Patents by Inventor Richard A. Stear

Richard A. Stear 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).

  • Arc welding method and apparatus with power cable fatigue monitor
    Patent number: 5911893
    Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a welding torch and a workpiece support. The welding apparatus also includes a circuit for creating a first voltage drop between the welding torch and the workpiece support so as to generate heat which melts a quantity of weld wire, the creating circuit having a power supply. The apparatus system further includes a power cable which is electrically interposed between the power supply and the welding torch. Additionally, the welding apparatus includes a circuit for measuring a second voltage drop across the power cable at the same time the first voltage drop is being created by the creating circuit. A method of operating a welding system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Kilty, Richard A. Stear