Patents by Inventor Troy A. Sommerfeld
Troy A. Sommerfeld 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: 9050684Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a torch power system using a multi-stage compressor. In one embodiment, a system includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor having multiple compression stages. A method of operation is provided that includes compressing a gas via a multi-stage compressor in a torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a torch power unit is provided that includes providing a multi-stage compressor for a torch power unit and mounting the multi-stage compressor inside an enclosure of the torch power unit. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a multi-stage compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, and a compressor controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
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Publication number: 20150028024Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a torch power system using a multi-stage compressor. In one embodiment, a system includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor having multiple compression stages. A method of operation is provided that includes compressing a gas via a multi-stage compressor in a torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a torch power unit is provided that includes providing a multi-stage compressor for a torch power unit and mounting the multi-stage compressor inside an enclosure of the torch power unit. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a multi-stage compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, and a compressor controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
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Patent number: 8859928Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a torch power system using a multi-stage compressor. In one embodiment, a system includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor having multiple compression stages. A method of operation is provided that includes compressing a gas via a multi-stage compressor in a torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a torch power unit is provided that includes providing a multi-stage compressor for a torch power unit and mounting the multi-stage compressor inside an enclosure of the torch power unit. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a multi-stage compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, and a compressor controller.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
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Patent number: 8399797Abstract: A system is provided that includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor and a controller configured to adjust output of the compressor in response to feedback comprising compressor output, or altitude, or atmospheric pressure, or a combination thereof. A method is provided that includes adjusting operational parameters of a torch power unit to account for environmental conditions affecting performance of the torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a portable cutting torch system is also provided. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, an interface, and an environmental feedback controller.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Troy A. Sommerfeld, Nathan Gerald Leiteritz
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Patent number: 8153925Abstract: A system is provided that includes a torch power unit. The torch power unit includes a compressor and a moisture remover coupled to the compressor. A method is provided that includes compressing a gas via compressor and removing moisture from the gas via a moisture remover coupled to the compressor. A method of manufacturing a torch system is also provided. Additionally, a system for a torch power unit is provided that includes a moisture remover.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
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Publication number: 20090159577Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a torch power system using a multi-stage compressor. In one embodiment, a system includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor having multiple compression stages. A method of operation is provided that includes compressing a gas via a multi-stage compressor in a torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a torch power unit is provided that includes providing a multi-stage compressor for a torch power unit and mounting the multi-stage compressor inside an enclosure of the torch power unit. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a multi-stage compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, and a compressor controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
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Publication number: 20090159574Abstract: A system is provided that includes a torch power unit. The torch power unit includes a compressor and a moisture remover coupled to the compressor. A method is provided that includes compressing a gas via compressor and removing moisture from the gas via a moisture remover coupled to the compressor. A method of manufacturing a torch system is also provided. Additionally, a system for a torch power unit is provided that includes a moisture remover.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
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Publication number: 20090159581Abstract: A system is provided that includes a torch power unit. The torch power unit includes a compressor and a controller configured to adjust the compressor based on a profile indicating a resonance point for the compressor. A method is also provided that includes adjusting the compressor to reduce vibrations or movement of the compressor based on a resonance point. A machine-readable medium that includes code that includes instructions to adjust a rate of velocity change based on a resonance point is also provided. A method of operation is provided that includes reducing vibrations associated with a resonance point of the device by increasing the rate of velocity change at the resonance point as compared to non-resonance regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
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Publication number: 20090159576Abstract: A system is provided that includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor and a controller configured to adjust output of the compressor in response to feedback comprising compressor output, or altitude, or atmospheric pressure, or a combination thereof. A method is provided that includes adjusting operational parameters of a torch power unit to account for environmental conditions affecting performance of the torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a portable cutting torch system is also provided. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, an interface, and an environmental feedback controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Troy A. Sommerfeld, Nathan Gerald Leiteritz
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Patent number: 7084367Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating a temperature of a torch consumable is disclosed. The invention includes a shielding cup constructed to be attached to a torch having a coating which indicates a temperature of the shielding cup during a welding/cutting process. Preferably, the coating indicates to a user when the temperature of the torch is beyond a preferred operating range thereby preventing excessive wear of the consumables associated with overheating.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Troy A. Sommerfeld, Joseph C. Schneider
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Patent number: 7022935Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system including a plasma cutting torch having an output electrode and a plasma cutter starting circuit configured to generate a pilot arc at the output electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Tim A. Matus, Troy A. Sommerfeld, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
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Publication number: 20050077270Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating a temperature of a torch consumable is disclosed. The invention includes a shielding cup constructed to be attached to a torch having a coating which indicates a temperature of the shielding cup during a welding/cutting process. Preferably, the coating indicates to a user when the temperature of the torch is beyond a preferred operating range thereby preventing excessive wear of the consumables associated with overheating.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2003Publication date: April 14, 2005Inventors: Troy Sommerfeld, Joseph Schneider