Patents by Inventor William J. Beckers

William J. Beckers 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: 9352411
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Todd Batzler, Bruce Albrecht, William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20150190875
    Abstract: A method includes displaying, on a display of a welding torch, a welding parameter in relation to a predetermined threshold range for the welding parameter, a target value for the welding parameter, or some combination thereof as a position of the welding torch changes, an orientation of the welding torch changes, a movement of the welding torch changes, or some combination thereof, to enable a welding operator to perform a welding operation with the welding parameter within the predetermined threshold range, at the target value, or some combination thereof. The welding parameter is associated with the position of the welding torch, the orientation of the welding torch, the movement of the welding torch, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Becker, James M. Walker, Jeremy J. Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20150190876
    Abstract: A welding system includes a motion tracking system comprising a camera having a lens. The welding system also includes a cover disposed over the lens of the camera. The cover is configured to enable infrared light to pass therethrough and to block environmental elements from contacting the lens of the camera. The cover is disposed over the lens of the camera at an angle relative to a face of the camera, and the angle is between approximately 10 and 60 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Becker, David P. Marcusen, Nicholas Jon Peterson, Mark S. Payne
  • Publication number: 20150194072
    Abstract: A welding system includes a welding torch. The welding torch includes a sensor configured to detect a motion associated with the welding torch, a temperature associated with the welding torch, or some combination thereof. A display of the welding torch is activated, a determination is made that the welding torch has been involved in a high impact event, live welding using the welding torch is disabled, a software selection is made, or some combination thereof, based on the motion, the temperature, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Becker, James M. Walker, Jeremy J. Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20150190887
    Abstract: A calibration tool includes a calibration tip. The calibration tool may be for a welding training system or some other welding system. The calibration tool also includes a first marker disposed a first distance from the calibration tip and a second marker disposed a second distance from the first marker. The second distance is adjustable during calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Becker, David P. Marcusen
  • Publication number: 20150194073
    Abstract: A method used in a welding system includes detecting multiple markers on a welding torch. The markers are detected using one or more cameras. The method also includes blocking live welding using the welding torch while the one or more cameras are unable to detect at least one of the multiple markers on the welding torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Becker, James M. Walker, Jeremy J. Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20150190888
    Abstract: A welding system includes a protective cover selectively movable between a first position and a second position. While in the first position the protective cover is configured to block environmental elements from contacting a display, and while in the second position the protective cover is not configured to block environmental elements from contacting the display. The welding system also includes control circuitry configured to detect whether the protective cover is in the first position or the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Becker, James M. Walker, Jeremy J. Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20140263224
    Abstract: A welding tool includes a first handle and a second handle. The welding tool also includes a torch nozzle holder configured to hold a nozzle of a welding torch therein, and to block the nozzle from extending therethrough. The welding tool includes a blade assembly positioned a predetermined distance from the torch nozzle holder. The blade assembly is configured to cut welding wire extending through the blade assembly to calibrate wire stickout from the welding torch to the predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20140272836
    Abstract: A welding training system includes a welding surface, a computer configured to execute a welding training software, and a calibration device. The welding training system also includes a sensor communicatively coupled to the computer and configured to sense a position of the calibration device, an orientation of the calibration device, or some combination thereof. The sensor is also configured to provide calibration data to the welding training software to calibrate a location of the welding surface relative to the sensor. The calibration data includes the position of the calibration device, the orientation of the calibration device, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20140272837
    Abstract: A welding training system includes a welding training software having three or more modes. The three or more modes include a live-arc mode, a simulation mode, a virtual reality mode, an augmented reality mode, or some combination thereof. The live-arc mode is configured to enable training using a live welding arc, the simulation mode is configured to enable training using a welding simulation, the virtual reality mode is configured to enable training using a virtual reality simulation, and the augmented reality mode is configured to enable training using an augmented reality simulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20140272838
    Abstract: A welding training system includes a camera configured to capture video data corresponding to a welding training operation. The welding training system also includes a storage device configured to store the video data, and to store welding parameter data corresponding to the welding training operation. The welding training system includes a welding training software configured to retrieve the video data from the storage device, to retrieve the welding parameter data from the storage device, to synchronize the video data with the welding parameter data, and to provide the synchronized video and welding parameter data to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20140272835
    Abstract: A welding training system includes a welding training software having a first training mode configured to simulate a welding arc and a second training mode configured to use a live welding arc. The welding training system is configured to block welding power flow between a welding power supply and a welding torch while the welding training software is in the first training mode. The welding training system is also configured to enable the welding power to flow between the welding power supply and the welding torch while the welding training software is in the second training mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20140134580
    Abstract: A system and device for welding training. In one example, a welding system includes a device configured to be used with the welding system. The device includes a first marker having a first shape and a first color. The welding device also includes a second marker having a second shape and a second color. The first and second colors are different or the first and second shapes are different. Further, the first and second markers are configured to be detected by a video game system, a computer accessory, or some combination thereof, to determine a position of the device, an orientation of the device, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20140134579
    Abstract: A system and device for welding training. In one example, a welding training system includes a position detecting system configured to detect a distance between the position detecting system and objects within a field of view of the position detecting system, and to produce a map corresponding to the objects. The welding training system also includes a markers configured to be coupled to a device of the welding training system. Furthermore, the markers are configured to be detected by the position detecting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20130291271
    Abstract: A welding helmet for detecting arc data is provided. One embodiment of the welding helmet includes an arc detection system configured to detect one or more welding arcs that occur during one or more welding operations. The welding helmet also includes control circuitry configured to count a number of the one or more welding arcs detected by the arc detection system. The welding helmet includes a storage device configured to store the number of the one or more welding arcs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Becker, Kyle A. Pfeifer, Eric T. Sommers
  • Patent number: 7926118
    Abstract: Provided for is a control system for a welding helmet comprising: an electronically controllable lens configured to be mounted in a welding helmet shell, a microphone configured to receive an audible input and to generate a signal in response to the audible input received and an electronic control module coupled to the lens and to the microphone and configured to control the electronically controllable lens based upon the signal. Also provided for is a welding helmet implementing a control system and a method of manufacturing a welding helmet including a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Becker, Hans J. Bachmeier
  • Publication number: 20090298024
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Todd Batzler, Bruce Albrecht, William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20090094721
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for automatic adjustment of sensitivity threshold settings in an auto-darkening lens. For example, a user may initiate an automatic sensitivity setting process by activating a user interface (e.g., a button, a switch, a slider, etc.). The automatic sensitivity setting process may proceed to gradually increase the sensitivity threshold voltage until it exceeds an optical voltage based on the ambient light. The process may then be terminated. In some embodiments, a hysteresis may be added to the sensitivity threshold voltage to prevent lens flicker. The automatic sensitivity setting process may be implemented in a digital or analog system. These automatic sensitivity setting processes and systems may save time and provide for more precise sensitivity adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: William J. Becker
  • Publication number: 20080158502
    Abstract: Provided for is a control system for a welding helmet comprising: an electronically controllable lens configured to be mounted in a welding helmet shell, a microphone configured to receive an audible input and to generate a signal in response to the audible input received and an electronic control module coupled to the lens and to the microphone and configured to control the electronically controllable lens based upon the signal. Also provided for is a welding helmet implementing a control system and a method of manufacturing a welding helmet including a control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: William J. Becker, Hans J. Bachmeir
  • Patent number: D675384
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Becker