Patents by Inventor Stephen Ferkel

Stephen Ferkel 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).

  • TORCH CONNECTION DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20050205542
    Abstract: A cooling system is disclosed that is designed to inhibit coolant flow to a welding-type component if connection of the welding-type component to a coolant outlet is not deemed present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Albert DeCoster, Stephen Ferkel
  • Controlled output for welding
    Patent number: 6809293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. It includes a source of power and a controller. An output feedback circuit provides feedback to the controller. The controller includes a comparator that compares the fedback signal to a threshold and/or detects a short on the output. A standby/welding control is responsive to the comparator. Also, an arc end control may be provided that terminates the arc in response to detecting an increase in arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sammons, Stephen Ferkel, Albert DeCoster, Mark Kadlec
  • Controlled output for welding
    Publication number: 20030155338
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. It includes a source of power and a controller. An output feedback circuit provides feedback to the controller. The controller includes a comparator that compares the fedback signal to a threshold and/or detects a short on the output. A standby/welding control is responsive to the comparator. Also, an arc end control may be provided that terminates the arc in response to detecting an increase in arc length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sammons, Stephen Ferkel, Albert DeCoster, Mark Kadlec
  • Controlled output for welding
    Patent number: 6548784
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. It includes a source of power and a controller. An output feedback circuit provides feedback to the controller. The controller includes a comparator that compares the fedback signal to a threshold and/or detects a short on the output. A standby/welding control is responsive to the comparator. Also, an arc end control may be provided that terminates the arc in response to detecting an increase in arc length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sammons, Stephen Ferkel, Albert DeCoster, Mark Kadlec
  • Controlled output for welding
    Publication number: 20020144989
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. It includes a source of power and a controller. An output feedback circuit provides feedback to the controller. The controller includes a comparator that compares the fedback signal to a threshold and/or detects a short on the output. A standby/welding control is responsive to the comparator. Also, an arc end control may be provided that terminates the arc in response to detecting an increase in arc length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sammons, Stephen Ferkel, Albert DeCoster, Mark Kadlec
  • Method and apparatus for controlling a welding power supply
    Patent number: 6087628
    Abstract: A welding machine that includes a power supply having at least one control input is described. The power supply is capable of providing an electrode positive and an electrode negative output. Also, the magnitude and balance of the output is controllable. The machine includes a controller that controls the power supply. If the user selects an electrode negative output the controller causes the output to be electrode positive at at least a first magnitude for a predetermined period of time at the start of the welding process. Then, the controller causes the output to be electrode negative at a magnitude equal to or greater than a second magnitude. Thereafter, the controller causes the output to be a user selected magnitude. If the user selects an ac mode, the electrode positive portion of the output is not constantly responsive to at least one of the user selected frequency and the user selected balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Ferkel, Steven Geissler