Patents by Inventor Tim Matus

Tim Matus 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).

  • Publication number: 20070125758
    Abstract: A welder having an internal shielding gas regulator is disclosed. The welder has an internal gas cylinder and an internal regulator disposed in an enclosure. The welder may be equipped with an auxiliary shielding gas cylinder inlet so that a bulk shielding gas cylinder can be attached thereto and have a flow therefrom regulated by the internal shielding gas regulator. The welder constructed according to the invention is highly transportable, compact, and self-sufficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce Albrecht, Tim Matus, Bernard Vogel, Ken Stanzel
  • Publication number: 20060169683
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a welding-type power supply includes providing a current wave form having an arc current portion and a short circuit current portion. An arc state is entered by retracting a welding wire, and a short circuit state is entered by advancing the wire. The current enters the arc current portion prior to the creation of the arc and the current enters the short circuit current portion prior to the creation of the short, by coordinating the wave form with the wire retraction. This may be preformed on a wire having a diameter of 2.4 mm or more to a weld and applying a welding current of less than 100 amps, or of less than 35 amps. One current waveform during the arc state includes at least three segments, and the last segment is entered into prior to the short circuit state being entered, and is the same current magnitude as the current magnitude at the start of the short circuit state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Huismann, Peter Hennecke, Richard Hutchison, Lori Kuiper, Tim Matus
  • Publication number: 20060076331
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a MIG welding machine having a 115 volt inverter. Incorporation of the 115 volt inverter into the MIG welding power source reduces the weight of the power source thereby increasing its portability. The power source may include a power factor correction circuit to provide a near-unity power factor such that output power of the inverter is more efficiently provided. Additionally, the 115 volt inverter is constructed such that for short periods of time, the inverter may output power at a level that exceeds its power rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Tim Matus, Bernard Vogel, Bruce Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20060076332
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a MIG welding machine having a 115 volt inverter. Incorporation of the 115 volt inverter into the MIG welding power source reduces the weight of the power source thereby increasing its portability. The power source may include a power factor correction circuit to provide a near-unity power factor such that output power of the inverter is more efficiently provided. Additionally, the 115 volt inverter is constructed such that for short periods of time, the inverter may output power at a level that exceeds its power rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Tim Matus, Bernard Vogel, Bruce Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20060049152
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for improved operational feedback from a plasma torch to a plasma-cutting power source. A plasma cutter includes a plasma cutting power source, a plasma torch in communication with the plasma cutting power source, and a serialization circuit disposed within the plasma torch to control transmission of multiple feedback signals from the plasma torch to the plasma cutting power source. The serialization circuit receives the multiple feedback signals and places the feedback in a queue, such that the multiple feedback signals are sent from the queue to a processing unit in the power source via a single communications link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventor: Tim Matus
  • Publication number: 20050127043
    Abstract: A welder having an internal shielding gas regulator is disclosed. The welder has an internal gas cylinder and an internal regulator disposed in an enclosure. The welder may be equipped with an auxiliary shielding gas cylinder inlet so that a bulk shielding gas cylinder can be attached thereto and have a flow therefrom regulated by the internal shielding gas regulator. The welder constructed according to the invention is highly transportable, compact, and self-sufficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Bruce Albrecht, Tim Matus, Bernard Vogel, Ken Stanzel
  • Publication number: 20050109736
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a plasma torch consumable is disclosed. The invention includes at least two of a tip, a shielding cup, an electrode, and a swirl ring being integral to form a unitary one-piece assembly prior to being attached to the torch. Such a construction minimizes the number of parts that must be handled and orientated when connecting the consumable assembly to a plasma torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Tim Matus
  • Publication number: 20050077273
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for a plasma cutting system including a plasma cutting power source and a plasma torch operationally connected to the plasma cutting power source. A processing unit is disposed within the plasma torch and is configured to control the plasma cutting power source during a plasma cutting process based on operational feedback gathered of the plasma cutting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Tim Matus, David Lambert, Joseph Schneider, James Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20050061791
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a MIG welding machine having a 115 volt inverter. Incorporation of the 115 volt inverter into the MIG welding power source reduces the weight of the power source thereby increasing its portability. The power source may include a power factor correction circuit to provide a near-unity power factor such that output power of the inverter is more efficiently provided. Additionally, the 115 volt inverter is constructed such that for short periods of time, the inverter may output power at a level that exceeds its power rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Tim Matus, Bernard Vogel, Bruce Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20050061784
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically determining a consumable type when a consumable is disposed within an electrode holder of a welding-type system is disclosed. The invention includes a detector assembly that measures a physical characteristic of a connected consumable and provides feedback regarding that which is measured. From the feedback, the operating parameters of a welding-type process may be automatically prescribed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventor: Tim Matus
  • Publication number: 20050056629
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a welding-type power supply includes providing a current wave form having an arc current portion and a short circuit current portion. An arc state is entered by retracting a welding wire, and a short circuit state is entered by advancing the wire. The current enters the arc current portion prior to the creation of the arc and the current enters the short circuit current portion prior to the creation of the short, by coordinating the wave form with the wire retraction. This may be preformed on a wire having a diameter of 2.4 mm or more to a weld and applying a welding current of less than 100 amps, or of less than 35 amps. One current waveform during the arc state includes at least three segments, and the last segment is entered into prior to the short circuit state being entered, and is the same current magnitude as the current magnitude at the start of the short circuit state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Gerd Huismann, Peter Hennecke, Richard Hutchison, Lori Kuiper, Tim Matus
  • Publication number: 20050045599
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for improved operational feedback from a plasma torch to a plasma-cutting power source. A plasma cutter includes a plasma cutting power source, a plasma torch in communication with the plasma cutting power source, and a serialization circuit disposed within the plasma torch to control transmission of multiple feedback signals from the plasma torch to the plasma cutting power source. The serialization circuit receives the multiple feedback signals and places the feedback in a queue, such that the multiple feedback signals are sent from the queue to a processing unit in the power source via a single communications link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventor: Tim Matus
  • Patent number: 6420672
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for plasma cutting is disclosed. A regulated flow of gas is provided to the torch. Power is also provides to the torch. A controller controls the system and includes a delay circuit. A gas pressure sensor is connected to the torch and/or the gas flow control, and/or the controller. A user indicator is connected to the delay circuit, and the user indicator is activated upon low pressure being detected, and maintained even if the pressure rises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James Ulrich, Tim Matus
  • Patent number: 6313431
    Abstract: A plasma arc cutting power supply, and method of providing plasma cutting power, is disclosed. It includes a source of power having, preferably an engine or transformer based power source, that provides a main power output and an auxiliary power output. A two-state configuration circuit is in electrical communication with the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a first magnitude with a non-floating ground when the configuration circuit is in its first state. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a second magnitude, preferably different than the first magnitude, with a floating ground, when the configuration circuit is in its second state. When a plasma cutting circuit is connected to the auxiliary power output the configuration circuit is set in its second state. The plasma cutting circuit includes at least one chopper. A safety circuit that disables the plasma output includes a GFI or optical isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Schneider, Rick Hutchison, Tim Matus
  • Patent number: 6130398
    Abstract: A plasma arc cutting power supply, and method of providing plasma cutting power, is disclosed. It includes a source of power having, preferably an engine or transformer based power source, that provides a main power output and an auxiliary power output. A two-state configuration circuit is in electrical communication with the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a first magnitude with a non-floating ground when the configuration circuit is in its first state. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a second magnitude, preferably different than the first magnitude, with a floating ground, when the configuration circuit is in its second state. When a plasma cutting circuit is connected to the auxiliary power output the configuration circuit is set in its second state. The plasma cutting circuit includes at least one chopper. A safety circuit that disables the plasma output includes a GFI or optical isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Schneider, Rick Hutchison, Tim Matus