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).

  • Patent number: 9050684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
  • Publication number: 20150028024
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
  • Patent number: 8859928
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
  • Patent number: 8399797
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Troy A. Sommerfeld, Nathan Gerald Leiteritz
  • Patent number: 8153925
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
  • Publication number: 20090159577
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
  • Publication number: 20090159574
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
  • Publication number: 20090159581
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Troy A. Sommerfeld
  • Publication number: 20090159576
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Troy A. Sommerfeld, Nathan Gerald Leiteritz
  • Patent number: 7084367
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Troy A. Sommerfeld, Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7022935
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Tim A. Matus, Troy A. Sommerfeld, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20050077270
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Troy Sommerfeld, Joseph Schneider