Magnetic Patents (Class 219/123)
  • Patent number: 11942295
    Abstract: A relay includes a housing, an electric contact system in the housing, an electromagnetic system in the housing, and a magnetic blowing arc-extinguish device. The electric contact system includes a static contact with a static contact portion and a movable contact with a movable contact portion. The electromagnetic system is configured to drive the movable contact to move between a closed position in which the movable contact is in electrical contact with the static contact and an opened position in which the movable contact is separated from the static contact. The magnetic blowing arc-extinguish device includes a permanent magnet statically provided near the static contact and configured to lengthen an electric arc between the static contact portion and the movable contact portion by an electromagnetic force to extinguish the electric arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoning Zhang, Teng Zou
  • Patent number: 11235411
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing welding power supplies with interleaved inverter circuitry are described. In one embodiment, a welding power supply includes, for example, a first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit that are arranged in parallel. A voltage source or a current source is coupled to a first same node of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit. A filter inductor is coupled to a second same node of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit. The output current of the filter inductor is halved in frequency by disabling one of the first inverter circuit and the second inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Adam Manthe, Craig Steven Knoener
  • Patent number: 11123826
    Abstract: An electromagnetic apparatus for active intervention to a shape of a molten pool is provided. In the present invention, a workpiece is placed on stepped surfaces of a test bench. Upon power on, a metal rod rotates to generate a toroidal magnetic field centered on the metal rod, and the toroidal magnetic field acts on the molten pool to generate an induced current. The induced current generates Lorentz force under the action of the magnetic field, which acts perpendicularly on an outer surface of the molten pool, thereby changing the height, depth and width of the molten pool, and finally realizing the active intervention to the molten pool shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianzhong Zhou, Kun Huo, Fengze Dai, Xiankai Meng, Pengfei Li, Shu Huang, Jinzhong Lu
  • Patent number: 11044800
    Abstract: A novel plasma generation and containment system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and an electromagnet. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled via a wire to form an open circuit. The voltage is asserted on the open circuit to form a spark between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a closed circuit. Then, a current is asserted on the closed circuit to form a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electromagnet provides a magnetic field to contain and compress the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Plassein Technologies Ltd. LLC
    Inventor: Jack A. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10730130
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods relate to a welding system that provides a field former for use in welding applications. The welding system includes a welding torch that includes one or more coil windings through which flows current that forms a magnetic field. The magnetic field is concentric to the tool center point. An arc is formed between the electrode and a workpiece. The magnetic field forces the arc in a center of the welding torch or the one or more coiled windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Hsu
  • Patent number: 10399172
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to influencing a direction of an arc within a welding operation. Within a hot wire welding operation, an arc is generated between an electrode and a workpiece and a welding wire is energized while being supplied to a puddle formed by the electrode in order to deposit the liquefied welding wire onto the workpiece. A welder system and/or method is provided that controls a direction of the arc based on at least one of a polarity of the welding wire (via a power supply that energizes the welding wire), a location of the welding wire in proximity to the arc, a synchronization and/or de-synchronization of a polarity of the welding wire with the electrode, an activation and/or a de-activation of energizing of the welding wire, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Cole, Steven R. Peters
  • Patent number: 10265800
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a welding apparatus includes an irradiation device and a nozzle device. The irradiation device irradiates a target with laser light while scanning the laser light. The nozzle device includes an ejection port and ejects inert gas to an irradiation position of the laser light on the target through the ejection port located at a forward side in a scanning direction of the laser light relative to the irradiation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kawada, Naotada Okada, Susumu Yahagi
  • Patent number: 10239145
    Abstract: A system and method of welding is provided where a pulse welding power supply is coupled with a magnetic field power supply such that a magnetic field can be generated proximate to a welding arc during pulse welding. During pulse welding a magnetic field is used to direct the welding arc and a droplet being transferred in the arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: William T Matthews, Steven R Peters, Stephen R Cole
  • Patent number: 10189111
    Abstract: This indirect spot welding is for welding members including at least two overlapping steel sheets that have a ferrite phase as a main phase by holding a welding electrode (23) against a steel sheet (21) from one side while applying pressure with the electrode (23), attaching a feeding point (24) to a steel sheet (22) at the other side at a location remote from the electrode (23), and allowing current to flow between the electrode (23) and the feeding point (24). This welding includes contacting magnetic rigid bodies (26-1, 26-2) to a peripheral area of the electrode (23) from the one side against which the electrode (23) is held and securing an overlapping region in the peripheral area of the electrode (23) by a magnetic force produced by the rigid bodies (26-1, 26-2), thereby obtaining a weld having fully satisfactory strength, regardless of the rigidity of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Muneo Matsushita, Rinsei Ikeda, Akihide Yoshitake
  • Patent number: 10173279
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to reducing magnetic arc blow during a welding operation performed by a welding system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a welding system including a waveform generator generates a waveform that is switched from a positive current to a negative current, while passing through zero, in a step-wise fashion to resist the magnetic field within the material (e.g., the workpiece). In accordance of another embodiment of the invention, the welding system includes a nickel flux cord welding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Judah Benjamin Henry, Daniel P. Fleming, William T. Matthews
  • Patent number: 10086465
    Abstract: A system and method is provided. The system includes a first power supply that outputs a welding current that includes welding pulse currents and a background welding current. The system also includes a second power supply that outputs a heating current that includes first heating pulse currents at a first polarity and second heating pulse currents at an opposite polarity. The system also includes a controller that synchronizes at least one of the first heating pulse currents and the second heating pulse currents with at least one of the welding pulse currents and the background current to influence a position of an arc relative to a molten puddle based on magnetic fields created by the welding current and the heating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R Peters
  • Patent number: 9862050
    Abstract: A method of and system for steering an arc and/or torch head in a weld joint is provided. The system includes a torch head that creates an arc in a weld groove formed in at least one workpiece. The system also includes a control unit that includes a feedback system that monitors at least one of a voltage of the arc, a current of the arc, a power output of the torch power supply, and a contact tip to weld distance. The control unit outputs a feedback signal corresponding to the monitoring. The control unit also includes a comparison circuit that compares the feedback signal with at least one predetermined value corresponding to a position of at least one of the arc and the torch head in the weld groove. The control unit further includes an arc steering system that outputs a steering signal based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Cole
  • Patent number: 9782850
    Abstract: A method and system to weld or join workpieces employing a high intensity energy source to create a weld puddle and at least one resistive filler wire which is heated to at or near its melting temperature and deposited into the weld puddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R Peters, Kent Johns, Michael Whitehead, Paul E Denney, Jonathan S Ogborn, Andrew Peters, Stephen Cole, Michael Flagg, Vaidyanath Rajan
  • Patent number: 9748065
    Abstract: A sealed contact device capable of maintaining a function for drawing a generated arc to disappear rapidly and reliably for a long period. An electromagnetic relay includes a housing, a stationary contact and a moving contact which are disposed opposite to each other in the housing, and a pair of permanent magnets and disposed opposite to the stationary contact and the moving contact. An arc generated between the stationary contact and the moving contact is drawn due to a current conducting between the stationary contact and the moving contact and magnetic forces of the permanent magnets. An arc shield member is disposed in a position in which an arc in the housing is induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Shima, Masaki Mori, Takuma Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9662736
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for generating a negative polarity welding output current waveform to control a welding process. An electric arc welding system generates an electric welding waveform with portions in a negative polarity. A cycle of the electric welding waveform includes a background current phase, a short clearing ramp phase after the background current phase, a peak current phase, and a tail-out current phase of the electric welding waveform, wherein the peak current phase provides a negative peak current level, the tail-out current phase provides a monotonically increasing tail-out current level toward the positive background current level, and the short clearing ramp phase provides a decreasing current level in a positive polarity of current for the electric welding waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Linclon Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Peters
  • Patent number: 9511441
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to influencing a direction of an arc within a welding operation. Within a hot wire welding operation, an arc is generated between an electrode and a workpiece and a welding wire is energized while being supplied to a puddle formed by the electrode in order to deposit the liquefied welding wire onto the workpiece. A welder system and/or method is provided that controls a direction of the arc based on at least one of a polarity of the welding wire (via a power supply that energizes the welding wire), a location of the welding wire in proximity to the arc, a synchronization and/or de-synchronization of a polarity of the welding wire with the electrode, an activation and/or a de-activation of energizing of the welding wire, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Cole, Steven R. Peters
  • Patent number: 9488309
    Abstract: In some implementations, an apparatus includes a body, a receiver in contact with the body, two tensioners operable coupled to the receiver and a strap that includes strong and flexible material in which each end of the strap is attached to one of the two tensioners and the strap is in contact with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Forge Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lee Miller, Daniel J. Rybicki, Mathew A. Rybicki, Lawrence J. Povse, Kenneth R. Vejr, Andre S. Todd, John M. Griffin
  • Patent number: 9481046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing controlled AC TIG arc welding processes is provided. In AC TIG arc welding power source embodiments, configurations of main and auxiliary bridge circuits allow for the directional switching of the output welding current through the welding output circuit path and selectively provide one or more high impedance paths to rapidly decay the arc current. The high impedance path aids in the low spatter transfer of molten metal balls from consumable to a workpiece, via an arc generated by a tungsten electrode, and further aids in the maintaining or the re-establishing of an arc between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Steven R Peters
  • Patent number: 9446470
    Abstract: A magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) welding device heats facing ends of a pair of wellbore tubulars and a force application device compressively engages the facing ends to form a welded joint. The device may be positioned on the rig floor. The MIAB welding device may include a device configured to hold facing ends of the two wellbore tubulars at a specified distance away from one another, a high frequency arc ignition device configured to generate an arc between the facing ends and to revolve the arc around the circumference of the facing ends, and a magnetic field generator configured to superimpose a magnetic field at the facing ends. The MIAB welding device may be configured to melt at least a surface of the facing ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas Hassel, Aret Varahram, Detlev Benedict, Joerg Lehr, Friedrich Wilhelm Bach
  • Patent number: 9442481
    Abstract: A welding system including an arc monitoring, training, and control system is disclosed. The welding system includes a power supply, controller, and associated memory. When a weld is performed, the weld command and weld feedback parameters can be stored in the memory, along with associated alarm limit values. During subsequent welds, the input weld commands and actual feedback values can be compared to the established limits, and a fault signal provided to an operator or supervisor when the value exceeds the established limits. The fault signals can be used for training operators, as well as providing monitoring signals, and can be stored with weld data in a database for later analysis. In addition, collected weld data can be used to determine when to clean, repair, or replace consumables, including, for example, contact tips, wire drive liners, and drive rolls, and to monitor usage of wire and gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Raimund Davidson, Joseph Kyle Flnk, Paul Warren Cleveland
  • Patent number: 9283635
    Abstract: A system and method is provided in which each of a GMAW power supply and a TIG/plasma power supply are utilized in a common weld joint, where the waveforms from each of the power supplies are pulsed waveform which are pulsed out of phase which each other. Such a system minimizes arc interference and arc blow while at the same time increasing travel speed and throughput of a welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Steven R Peters
  • Publication number: 20150027997
    Abstract: A welding torch having guidance means designed to advance a wire-like welding filler material mechanically along an axis at least in a section of the welding torch, a process gas nozzle that coaxially surrounds at least the guidance means, and a welding current connector that is connected in electrically conductive manner to an element of the welding torch that is configured to conduct electrical current. A hollow electrode is provided that surrounds the axis coaxially and as the element configured for conducting current is connected in electrically conductive manner to the welding current connector, wherein the guidance means are designed to advance the wire-like welding filler material in potential free manner. The welding torch may be used as part of a welding apparatus for a variety of welding methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Ernst Miklos, Faith Savgu
  • Publication number: 20150001184
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to influencing a direction of an arc within a welding operation. Within a hot wire welding operation, an arc is generated between an electrode and a workpiece and a welding wire is energized while being supplied to a puddle formed by the electrode in order to deposit the liquefied welding wire onto the workpiece. A welder system and/or method is provided that controls a direction of the arc based on at least one of a polarity of the welding wire (via a power supply that energizes the welding wire), a location of the welding wire in proximity to the arc, a synchronization and/or de-synchronization of a polarity of the welding wire with the electrode, an activation and/or a de-activation of energizing of the welding wire, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: STEPHEN R. COLE, STEVEN R. PETERS
  • Publication number: 20140202993
    Abstract: A method of welding surface-treated members together using a welding wire includes a step of transferring a droplet detached from the wire to the members and a step of pushing the melt pool in the direction opposite to the direction of welding in such a manner that the gas generated from the members during welding is released from the site of generation. The melt pool is pushed to expose the overlapped region of these members. The gas generated from the members is released to the exposed portion, preventing generation of pores such as blowholes, and also generation of spatters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Kawamoto, Yasushi Mukai, Junji Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20140151345
    Abstract: A device for controlling a plasma arc is provided that includes a plurality of magnetic poles disposed around a distal end portion of a plasma arc torch. A plurality of electrical coils are wound around a proximal end portion of each of the plurality of magnetic poles, and a plurality of lead wires are connected to the plurality of electrical coils. A control system for controlling a current supplied to the plasma arc torch through the lead wires is also provided that changes at least one of a strength of a magnetic field produced by the magnetic poles, a polarity of the magnetic poles, and a movement of a magnetic force between the plurality of magnetic poles, such that a size and location of the plasma arc is controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Thermal Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Pieter Willen Jozef Zelis
  • Publication number: 20130256288
    Abstract: A system and method of welding is provided where a pulse welding power supply is coupled with a magnetic field power supply such that a magnetic field can be generated proximate to a welding arc during pulse welding. During pulse welding a magnetic field is used to direct the welding arc and a droplet being transferred in the arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Matthews, Steven R. Peters, Steven R. Cole
  • Publication number: 20130240495
    Abstract: The invention provides a sealed contact device capable of extinguishing an arc which extends in an arbitrary direction. The sealed contact device includes a housing; a fixed contact and a movable contact disposed in the housing in such a manner as to face each other; and permanent magnets which are disposed with the fixed contact and the movable contact interposed therebetween and which attracts an arc between the fixed contact and the movable contact using a magnetic force. An arc shielding member is disposed at a position to which the arc is attracted by current flowing between the fixed contact and the movable contact and by the magnetic force between the permanent magnets, in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Yano, Yasuo Hayashida, Ryuichi Hashimoto, Shingo Mori, Takuma Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8502109
    Abstract: Method of controlling the wear of at least one of the electrodes of a plasma torch including two electrodes having the same main axis, and being separated by a chamber designed to receive a plasma-generating gas, and at least one element for generating a magnetic field placed locally to the at least one electrode for which the control of wear is sought, in which the arc root is made to sweep longitudinally over a portion of the surface of this electrode from an initial position until the arc root reaches a defined final position of the portion, the longitudinal progression of the arc root being defined by a function dependent on at least the time, f(t), which is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Europlasma
    Inventors: Ulysse Michon, Amelie Hacala
  • Publication number: 20130092670
    Abstract: A magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) welding device heats facing ends of a pair of wellbore tubulars and a force application device compressively engages the facing ends to form a welded joint. The device may be positioned on the rig floor. The MIAB welding device may include a device configured to hold facing ends of the two wellbore tubulars at a specified distance away from one another, a high frequency arc ignition device configured to generate an arc between the facing ends and to revolve the arc around the circumference of the facing ends, and a magnetic field generator configured to superimpose a magnetic field at the facing ends. The MIAB welding device may be configured to melt at least a surface of the facing ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas Hassel, Aret Varahram, Detlev Benedict, Joerg Lehr, Friedrich-Wilhelm Bach
  • Publication number: 20130043219
    Abstract: A method and system to weld or join workpieces employing a high intensity energy source to create a weld puddle and at least one resistive filler wire which is heated to at or near its melting temperature and deposited into the weld puddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. Peters, Kent Johns, Michael Whitehead, Paul E. Denney, Jonathan S. Ogborn, Andrew Peters, Stephen Cole, Michael S Flagg, Vaidyanath Rajan
  • Patent number: 8188401
    Abstract: A wire electric discharge machining apparatus includes guide rollers and a single electrode wire that is wrapped around each of the guide rollers to form cut wire portions that are spaced from one another between pairs of the guide rollers. A processing power supply feeds electric power to the individual cut wire portions through a power feed element. A high frequency insulator includes wound coils of the electrode wire that are located between adjacent cut wire portions, and cores which close respective magnetic circuits of the individual coils. The magnetic circuits are magnetically insulated from one another. The power feed element is arranged between the individual cut wire portions and the individual coils, and the individual cut wire portions are insulated from one another at high frequencies by the individual coils. Voltages are impressed on the individual cut wire portions independently, so discharges can be generated simultaneously, in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsushi Sato
  • Patent number: 8129649
    Abstract: A method for Magnetic Arc welding for metallic materials wherein at least one of the workpieces to be welded has an open cross-section. The method comprises bracing the two workpieces and moving them together, wherein the open cross-section of one workpiece is bridged by a metallic auxiliary part to form a conducting closed region, and after the activation of a magnetic field of a magnet coil system and of the current required for welding, the workpieces are placed with a defined spacing and an electric arc is ignited, the magnetic field of the magnet coil system sets the electric arc in rotation in order to uniformly heat the end surfaces to be welded, and subsequently, the surfaces, which are to be welded, of the workpieces are pressed against one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Engineering AG
    Inventor: Thomas Lohken
  • Patent number: 7781699
    Abstract: A system for the efficient utilization of plasma torch post arc cooling gas includes a controller configured to automatically determine a post arc gas flow duration. The controller monitors a plasma arc parameter associated with a temperature of the plasma torch at arc termination. The controller dynamically determines the duration of post arc gas flow through the torch from the plasma arc parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7235758
    Abstract: A welding system comprises a combined torch that includes a consumable electrode and a non-consumable electrode positioned so that their respective axes form an acute angle and so that arcs initiated from the electrodes intersect a workpiece plane to define an impingement point distance D, and a magnetic mechanism coupled to the torch and used for controlling the distance D during welding. The magnetic mechanism may be a magnetic shield inserted between the electrodes, or a separate magnetic device, e.g. a permanent magnet or electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Plasma Laser Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Georgiy Ignatchenko, Igor Dykhno
  • Patent number: 7230201
    Abstract: Among the embodiments of the present invention, are apparatus, systems, and methods for managing energetic charged particles emitted nearly isotropically from a fusion device. One apparatus of the present invention includes a fusion device in a container and an electric current carrying winding disposed about the container to provide a magnetic field to direct charged particles generated by the device. A pair of electric current carrying coils are positioned within the container to control the strength of the magnetic field in a region between these coils, such that effects on fusion plasma can be minimized. In other forms, charged particles provided from a fusion device are directed along a magnetic channel to an energy converter to provide electric power. One such form includes a magnetic expander and an electron-ion separator to provide a net electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: NPL Associates
    Inventors: George Miley, Hiromu Momota
  • Patent number: 7161115
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and a vehicle-mounted apparatus (30) for laying pipelines in which adjacent pipe (17, 28) are joined by the technique of magnetically impelled arc butt welding (MIAB). A MIAB welding head (13) having a welding axis is mounted on a transportable platform (35). A pipe guide (50) capable of engaging a welded pipe string is located rearwardly of the welding head (45). The pipe guide (50) maintains alignment of the string with the welding axis. The apparatus includes pipe feed means (47, 48, 49) maintaining alignment of a next pipe to be laid with the welding axis and the pipe string (17). The platform (37) is rotatably mounted on the vehicle (30) and tilts around a horizontal axis. The vehicle (300) is provided with pivoting steerable tracks (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Miab Technology Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Gabriel Stecher, Allan Leigh Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7045741
    Abstract: An electric arc welding device (10) for butt welding metallic sheets (12; 72; 80; 90; 92; 94; 100) is provided having an elongated face (22) onto metallic counterpieces (14), having a holding device (16; 16, 74) for holding a sheet (12, 72; 80; 90; 92; 94; 100), a reciprocating device (18) for moving the holding device (16; 16, 74) to and fro towards the counterpiece (14) and away from it, and a voltage supply device (20) for applying a voltage between sheet (12; 72; 80; 90; 92; 94; 100) and counterpiece (14) in order to generate an electric arc (24) between them. A magnetic field generating device (30) is provided, designed to generate a magnetic field (50, 32) having a component (32) transverse to the extent of the elongated face (22) and transverse to the extent of the electric arc (24) generated in the welding operation, in order to move the electric arc (24) in the direction of the extent of the elongated face (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Klaus Gisbert Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20040118826
    Abstract: An electric arc welding device (10) for butt welding metallic sheets (12; 72; 80; 90; 92; 94; 100) is provided having an elongated face (22) onto metallic counterpieces (14), having a holding device (16; 16, 74) for holding a sheet (12, 72; 80; 90; 92; 94; 100), a reciprocating device (18) for moving the holding device (16; 16, 74) to and fro towards the counterpiece (14) and away from it, and a voltage supply device (20) for applying a voltage between sheet (12; 72; 80; 90; 92; 94; 100) and counterpiece (14) in order to generate an electric arc (24) between them. A magnetic field generating device (30) is provided, designed to generate a magnetic field (50, 32) having a component (32) transverse to the extent of the elongated face (22) and transverse to the extent of the electric arc (24) generated in the welding operation, in order to move the electric arc (24) in the direction of the extent of the elongated face (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Klaus Gisbert Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6630642
    Abstract: For arc welding a sleeve 3 to a workpiece surface 2, a sleeve holder 1 is surrounded by a field-former unit which contains a magnet coil 4, a magnetic flux return member 6 and a field former 7. A magnetic field is generated with a field component extending radially to the sleeve 3 within the welding gap to set the arc in rotation. To ensure a constant magnetic flux, the field-former unit, in particular its magnet coil 4, is cooled by a temperature-controlled cooling medium circulated through the welding head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: HBS Boizenschweiss-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hoellinger
  • Patent number: 6617547
    Abstract: A welding apparatus controlling a position of a welding arc, having a welding head housing an electrode producing the welding arc in a working zone. The apparatus has an electromagnet compensating a magnetic field in the working zone and at least two photoelectric elements, each of the elements having its viewing area. Viewing areas of photoelectric elements intersect forming a cross-view field. Photoelectric elements are electrically connected to each other in bridge and to the electromagnet. When the welding arc is strayed, the cross-view field is displaced, the bridge connection becomes unbalanced and a certain potential is supplied from the photoelectric elements to the electromagnet. When this potential is supplied to the electromagnet, it compensates the magnetic field in the working zone by returning the arc into a proper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Ilich Abdurachmanov
  • Publication number: 20030146193
    Abstract: A welding device includes a holder for a weld part (1) adapted to be moved substantially perpendicularly to, and away from, a surface of a workpiece (2) on which the weld part (1) is to be welded. An arc producing system produces an arc between the weld part (1) and the surface of the workpiece (2) with the arc generating a magnetic flux. A field former (3) includes a low-retentivity steel and provides a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by the arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Emhart LLC
    Inventor: Roland Kurz
  • Patent number: 6593539
    Abstract: Among the embodiments of the present invention, are apparatus, systems, and methods for managing energetic charged particles emitted nearly isotropically from a fusion device. One apparatus of the present invention includes a fusion device in a container and an electric current carrying winding disposed about the container to provide a magnetic field to direct charged particles generated by the device. A pair of electric current carrying coils are positioned within the container to control the strength of the magnetic field in a region between these coils, such that effects on fusion plasma can be minimized. In other forms, charged particles provided from a fusion device are directed along a magnetic channel to an energy converter to provide electric power. One such form includes a magnetic expander and an electron-ion separator to provide a net electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventors: George Miley, Hiromu Momota
  • Publication number: 20030024916
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a component, for example for an aerospace engine, includes a welding head 12 which supplies a weld material 24 to be deposited on a substrate 56 in order to build up the component. A flow of current is provided between the welding head 12 and the substrate 56 thereby melting the weld material and forming a molten weld pool in the substrate. A coil 50 is located above the weld pool and is provided with an alternating current thereby inducing an alternating magnetic field in the region of the weld pool to exert a force upon the molten substrate of the weld pool. This improves the crystal structure and therefore the properties of the resulting component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Iain W. Wright, Steven A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6492613
    Abstract: Multiple plasma jet path sensing positions and multiple localized steering magnetic fields for each plasma jet leg in an atmospheric plasma jet control system are described for a precise control over positions of plasma jet legs as well as their directions in a vertex zone, where a hot gas stream is generated for treatment of a semiconductor device. With a plasma jet generator system in accordance with the invention precise control over the plasma jet legs enables one to virtually eliminate plasma jet path instability at the vertex region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Jetek, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn David Bollinger, Iskander Tokmouline
  • Patent number: 6414265
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drawn arc welding includes the step of applying a magnetic field transversely to the arc to impel the arc along the welding gap. The invention permits tubular components to be welded using drawn arc welding, but is useful in welding nuts and other components having a continuous outer surface. The field may be varied to impel the arc between the inner and outer diameters of a tubular member being welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan
  • Publication number: 20020030038
    Abstract: Multiple plasma jet path sensing positions and multiple localized steering magnetic fields for each plasma jet leg in an atmospheric plasma jet control system are described for a precise control over positions of plasma jet legs as well as their directions in a vertex zone, where a hot gas stream is generated for treatment of a semiconductor device. With a plasma jet generator system in accordance with the invention precise control over the plasma jet legs enables one to virtually eliminate plasma jet path instability at the vertex region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Lynn David Bollinger, Iskander Tokmouline
  • Patent number: 6337455
    Abstract: A metal material is formed into a wire material, and an end of the wire material is molten by an electric discharge. A molten sphere formed by the melting of the end is flied by a gas flow. Thus, a material having a high melting point can be ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignees: Xebec International Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6211489
    Abstract: A press welding process which can be used in such industries as car-making, production of hot-water boilers, industrial and civil construction, in construction of pipelines using small and medium diameter pipes, for welding parts with a solid and developed cross-section, as well as for joining parts to form a T-joint. A magnetically impelled arc butt welding is achieved, that, during heating, the controlled continuous displacement of the parts being welded is performed where the gap between the parts edges is kept constant. The value of the welding arc voltage is used as the parameter for the gap size adjustment, and the moment of achievement of the required temperature on the edges of parts being welded, is determined by the length of the relative displacement of the parts, and when the assigned values of displacement have been reached, the speed of the arc movement along the edges of the parts being welded, is programmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
    Inventors: Sergei Ivanovich Kuchuk-Yatsenko, Vadim Yurjevich Ignatenko, Vladimir Stanislavovich Kachinskii, Mikhail Pavlovich Koval
  • Patent number: 6069334
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing an overlay material onto a metal surface. An electroslag strip overlaying process which distributes flux through a trailing flux tube and a forward flux tube eliminates many of the problems associated with electroslag overlaying techniques. The apparatus and method significantly improves the quality of the overlay surface, and permits overlays to be made within the small confines of pipes and pipe fittings having straight or curved surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Dan Capitanescu
  • Patent number: 6040548
    Abstract: A plasma jet generator apparatus enabling effective deflection of the generated plasma jet is described. The apparatus has an electrode chamber having a gas inlet and an outlet and an electrode positioned therein defining an electrode axis. A pair of magnetic deflection systems for deflecting the direction of the plasma flowing from the electrode axis are provided. The magnetic deflection systems are formed from pole pairs which are distributed about the electrode axis such that two magnetic fields that are substantially perpendicular to each other can be generated to deflect the plasma away from the electrode axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: IPEC Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Oleg Siniaguine