman, Michael Todd Klegin, Chris J. Roehl
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Publication number: 20130168374Abstract: A method and device for controlling current flow through a welding clamp are provided. One welding clamp includes a first contact piece configured to contact a workpiece and to provide a first current path that limits current flow. The welding clamp also includes a second contact piece configured to contact the workpiece and to provide a second current path. When the welding clamp is being clamped to the workpiece, the first contact piece is configured to contact the workpiece prior to the second contact piece. In addition, the welding clamp is configured so that current flows through the first current path prior to flowing through the second current path when the welding clamp is being clamped to the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Christopher, Thomas Don Lahti, Jeffery Ray Ihde, Gary A. Thyssen, Michael Todd Klegin, Timothy Jay Reitmeyer
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Publication number: 20110204013Abstract: An external support structure for a welding power supply includes a cage-like assembly that is configured to receive and at least partially surround the welding power supply. The cage-like assembly includes fastening points allowing for securement of the welding power supply within the assembly. The assembly further includes stacking members to permit stacking of the assembly with a self-similar structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: Illinois Tools Works Inc.Inventors: Thomas Don Lahti, Jeffery Ray Ihde, Gary A. Thyssen, Michael Todd Klegin, Joseph Edward Feldhausen, James Francis Rappl, Lindsay Lee Konop
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Publication number: 20110114613Abstract: Embodiments of a welding system include a compact wire feeder adapted to feed welding wire having a diameter up to approximately 5/64 inches disposed on a wire spool having an outer diameter of approximately 8 inches. The compact wire feeder may include a housing, a spool mounting hub disposed in the housing and adapted to receive the wire spool, and a wire drive assembly having a motor adapted to apply an output torque to a shaft of a gearbox to drive the welding wire from the welding spool to a welding torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Jeffery Ray Ihde, Joesph Kyle Fink, Thomas Don Lahti, James Lee Uecker, Richard Martin Hutchison, Michael Todd Klegin, Gary Allen Thyssen
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Publication number: 20080142493Abstract: A system and method for stabilizing a welding arc is disclosed. The method of initiating the arc includes the steps of defining a wire feed speed based on a user selected wire feed speed and then abruptly reducing the wire feed speed before the wire feed speed reaches a relatively stabilized speed for welding, thereby allowing a welding arc to initiate and propagate to a generally steady state.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: James Lee Uecker, Robert Raimund Davidson, Charles Lyle Kaufman, Michael Todd Klegin
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Patent number: 7339135Abstract: A system and method for stabilizing a welding arc is disclosed. The method of initiating the arc includes the steps of defining a wire feed speed based on a user selected wire feed speed and then abruptly reducing the wire feed speed before the wire feed speed reaches a relatively stabilized speed for welding, thereby allowing a welding arc to initiate and propagate to a generally steady state.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James Lee Uecker, Robert Raimund Davidson, Charles Lyle Kaufman, Michael Todd Klegin