Patents by Inventor Robert J. Centner

Robert J. Centner 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: 12296410
    Abstract: An example wire liner retention apparatus includes: a body comprising a bore extending longitudinally through the body, the bore configured to permit passage of a welding wire liner through the bore; a clamp configured to apply a compressive force to the welding wire liner in a radial direction within the bore to limit movement of the welding wire liner with respect to the body; and a compression adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the compressive force applied by the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20250001531
    Abstract: Disclosed example welding fume collection apparatus include: a wearable article; a fume inlet attached to the wearable article; and a fume duct configured to couple the fume inlet to a suction source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20240367260
    Abstract: Systems and methods for laser welding are disclosed. A laser welding system includes a hand held laser welding tool to direct laser power to a workpiece to generate a weld during a laser welding operation. The welding system includes a controller to regulate activation and regulation of the laser power based on user inputs, sensor inputs, and/or synergic control of a laser power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Shuang Liu, Todd Earl Holverson, Charles Ace Tyler, Richard Martin Hutchison, Andrew Marchand, Robert J. Centner, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20240367264
    Abstract: Systems and methods for laser welding are disclosed. A laser welding system includes a hand held laser welding tool to direct laser power to a workpiece to generate a weld during a laser welding operation. The welding system includes a controller to regulate activation and regulation of the laser power based on user inputs, sensor inputs, and/or synergic control of a laser power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Shuang Liu, Todd Earl Holverson, Charles Ace Tyler, Richard Martin Hutchison, Andrew Marchand, Robert J. Centner, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230166346
    Abstract: An example welding torch neck adapter includes: an electrically conductive body configured to detachably attach to a handle assembly of a consumable electrode-fed welding torch on a first portion of the conductive body and configured to detachably attach to a neck of the welding torch on a second portion of the conductive body to secure the neck to the handle assembly; and a guide tube positioned within the conductive body and configured to support a first consumable wire liner in alignment with a liner lock of a second consumable wire liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Bennett, II, Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20220161371
    Abstract: An example wire liner retention apparatus includes: a body comprising a bore extending longitudinally through the body, the bore configured to permit passage of a welding wire liner through the bore; a clamp configured to apply a compressive force to the welding wire liner in a radial direction within the bore to limit movement of the welding wire liner with respect to the body; and a compression adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the compressive force applied by the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 11305371
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 11268693
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 11192202
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20210069817
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10882133
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10710189
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20190240766
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20190242573
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20180214972
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180214973
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20170239746
    Abstract: Reversible contact tips and welding assemblies for reversible contact tips are disclosed. An example welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an inner bore of the welding contact tip, a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion, wherein the threaded middle portion comprises external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch, and a second axial end portion adjacent the threaded middle portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20140312023
    Abstract: A welding gun neck for a welding gun includes an elongated tubular body having an end connectable to a gas diffuser. The elongated tubular body includes a threaded external surface adjacent the end. The threaded external surface defines a male, threaded portion. The male, threaded portion is mateable with a female thread of the gas diffuser. The threaded external surface includes a straight portion and an adjoining tapered portion. The welding gun neck is connectable to both a gas diffuser having a straight female thread and a gas diffuser having a tapered female thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Centner, Duane S. Snapp, Robert L. Warning
  • Publication number: 20140110386
    Abstract: A compressible end-fitting for a welding gun liner includes a tubular body. A head is disposed at an end of the tubular body. The head is wider in diameter than the tubular body. A sleeve is disposed around the end portion of the tubular body that includes the head. The sleeve includes a stepped inner surface defining a shoulder. At least one biasing member is disposed between the head and the shoulder. The biasing member(s) urges the head outwardly away from the sleeve. An annular stop on an outer surface of the tubular body is contactable with an edge of the sleeve to limit movement of the head relative to the sleeve. The head is linearly retractable from a resting position into the sleeve by application of an axial force, and the biasing member(s) returns the head to the resting position when the axial force is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 8686317
    Abstract: A removable cooling collar is provided for cooling the nozzle of a welding nozzle. This collar includes first and second parts in fluid communication with a chamber that extends circumferentially within a hollow structure. Cooling fluid circulating through the chamber facilitates dissipation and/or extraction of heat in the nozzle, in turn reducing the likelihood of weld splatter adhesion on the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner