Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Bunker
Thomas A. Bunker 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: 11077513Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a means for communicating.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKSInventors: Timothy N. Temby, James F. Rappl, Joseph E. Feldhausen, Todd E. Holverson, Michael H. Novak, Jeffery R. Ihde, Joseph C. Schneider, Bruce P. Albrecht, Thomas A. Bunker, Clay A. Byron
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Publication number: 20210086281Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding type power is disclosed. The output is cyclical, and is a controlled voltage output during the background and/or peak and a controlled current output during the transition up and/or down. During the controlled current portion the output is responsive to output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard J. Schuh, Justin M. Durik, Thomas A. Bunker
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Patent number: 10857610Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding type power is disclosed. The output is cyclical, and is a controlled voltage output during the background and/or peak and a controlled current output during the transition up and/or down. During the controlled current portion the output is responsive to output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard J. Schuh, Justin M. Durik, Thomas A. Bunker
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Patent number: 10758993Abstract: A welding-type system and method for operating a welding-type system is disclosed. The system includes a switched power delivery circuit connected to deliver power to output terminals and an open-circuit voltage (OCV) control circuit configured to adjust an operational state of the switched power delivery circuit. A controller is included that is configured to monitor the output terminals to identify an open circuit condition and selectively engage the OCV control circuit to adjust the operational state of the switched power delivery circuit to reduce a voltage of the output power delivered to the output terminals during the open circuit condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Quinn W. Schartner, Thomas A. Bunker
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Publication number: 20200242106Abstract: An electronic device displays a chart, which includes visual marks that represent calculated values derived from a set of data, and panes formed by intersection of rows and columns. A current focus is on a first visual mark at a first position. The device concurrently displays a chart-calculations-options area, which includes display options for the type of calculation and the type of data partitioning. Visual marks in a first set of visual marks are visually distinguished from other visual marks. The first set of visual marks includes the first visual mark, and corresponds to a first selected option for the type of calculation and a first selected option for the type of data partitioning. The device detects an input that selects a second option for the type of data partitioning. In response, the device visually distinguishes visual marks in a second set of visual marks in accordance with the selection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Jun KIM, Christopher Richard STOLTE, Jock Douglas MACKINLAY, Ross Thomas BUNKER, Bora BERAN, Justin TALBOT
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Patent number: 10620793Abstract: An electronic device displays a chart, which includes visual marks that represent calculated values derived from a set of data, and panes formed by intersection of rows and columns. A current focus is on a first visual mark at a first position. The device concurrently displays a chart-calculations-options area, which includes display options for a type of calculation and a type of data partitioning. Visual marks in a first set of visual marks are visually distinguished from other visual marks. The first set of visual marks includes the first visual mark, and corresponds to a first selected option for a type of calculation and a first selected option for a type of data partitioning. The device detects an input that selects a second option for a type of data partitioning, and, in response, visually distinguishes visual marks in a second set of visual marks in accordance with the selection.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Tableau Software, Inc.Inventors: Jun Kim, Christopher Richard Stolte, Jock Douglas Mackinlay, Ross Thomas Bunker, Bora Beran, Justin Talbot
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Patent number: 10464155Abstract: A method includes receiving data corresponding to a voltage level over time and a current level over time. The method also includes determining a first ratio corresponding to a voltage ramp percent or a voltage falling edge percent with respect to a peak in the voltage level and determining a second ratio corresponding to a current ramp ratio or a current falling edge ratio with respect to a peak in the current level. The method further includes determining, based on a comparison between the first ratio and the second ratio, whether to increment, decrement, or maintain an inductance compensation estimation value corresponding to an estimated inductance present in one or more secondary components associated with the welding operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Thomas A. Bunker, Richard Schuh
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Publication number: 20190314920Abstract: Welding system and method permit exchange of data with Smart Grid monitors and/or controllers. The welding systems include a welding power supply configured to convert power between the power grid and the welding power supply. A grid interface cooperates with control circuitry to transmit data to and/or from the grid monitors and/or controllers on the grid side. The control circuitry may control operation of the welding power supply based upon data from the grid. The system may include power generation devices (e.g., engine-drive generators) and energy storage devices (e.g., batteries), The control circuitry may control operation of such devices, the exchange of power between them, and the draw of power from the grid or the application of power to the grid based upon the data exchanged with the grid monitors and/or controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Thomas A. Bunker, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
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Publication number: 20190084072Abstract: Welding system and method permit exchange of data with Smart Grid monitors and/or controllers. The welding systems include a welding power supply configured to convert power between the power grid and the welding power supply. A grid interface cooperates with control circuitry to transmit data to and/or from the grid monitors and/or controllers on the grid side. The control circuitry may control operation of the welding power supply based upon data from the grid. The system may include power generation devices (e.g., engine-drive generators) and energy storage devices (e.g., batteries). The control circuitry may control operation of such devices, the exchange of power between them, and the draw of power from the grid or the application of power to the grid based upon the data exchanged with the grid monitors and/or controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Thomas A. Bunker, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
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Publication number: 20190070689Abstract: Methods and apparatus to synergically control a welding-type output during a welding-type operation are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; a communication circuit configured to receive a control signal from a remote control device during a welding-type operation; and a control circuit configured to synergically control a voltage of the welding-type power and a wire feed speed based on the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventor: Thomas A. Bunker
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Publication number: 20180361492Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a means for communicating.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Timothy N. Temby, James F. Rappl, Joseph E. Feldhausen, Todd E. Holverson, Michael H. Novak, Jeffery R. Ihde, Joseph C. Schneider, Bruce P. Albrecht, Thomas A. Bunker, Clay A. Byron
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Patent number: 10152203Abstract: An electronic device displays a chart, which includes visual marks that represent calculated values derived from a set of data, and panes formed by intersection of rows and columns. A current focus is on a first visual mark at a first position. The device concurrently displays a chart-calculations-options area, which includes display options for a type of calculation and a type of data partitioning. Visual marks in a first set of visual marks are visually distinguished from other visual marks. The first set of visual marks includes the first visual mark, and corresponds to a first selected option for a type of calculation and a first selected option for a type of data partitioning. The device detects an input that selects a second option for a type of data partitioning, and, in response, visually distinguishes visual marks in a second set of visual marks in accordance with the selection.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Tableau Software, Inc.Inventors: Jun Kim, Christopher Richard Stolte, Jock Douglas Mackinlay, Ross Thomas Bunker, Bora Beran, Justin Talbot
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Patent number: 10058948Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a means for communicating and a means for locating a cable. A welding power supply has a controller, a power circuit and a weld cable locator module with a cable locator output connected to the controller, the power circuit, and/or a weld cable connection. The distal end of the cable is located, and the proximal end is connected to the power supply. An identifying signal is provided to the proximal end and transmitted to the distal end where it is detected. A pendant with a cable sensor and a transmitter responsive to the cable sensor can be provided. The cable sensor can include an RFID reader and/or a bar code reader.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Timothy N. Temby, James F. Rappl, Joseph E. Feldhausen, Todd E. Holverson, Michael H. Novak, Jeffery R. Ihde, Joseph C. Schneider, Bruce P. Albrecht, Thomas A. Bunker, Clay A. Byron
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Publication number: 20170368630Abstract: A welding-type system and method for operating a welding-type system is disclosed. The system includes a switched power delivery circuit connected to deliver power to output terminals and an open-circuit voltage (OCV) control circuit configured to adjust an operational state of the switched power delivery circuit. A controller is included that is configured to monitor the output terminals to identify an open circuit condition and selectively engage the OCV control circuit to adjust the operational state of the switched power delivery circuit to reduce a voltage of the output power delivered to the output terminals during the open circuit condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Quinn W. Schartner, Thomas A. Bunker
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Publication number: 20170072498Abstract: A method includes receiving data corresponding to a voltage level over time and a current level over time. The method also includes determining a first ratio corresponding to a voltage ramp percent or a voltage falling edge percent with respect to a peak in the voltage level and determining a second ratio corresponding to a current ramp ratio or a current falling edge ratio with respect to a peak in the current level. The method further includes determining, based on a comparison between the first ratio and the second ratio, whether to increment, decrement, or maintain an inductance compensation estimation value corresponding to an estimated inductance present in one or more secondary components associated with the welding operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Thomas A. Bunker, Richard Schuh
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Publication number: 20170050255Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding type power is disclosed. The output is cyclical, and is a controlled voltage output during the background and/or peak and a controlled current output during the transition up and/or down. During the controlled current portion the output is responsive to output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard J. Schuh, Justin M. Durik, Thomas A. Bunker
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Patent number: 9506958Abstract: A method includes receiving data corresponding to a voltage level over time and a current level over time. The method also includes determining a first ratio corresponding to a voltage ramp percent or a voltage falling edge percent with respect to a peak in the voltage level and determining a second ratio corresponding to a current ramp ratio or a current falling edge ratio with respect to a peak in the current level. The method further includes determining, based on a comparison between the first ratio and the second ratio, whether to increment, decrement, or maintain an inductance compensation estimation value corresponding to an estimated inductance present in one or more secondary components associated with the welding operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Thomas A. Bunker, Richard Schuh
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Patent number: 9387550Abstract: A method includes receiving data corresponding to a weld waveform that is generated during a welding operation and determining, based on the received data corresponding to the weld waveform, an overshoot voltage for the welding operation that exceeds an expected voltage level. The method further includes receiving data corresponding to a measured stud voltage and calculating, based on the overshoot voltage and the measured stud voltage, a stud voltage for the welding operation. The method also includes controlling at least one parameter of the welding operation based on the stud voltage for the welding operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Thomas A. Bunker, Richard Schuh
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Patent number: 9089922Abstract: Welding system and method permit exchange of data with Smart Grid monitors and/or controllers. The welding systems include a welding power supply configured to convert power between the power grid and the welding power supply. A grid interface cooperates with control circuitry to transmit data to and/or from the grid monitors and/or controllers on the grid side. The control circuitry may control operation of the welding power supply based upon data from the grid. The system may include power generation devices (e.g., engine-drive generators) and energy storage devices (e.g., batteries). The control circuitry may control operation of such devices, the exchange of power between them, and the draw of power from the grid or the application of power to the grid based upon the data exchanged with the grid monitors and/or controllers.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Thomas A. Bunker, Bruce Patrick Albrecht
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Patent number: 8927902Abstract: A controller for a welding system adapted to determine a value of a weld secondary parameter across a weld secondary component based on a sensed parameter is provided. The controller may also be adapted to compare the determined value to a reference value range and to alert a user to a presence and location of a weld secondary error when the determined value is outside the referenced value range.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard Schuh, Anthony J. Kowaleski, Thomas A. Bunker, Nicholas James Dessart, Bruce A. Casner