Patents by Inventor Todd Gerald Batzler
Todd Gerald Batzler 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: 11749133Abstract: A welding training system includes one or more welding operator device which provides positional feedback relevant to a quality weld. The positional feedback is analyzed and, when the positional feedback is outside of a predetermined range, a signal is provided to the welding operator. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided in a welding gun.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Todd Gerald Batzler, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, William Joshua Becker
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Publication number: 20230117440Abstract: A welding training system includes one or more welding operator device which provides positional feedback relevant to a quality weld. The positional feedback is analyzed and, when the positional feedback is outside of a predetermined range, a signal is provided to the welding operator. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided in a welding gun.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Todd Gerald Batzler, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, William Joshua Becker
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Patent number: 11423800Abstract: A welding training system includes one or more welding operator device which provides positional feedback relevant to a quality weld. The positional feedback is analyzed and, when the positional feedback is outside of a predetermined range, a signal is provided to the welding operator. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided in a welding gun.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Todd Gerald Batzler, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, William Joshua Becker
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Patent number: 11247287Abstract: Disclosed is a welding-type power source that includes a first wire feeder provides a wire to a workpiece. A first wire feeder motor of the wire feeder to move the wire from a wire storage device to the workpiece. A second wire feeder motor moves the wire to and away from the workpiece and superimposes movement of the wire onto the movement from the first wire feeder motor. A moveable buffer located between the first and second wire feeder motors, and configured to accommodate a change in length of the wire between the first and second wire feeder motors when the second wire feeder motor moves the wire away from the workpiece. A sensor senses movement or displacement of the moveable buffer, wherein a speed or direction of the first or second wire feeder motors is adjusted based on data from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler
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Publication number: 20210252626Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a consistent electrode state for welding. an example welding-type system includes: a first wire drive to feed an electrode wire through a welding torch; a bidirectional assisting wire drive to advance the electrode wire from a wire supply to the first wire drive; a tension-compression detector to detect a first tension-compression state of the electrode wire; and one or more motor controllers to control the first wire drive and the assisting wire drive to put the electrode wire in a predetermined position relative to the welding torch by: controlling the first wire drive to hold the electrode wire; and controlling the assisting wire drive to advance or retract the electrode wire based on the first tension-compression state to put the electrode wire in a second tension-compression state.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Maxwell Brock, Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler, Peter Mehn
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Patent number: 10987762Abstract: Portable, wearable or integrate-able devices may be used in detecting gestures or motions by operators of welding systems, and performing actions based thereon. The detection may be performed using sensors (e.g., MEMS or muscle sensors), which generate sensory data. The detected gestures or motions may be processed and translated into corresponding actions or commands, which may be handled directly or communicated to other devices in the welding systems. The actions or commands may comprise welding actions/commands, which are configured for controlling a particular component used during welding operations, and/or gesture-related actions/commands, which are configured for controlling gesture-related components and/or operations. Feedback is provided to the operator, such as to acknowledge or validate detection of the gestures, to identify the corresponding action or command, and to complete the identified action or command. The feedback may be non-visual feedback, such as haptic or audio feedback.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Todd Gerald Batzler, Robert Arthur Batzler
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Publication number: 20210114128Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power derives motive power from a variable speed engine and driving a variable frequency generator with the motive power to provide a generator output. The generator output is preregulated to provide an intermediate signal, and the preregulating is controlled at least in response to feedback indicative of the welding-type output power. Welding-type output power is derived from the bus, and controlled at least in response to the welding feedback. Auxiliary output power is also derived from the bus, and controlled at least in response to feedback indicative of the auxiliary output power. The speed of the engine is controlled at least in response to one of the auxiliary feedback and the welding feedback. Energy produced by the engine that is not used as an output is stored by batteries. When the output exceeds the energy generated, the difference is supplied by the batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventor: Todd Gerald Batzler
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Patent number: 10906120Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a consistent electrode state for welding, an example welding-type system includes: a first wire drive to feed an electrode wire through a welding torch; a bidirectional assisting wire drive to advance the electrode wire from a wire supply to the first wire drive; a tension-compression detector to detect a first tension-compression state of the electrode wire; and one or more motor controllers to control the first wire drive and the assisting wire drive to put the electrode wire in a predetermined position relative to the welding torch by: controlling the first wire drive to hold the electrode wire; and controlling the assisting wire drive to advance or retract the electrode wire based on the first tension-compression state to put the electrode wire in a second tension-compression state.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Maxwell Brock, Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler, Peter Mehn
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Publication number: 20200380885Abstract: A welding training system includes one or more welding operator device which provides positional feedback relevant to a quality weld. The positional feedback is analyzed and, when the positional feedback is outside of a predetermined range, a signal is provided to the welding operator. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided in a welding gun.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Todd Gerald Batzler, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, William Joshua Becker
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Patent number: 10751827Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power derives motive power from a variable speed engine and driving a variable frequency generator with the motive power to provide a generator output. The generator output is preregulated to provide an intermediate signal, and the preregulating is controlled at least in response to feedback indicative of the welding-type output power. Welding-type output power is derived from the bus, and controlled at least in response to the welding feedback. Auxiliary output power is also derived from the bus, and controlled at least in response to feedback indicative of the auxiliary output power. The speed of the engine is controlled at least in response to one of the auxiliary feedback and the welding feedback. Energy produced by the engine that is not used as an output is stored by batteries. When the output exceeds the energy generated, the difference is supplied by the batteries.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Todd Gerald Batzler
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Patent number: 10748442Abstract: A welding training system includes one or more welding operator device which provides positional feedback relevant to a quality weld. The positional feedback is analyzed and, when the positional feedback is outside of a predetermined range, a signal is provided to the welding operator. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided in a welding gun.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Todd Gerald Batzler, Bruce Patrick Albrecht, William Joshua Becker
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Publication number: 20200238421Abstract: Disclosed welding-type systems and methods are directed to employing a wire feeder for feeding an electrode wire from a wire source in a welding system. The wire feeder includes one or more drive rolls to advance the electrode wire by contact force. In disclosed examples, a contact force on the wire from the drive rolls is adjustable. In some examples, the system includes a controller to receive a feedback signal corresponding to the contact force. The controller commands an actuator or other mechanism to adjust the contact force on the wire, such as by adjusting a position of the one or more drive rolls in response to the contact force falling outside a range of threshold contact force values.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Richard M. Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler, Dennis Roland Sigl
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Publication number: 20190366466Abstract: Disclosed is a welding system configured to perform additive manufacturing using a controlled short circuit welding process to apply a plurality of droplets of a wire to create a multilayer part comprised of the droplets. Operational parameters of the additive manufacturing system are dynamically adjusted based on data representing a temperature value and/or a geometric characteristic of the part. Based on the data, the controller can adjust one or more operational parameters to control application of droplets to build up the part.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler
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Publication number: 20190344370Abstract: Disclosed is a welding-type power source that includes a first wire feeder provides a wire to a workpiece. A first wire feeder motor of the wire feeder to move the wire from a wire storage device to the workpiece. A second wire feeder motor moves the wire to and away from the workpiece and superimposes movement of the wire onto the movement from the first wire feeder motor. A moveable buffer located between the first and second wire feeder motors, and configured to accommodate a change in length of the wire between the first and second wire feeder motors when the second wire feeder motor moves the wire away from the workpiece. A sensor senses movement or displacement of the moveable buffer, wherein a speed or direction of the first or second wire feeder motors is adjusted based on data from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Richard Martin Hutchison, Todd Gerald Batzler
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Patent number: 10369651Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a welding-type power includes a housing with an auxiliary power mount, and a welding type power circuit. A controller, a control power circuit, and an auxiliary power module are disposed in the housing. The auxiliary power module/circuit is mounted to the auxiliary power mount. A standard power receptacle is connected to the auxiliary power module. At least one wiring harness connects the welding type power circuit to the auxiliary power module/circuit, which is the only electrical connection between the auxiliary power circuit and the welding type power circuit. The auxiliary power is electrically isolated from the input power and the welding type power.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Todd Gerald Batzler
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Patent number: 10363628Abstract: Methods and devices for control for an automated welding system are provided. Disclosed control methods may include receiving a data set including one or more features of a joint to be welded and receiving a weld procedure for the joint to be welded. The weld procedure for the joint is determined based on a sample virtual weld performed by an operator, a stored procedure developed for a substantially similar weld joint, or a combination thereof. The method may further include determining one or more desired changes to the weld procedure based on the received features of the joint to be welded and generating an updated weld procedure by altering one or more parameters of the received weld procedure in accordance with the one or more desired changes, wherein the one or more parameters are included within a predetermined allowable data set.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Todd Gerald Batzler, Michael Leo Weller
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Patent number: 10150174Abstract: Systems and methods to convert welding power to auxiliary power are disclosed. An example power conversion system includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert an input voltage from a welding power supply unit to a second output to power an auxiliary load, the power conversion circuitry comprising: an input power converter configured to receive the input voltage from the welding power supply unit; an input-to-output isolation circuit configured to maintain the auxiliary load at a different potential than the welding power supply unit; and an output power converter configured to output power having a target frequency and a target waveform to the auxiliary load; and a processor configured to control the output of the power conversion circuitry based on feedback associated with power requirements at the auxiliary load.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tools Works Inc.Inventors: Neal Maynard Borchert, Todd Gerald Batzler
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Publication number: 20180117702Abstract: Methods and devices for control for an automated welding system are provided. Disclosed control methods may include receiving a data set including one or more features of a joint to be welded and receiving a weld procedure for the joint to be welded. The weld procedure for the joint is determined based on a sample virtual weld performed by an operator, a stored procedure developed for a substantially similar weld joint, or a combination thereof. The method may further include determining one or more desired changes to the weld procedure based on the received features of the joint to be welded and generating an updated weld procedure by altering one or more parameters of the received weld procedure in accordance with the one or more desired changes, wherein the one or more parameters are included within a predetermined allowable data set.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Bruce Patrick Albrecht, Todd Gerald Batzler, Michael Leo Weller
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Publication number: 20180099345Abstract: Systems and methods to convert welding power to auxiliary power are disclosed. An example power conversion system includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert an input voltage from a welding power supply unit to a second output to power an auxiliary load, the power conversion circuitry comprising: an input power converter configured to receive the input voltage from the welding power supply unit; an input-to-output isolation circuit configured to maintain the auxiliary load at a different potential than the welding power supply unit; and an output power converter configured to output power having a target frequency and a target waveform to the auxiliary load; and a processor configured to control the output of the power conversion circuitry based on feedback associated with power requirements at the auxiliary load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Neal Maynard Borchert, Todd Gerald Batzler
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Publication number: 20180056426Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power derives motive power from a variable speed engine and driving a variable frequency generator with the motive power to provide a generator output. The generator output is preregulated to provide an intermediate signal, and the preregulating is controlled at least in response to feedback indicative of the welding-type output power. Welding-type output power is derived from the bus, and controlled at least in response to the welding feedback. Auxiliary output power is also derived from the bus, and controlled at least in response to feedback indicative of the auxiliary output power. The speed of the engine is controlled at least in response to one of the auxiliary feedback and the welding feedback. Energy produced by the engine that is not used as an output is stored by batteries. When the output exceeds the energy generated, the difference is supplied by the batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Todd Gerald Batzler