Welding Patents (Class 219/136)
  • Patent number: 12290887
    Abstract: An example welding wire feeder includes: a push motor configured to feed welding wire from a wire source; a first sensor configured to provide push motor velocity feedback; and control circuitry configured to control the push motor and a pull motor of a welding torch coupled to the welding wire feeder by: controlling a push motor velocity of the push motor and a pull motor velocity of the pull motor based on a target wire feed speed; and compensating each of the push motor velocity of the push motor and the pull motor velocity of the pull motor based on the push motor velocity feedback and based on pull motor velocity feedback, wherein the push motor velocity and the pull motor velocity are based on a target wire tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Marc S. Petit, Todd G. Batzler, Charles J. Romenesko
  • Patent number: 12275098
    Abstract: A tool less method of connecting a welding-type power source with a cart is disclosed. In some examples, the cart may be configured to carry one or more gas bottles (and/or cylinders). In some examples, the power source housing and the cart may connect at interfacing ends and/or walls of the housing and cart. A connector, such as a clip for example, may span the interface to connect the power source housing and the cart. Catches (e.g. slots, holes, crevices, and/or protrusions) may be formed in and/or on the power supply housing and/or cart proximate to the interfacing ends and/or walls. In some examples, the catches may be aligned. In some examples, the cart and/or power source housing may include alignment surfaces to assist with alignment. The connector may engage the aligned catches to connect the welding-type power source and cart together at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas James Dessart, Adam Richard Schmitz, Chris J. Roehl, Scott R. Rozmarynowski
  • Patent number: 12275088
    Abstract: A laser processing head includes first and second contact points connected to a power source. The power source generates a current to flow through an electrode wire between the first and second contact points to heat the electrode wire. A laser source generates one or more laser beams having lasing power sufficient to at least partially melt the electrode wire. A coaxial laser head focuses the one or more laser beams at one or more focal points on a workpiece to at least partially melt the electrode wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Inventors: Shuang Liu, Erik Miller
  • Patent number: 12256483
    Abstract: A torch having a replaceable trigger module is disclosed. The trigger module includes a housing defining a cavity; a trigger operatively coupled to the housing; and a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to be electrically coupled to one or more accessories. The PCB and the one or more accessories are disposed at least partially in the cavity and are coupled to the housing so that coupling the housing to a torch handle mechanically couples the PCB and trigger to the torch handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: ESAB AB
    Inventor: Marc A. Hartel
  • Patent number: 12233492
    Abstract: A removable arc welding torch head having a variable electrode receiving aperture that includes a number of discrete, slidable wedges guided within a conical interior surface to enable the head to be used with electrodes of various diameters without changing components of the torch head. The removable nature of the torch, while providing for adequate flow of inert gas, provides an adjusting collar that engages the wedges and forms an adjustable opening for an electrode to be inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Inventor: Jesse Rogers
  • Patent number: 12220773
    Abstract: A welding system (1) comprising a main module (2) equipped with an external casing (3) in which an inlet port (4) for the connection to an external electric power source, an electric generator (5) configured to adapt the electrical characteristics of the electric power received at the inlet to a first type of welding, an outlet port (6) for the connection by means of an electric conductor (10) to a welding torch (20) and an electronic control unit (7) configured to control the functionality of the electric generator (5) are identified. The welding system also comprises a welding torch (20) configured to be connected by means of the electrical conductor (10) to the outlet port (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignees: SHENZHEN JASIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., JASIC TECHNOLOGY EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lei Pan, Maurizio Terzo, Enrico Cortelazzo
  • Patent number: 12208476
    Abstract: A contact tip assembly with a preheating tip comprises a welding-type power source configured to provide welding-type current to a welding-type circuit, the welding-type circuit comprising a welding-type electrode and a first contact tip of a welding torch; an electrode preheating circuit configured to provide preheating current through a first portion of the electrode via a second contact tip of the welding torch; and a preheat controller to: monitor a voltage drop across a second portion of the electrode; adjust at least one of the welding-type current or the preheating current based on the voltage drop, the second portion of the electrode comprising at least part of the first portion of the electrode; and control the preheating current based on a hydrogen reduction goal and based on stored parameters associated with a type of the electrode, a chemistry of the electrode, or a wire size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jake Zwayer, Steven Barhorst, James Lee Uecker, Christopher Hsu, Dennis Sigl, Jon Michael Patterson
  • Patent number: 12194559
    Abstract: A method of welding a workpiece assembly includes positioning a flange adjacent to a web to form a workpiece assembly having an interface between a flange edge surface and a web side surface, and in which a web edge portion protrudes beyond a flange front surface on a front side of the workpiece assembly. The method additionally includes constraining the flange and the web against movement, and moving a plasma arc welding (PAW) torch, located on the front side of the workpiece assembly, along a lengthwise direction of the interface, while causing a plasma arc to pass through a flange edge portion and the web side surface, and generate molten material that joins the flange to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Shemkunas, Gary W. Coleman, Ryan J. Glamm, Gregory E. Trepus, Chul Y. Park
  • Patent number: 12174620
    Abstract: An information presentation method is an information presentation method of an identifier managed by a welding system. The information presentation method includes: selecting, from information on identifiers assigned to a plurality of original workpieces, information on an identifier of a welded workpiece to be produced by a welding process using the plurality of original workpieces; and after the selecting, outputting an alert in a case in which, among identification signs on which information on identifiers arranged in the plurality of original workpieces are readable, an identification sign corresponding to an identifier that has not been selected is read by a reading device, and presenting the information on the identifier that has been selected in a case in which an identification sign corresponding to the identifier that has been selected is read by the reading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takamichi Komatsu, Toshinari Mohri, Kazuki Hanada, Kazuyuki Nakashima
  • Patent number: 12172248
    Abstract: An example welding cable connector system comprises: a male connector comprising a first conductive body for conveying welding power, a first sealed passageway disposed coaxially of the first conductive body for conveying shielding gas, and a first preassembled valve assembly coupled to threads within the first sealed passageway and configured to stop flow of the shielding gas when the male connector is not engaged; and a female connector comprising a second conductive body for conveying the welding power, a second sealed passageway disposed coaxially of the conductive body for conveying the shielding gas, and a second preassembled valve assembly coupled to threads within the second sealed passageway and configured to stop the flow of the shielding gas when the female connector is not engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Ray Ihde, Thomas Don Lahti
  • Patent number: 12162105
    Abstract: An anti-spatter spray containment system includes: an enclosure having a nozzle insertion orifice on a first side and a drain orifice on a second side of the enclosure; a spray nozzle configured to spray fluid toward a nozzle inserted into the nozzle insertion orifice, wherein the enclosure is configured to funnel the fluid in a direction toward the second side; and a baffle configured to block at least a first portion of sprayed fluid from the spray nozzle from exiting the enclosure via the nozzle insertion orifice, the first side configured to block at least a second portion of the sprayed fluid from the spray nozzle that is not blocked by the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jagdev Singh Khakh, Jeffrey G. Wells, Bradley Eugene Whipple
  • Patent number: 12038332
    Abstract: A torch base is disclosed that is configured to receive and support a (hand-held) torch (e.g., a butane torch) during a variety of activities. The torch base includes: a body; a temperature reader (gauge); and a control unit. The body is configured for releasable connection to a torch and includes a receptacle defining a chamber that is configured to removably receive the torch such that the torch is repeatably connectable to and disconnectable from the body (e.g., via insertion into and removal from the receptacle). The temperature reader (gauge) is connected to the body and is configured to measure a surface temperature (of the article being heated by the torch). The control unit is supported by the body and is in communication with the temperature reader. The control unit is configured to display the surface temperature measured by the temperature reader, which provides a safeguard against overheating of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Inventor: Ilan Daniel Adir
  • Patent number: 12005948
    Abstract: Provided is a configurable handle for a work equipment. The work equipment, which may be a welding power source, can comprise a body, and a power conversion circuitry within the body. The power conversion circuitry is configured to convert input power to welding-type power. The work equipment comprises one or more handles attached to the body for physical manipulation of the work equipment, where at least one of the handles is configured to be oriented to any of a plurality of different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Bornemann, Andrew Pfaller
  • Patent number: 11986861
    Abstract: Provided for herein is an apparatus that includes a machine-side connection housing. The machine-side connection housing includes a machine-side connection configured to provide a welding consumable or an electrical connection to a welding/cutting torch head. The apparatus also includes a fume extraction connection housing that includes a fume extraction connection to a fume extraction device. A flexible connection is arranged between the machine-side connection housing and the fume extraction connection housing. A seal that includes a first orifice is arranged between the fume extraction connection and the machine-side connection. Finally, a conduit, configured to connect the machine-side connection to the welding/cutting torch head, is arranged to pass through the first orifice, through the flexible connection and through the fume extraction connection housing to the welding/cutting torch head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: The ESAB Group Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Binzel, Marc A. Hartel
  • Patent number: 11980978
    Abstract: A system for controlling multiple wire feed motors for use in a welding-type system including a push motor controlled to operate at a target wire feed speed and a pull motor disposed in a welding torch controlled to apply a target torque to the fed welding wire. Such a system eliminates shaving and bird nesting of welding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Steven Knoener
  • Patent number: 11951574
    Abstract: A display system for a welding helmet that includes a darkening filter layer, a high-dynamic range (HDR) camera system to capture an HDR light field, and an optical image stabilization subsystem. Captured images are displayed on an HDR electronic display within the welding helmet without risk of overexposure of ultraviolet radiation to the operator. In some examples, dual electronic displays are used to display different HDR images to each eye of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Collin Stoner
  • Patent number: 11919241
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for designing a nozzle for jetting printing material in a printing system including selecting a surface tension and viscosity of a printing material at a jetting temperature, selecting a drop volume of the printing material, and constructing a constricted axisymmetric dissipative section of the nozzle, which may include defining a length of the constricted axisymmetric dissipative section and defining a cross-sectional area of the constricted axisymmetric dissipative section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christoforos Somarakis, Svyatoslav Korneev, Saigopal Nelaturi, Adrian Lew
  • Patent number: 11911857
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and systems to determine voltage measurements in welding-type applications to facilitate control of welding-type processes. Disclosed systems include a remote operations interface configured to facilitate voltage measurements in welding-type applications and facilitate communication between a welding-type power supply and a wire feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Zhang, Adam E. Anders
  • Patent number: 11897062
    Abstract: An example contact tip for a welding torch includes: a first body section having a first diameter and exterior threads, the first body section having channels extending longitudinally along an exterior surface of the first body section to permit gas flow from a first end of the contact tip to a second end of the contact tip through the channels; a first bore portion having a first inner diameter; and a second bore portion having a second inner diameter configured to contact an electrode wire traveling through the second bore portion, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James Uecker, Jake Zwayer
  • Patent number: 11848526
    Abstract: A portable welding ground attachment system used to attach a welding ground clamp (also called a work clamp or work cable) of an arc welder to a workpiece to be welded. The system is particularly useful in establishing positive connections between a work cable and extended lengths of pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Bryan Trussell
  • Patent number: 11839015
    Abstract: Consumables for cutting torches include a distributor, an electrode, and a nozzle. The distributor defines a plurality of ports that extend from an internal cavity of the distributor to an exterior surface of the distributor. The electrode is disposed within and irremovably, fixedly coupled to the distributor. The nozzle defines at least one set of passageways that direct gas into a gap defined between the electrode and the nozzle, the nozzle being irremovably, fixedly coupled to the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: The ESAB Group Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nadler, Maximilian Dougherty, Kevin Horner-Richardson, Auston Maynard, Andrew J. Raymond
  • Patent number: 11833624
    Abstract: A welding system or an enterprise using welding systems can communicate with cloud-based resources for the provision of services and products to facilitate the welding operations. The communications may be via wired or wireless media, and may be direct, or through other components, such as enterprise networks, peripheral devices, and so forth. The cloud-based resources may provide for storage of data, particularly welding data, processing of data, welding protocols, specifications and processes, financial transactions for the purchase, licensing or use of welding-related products and services, welding training, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Martin Hutchison
  • Patent number: 11833626
    Abstract: A welding tip includes a tip body having a wire insertion bore along a central axis and a leaf spring configured to press a welding wire onto a feeding point disposed on an inner surface of the wire insertion bore. The tip body 1a has an aperture on an outer circumferential surface on the distal end side. The leaf spring has a first end that is a free end disposed on the distal end side of the tip body and a second end fixed to the tip body. The aperture includes a first aperture accommodating the leaf spring and second apertures disposed in communication with the first aperture and configured to discharge wear particles created during welding to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11806807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laser welding method for a secondary battery, in which a first electrode substrate tab and a second electrode substrate tab are laser-welded onto a first electrode uncoated region of a first electrode plate and a second electrode uncoated region of a second electrode plate, respectively, wherein the first electrode substrate tab and the second electrode substrate tab are fusion-bonded with a laser beam so as to have a preset welding pattern at welding portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Gyu An, Hyung Bin Park, Hee Dong Jung, Jin Gyu Heo, Myung Jun Park, Jae Hoon Roh, Sang Hyun Ryu, Seong Bae An
  • Patent number: 11673593
    Abstract: A welding cart with a cable management system may include a frame, a shelf adapted to support a welding machine, a plurality of upright members, a plurality of wheels supporting the cart, one or more pairs of holders disposed on one or more sides of the cart, and a removable bar that may be releasably secured to the one or more pairs of holders. The bar may be releasably secured to the holders via a pin-and-hole mechanism and may have a hook adapated to hold welding equipment such as cables. The bar may be releasably secured to a first pair of holders disposed on a side of the cart or a second pair of holders disposed on another side of the cart. This system provides additional, easily accessible storage space for welding tools and accessories while still being compatible with a wide variety of portable welding machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Harbor Freight Tools
    Inventors: Ryan Lewis, Jonathan Cardenas, Anthony Ponce
  • Patent number: 11571763
    Abstract: A GTAW system and a welding method suitable for ultra-narrow gaps, and belongs to the technical field of narrow gap welding. The device includes a argon arc welding machine, a GTAW torch, a welding trolley, a wire feeding device, and a gas protection device. The GTAW torch includes a rotating motor, a rotating tungsten, a conductive system, and a gas supply system. The non-axisymmetric rotating tungsten is drived by the rotating motor through the central rotating shaft. The conductive system is used for connecting and supplying electric power from the argon arc welding machine, and the air supply system is used for providing shielding gas into the welding torch. The GTAW torch is fixed on the welding trolley, and the GTAW torch is moved by the welding trolley, and the wire feeding device moves synchronously with the welding torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chuanbao Jia, Wei Wu, Bin Wei, Sachin Mishra, Jihui Zhou
  • Patent number: 11498142
    Abstract: A wire dispenser for a laser metal wire deposition machine comprises a longitudinal duct for guiding a wire from a proximal end to a distal end of the duct. A nozzle unit is connected to the distal end of the duct and has a through bore for receiving the wire from the distal end of the duct and for discharging the wire adjacent to a laser metal wire deposition site. The nozzle unit includes a cooling circuit for a cooling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: GKN AEROSPACE SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Johan Käll
  • Patent number: 11453077
    Abstract: A system for and a method of controlling a filler wire and/or an heat source is provided. The system includes a high intensity energy source configured to heat at least one workpiece to create a molten puddle on a surface of the at least one workpiece. A filler wire feeder is configured to feed a filler wire into said molten puddle, and a travel direction controller is configured to advance the high intensity energy source and the filler wire in a travel direction to deposit the filler wire on the at least one workpiece. The system also includes a controller configured to move the filler wire and/or the energy source in at least a first direction during the feeding and advancing of the filler wire. At least the first direction is controlled to obtain a desired shape, profile, height, size, or admixture of a bead formed by the molten puddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Elliott R. Ash
  • Patent number: 11426813
    Abstract: A welding or additive manufacturing wire drive system includes a first spindle for a first welding wire spool, a second spindle for a second welding wire spool, a first drive roll, and a second drive roll. One or both of the drive rolls has a circumferential groove. A first welding wire and a second welding wire are located between the first drive roll and the second drive roll in the circumferential groove. The first welding wire contacts the second welding wire between the first drive roll and the second drive roll. The first welding wire further contacts a first sidewall portion of the circumferential groove. The second welding wire further contacts a second sidewall portion of the circumferential groove. Both of the first welding wire and the second welding wire are radially offset from a central portion of the circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Bradford W. Petot, Elliott R. Ash, Kent R. Johns, Vincent D. Casella, Steven R. Peters, Alexander C. Mehlman, Matthew A. Weeks
  • Patent number: 11400537
    Abstract: Systems and methods for labeling non-welding time periods using machine learning techniques are described. In some examples, a weld monitoring system may collect various data from sensors and/or welding equipment in a welding area over a time period. The data may evaluated to divide the time period into welding time periods and non-welding time periods. The weld monitoring system may use one or more machine learning models and/or techniques in combination with the collected data to determine what non-welding activities took place during the non-welding time periods. In some examples, the machine learning models may be continuously trained, updated, and/or improved using feedback from operators and/or other individuals, data from ongoing welding and/or non-welding activities, as well as data from other weld monitoring systems and/or machine learning models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Ivkovich
  • Patent number: 11400535
    Abstract: A method for producing a built-up object, includes: producing maps beforehand, the maps indicating bead heights BH and bead widths BW corresponding to a base-surface inclination angle ? and a track inclination angle ?, in which the base-surface inclination angle is an angle between a base surface on which the weld beads are to be formed and a vertical direction, and the track inclination angle is an angle between a track direction of the torch and a vertical direction on the base surface; selecting a bead height BH0 and a bead width BW0 from the maps correspondingly to the base-surface inclination angle ? and the track inclination angle ? in forming a weld bead on the base surface; and forming the weld bead based on the selected bead height BH0 and bead width BW0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: KOBE STEEL, LTD.
    Inventors: Takemasa Yamasaki, Shinji Sato, Takeshi Yamada, Tatsuya Fujii
  • Patent number: 11370053
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure provides a welding torch that includes a torch head and a torch body removably connected to the torch head. The torch head includes first and second torch-head flow paths for flowing cooling water, first and second inlets/outlets communicating with the first and second torch-head flow paths, respectively, and a movable part movable in an axial direction of the torch head. The torch body includes a torch-body flow path for flowing cooling water, and first and second connection ports communicating with opposite ends of the torch-body flow path, respectively. The first and second inlets/outlets communicate with the first and second connection ports, respectively, when the torch head and the torch body are connected to each other. The first and second inlets/outlets are closed with the movable part when the torch head and the torch body are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: DAIHEN Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsushi Minamoto, Yukiya Morita, Yoshiaki Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 11345017
    Abstract: A cable-mounted object, such as a camera, is movable using one or more robotic cable mounts. The robotic cable mounts have a head which support a first portion of the cable. The head is movable in three-dimensional space, such as linearly along three orthogonal axis (or combinations thereof). Changes in the position of the head of the robotic mount change the position of the cable, thus changing the position of the cable-mounted object. In one embodiment, two ends of cable may be connected to first and second robotic cable mounts, or an object might be mounted to multiple cables, each of which is connected to a different robotic mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Andrew Flessas
  • Patent number: 11338383
    Abstract: A tungsten inert gas welding torch body, a TIG welding torch handle, and a TIG welding torch has a gas channel terminating in front of the distal end of a plug-in element in an inlet opening arranged on the shell side of the plug-in element, and a central inlet mouth at the distal end of the plug-in element terminating in front of the distal end of the plug-in element in a return opening on the shell side at the plug-in element. The TIG welding torch handle has a second channel arranged coaxially to the central channel, and a third channel arranged coaxially to the second channel. A connection is between the second channel and the third channel. The first channel has a mouth in the center of the receiving part, and each of the second and third channels has a mouth on the shell side of the receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: David Preundler, Klaus Oberndorfer, Anton Preundler, Alexander Zeitlinger
  • Patent number: 11331742
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flux-cored wire including a steel sheath and a flux that fills the steel sheath. The flux contains fluorides of which a total value ? of F-equivalent values is 0.21% or more, oxides of which the total value ? of amounts ranges from 0.30% to less than 3.50%, and carbonates of which a total value of amounts ranges from 0% to 3.50%. An amount of CaO ranges from 0% to less than 0.20%. An amount of iron powder ranges from 0% to less than 10.0%. A X-value is 5.0% or less. The amount of CaF2 is less than 0.50%. The amount of Ti oxides ranges from 0.10% to less than 2.50%. A ratio of ? to ? ranges from 0.10 to 4.00. A total value of amounts of MgCO3, Na2CO3, and LiCO3 ranges from 0% to 3.00%. Other chemical composition is within a predetermined range. Ceq ranges from 0.45% to 1.20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kotaro Watanabe, Tatsuya Kumagai, Hiroki Fujimoto, Yasuhito Totsuka
  • Patent number: 11278982
    Abstract: A welding power system including a controller with (a) a data input device via which a an operator can input parameters relating to a volume of an interior of one more pieces to be welded and (b) that calculates and outputs a purge time, the purge time being a time period needed to replace an atmosphere within the volume with a purge gas at a predetermined flow rate of the purge gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Steven Kadlec
  • Patent number: 11247290
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to preheat weld wire are disclosed. An example welding torch includes a first contact tip configured to conduct welding current to a consumable electrode, a second contact tip configured to conduct preheating current to the consumable electrode, and a plurality of liquid cooling assemblies configured to conduct the preheating current and to conduct the welding current to the consumable electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Roland Sigl, James Lee Uecker, Jake Zwayer, Nicholas Matiash, Jeffrey Wells, Nauman Basit
  • Patent number: 11220011
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-jointed welding robot that includes: a rotating part that is rotatably provided on a base that is fixed to an installation surface; and a multi-jointed arm that is coupled to the rotating part via a first driving shaft and has a plurality of arm parts. An opening is formed in the rotating part through which a routing member, which is routed inside the rotating part, is guided from part of the rotating part toward the side opposite the installation surface. A guide member guides the routing member, which has one end fixed to the opening and which is guided through the opening, toward the installation surface from the other end of the routing member while bending the routing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sakurai, Yuki Shika, Motoaki Murakami, Taichi Igarashi, Tatsuji Minato
  • Patent number: 11192202
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 11131978
    Abstract: A metal fabrication resource performance monitoring method includes collecting data representative of a parameter sampled during one or more metal fabrication operations of one or more metal fabrication resources, the one or more resources being selectable by a user from a listing of individual and groups of resources, receiving event data comprising a time that an event occurred, via at least one computer processor, determining a first analyzed system parameter from the collected data, via the at least one computer processor, populating a dashboard page with graphical indicia representative of the first analyzed system parameter before and after the event, and transmitting the dashboard page to a user-viewable display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Todd Earl Holverson, Caleb Robert Krisher, Adam Kirk Pliska
  • Patent number: 11077515
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a welding torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle, a contact tip, and a gas diffuser assembly. The gas diffuser assembly comprises a gas diffuser, coupled to an insulator. The gas diffuser is also coupled to a gooseneck and the contact tip. The nozzle is coupled to the gas diffuser assembly, such that the contact tip is retained within the nozzle. The nozzle and gas diffuser assembly further include complementary engagement features to couple the nozzle to the gas diffuser assembly. The nozzle also includes a spatter deflector configured to deflect or block spatter from obstructing gas holes of the gas diffuser assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Eugene Whipple, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 11033979
    Abstract: There is provided an arc welding control method of performing a forward/reverse feeding control of alternating a feeding rate of a welding wire between a forward feeding period and a reverse feeding period, and generating short-circuiting periods and arc periods to perform welding. The welding wire is fed forwardly at a time of staring the welding. The forward/reverse feeding control is started from the reverse feeding period of the welding wire after starting conduction of a welding current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DAIHEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Ide
  • Patent number: 11020813
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to reduce cast in a welding wire are disclosed. Example systems to reduce cast in a welding wire include a wire advancement roller configured to advance welding wire from a welding wire supply toward a welding torch; and a wire straightener configured to reduce cast in the welding wire by applying heat to the welding wire between the welding wire supply and the welding torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Will, Jake Zwayer
  • Patent number: 11014186
    Abstract: An arc welding method preforms reciprocating wire feed so as to alternately perform forward feed and reverse feed. The arc welding method includes a normal arc welding step, a normal short circuit welding step, and an abnormal arc welding step. In the abnormal arc welding step, a short circuit state occurs at a second time point, which is before a lapse of a second period from a first time point at which an arc state occurs. Further, in the abnormal arc welding step, the reciprocating wire feed continues until a third time point after a lapse of a first period from the second time point. At the third time point, the reciprocating wire feed is stopped and the abnormal arc welding step is completed. From the third time point, the welding wire is decelerated and the reciprocating wire feed is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaito Matsui, Atsuhiro Kawamoto, Junji Fujiwara, Akira Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10994371
    Abstract: A system and method depositing metal to form a three-dimensional (3D) part on a substrate. A wire is moved relative to a location on the substrate while a laser heats a proximal end of the wire at the location using a laser beam. The laser causes the wire and substrate to reach a melting point of the wire to fuse the wire at the location on the substrate. The wire can be preheated by passing a current through the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William S Yerazunis, John C Barnwell, III, William T Vetterling
  • Patent number: 10967451
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control hot-start weld current for arc ignition are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter to output welding-type current, a temperature monitor to determine a temperature of an electrode using at least one of a temperature measurement or a thermal model, and a current controller to control a hot-start weld current output by the power converter based on the temperature of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Craig Steven Knoener, Zach MacMullen, Charles Ace Tyler, Lucas Charles Johnson
  • Patent number: 10960482
    Abstract: A diffuser insert is provided for use with a welding diffuser and contact tip assembly comprising a diffuser with an interior chamber configured to receive a wire conduit that supplies electrode wire and a shielding gas used during a welding operation and a contact tip coupled to the diffuser and configured to receive electrode wire. The diffuser insert comprises a diffuser insert body configured to be disposed within the interior chamber of the diffuser, and further comprises an insert bore extending therethrough configured to receive electrode wire. An outer periphery of the diffuser insert has at least one surface feature configured to manipulate a flow of said shielding gas from within said interior chamber of the diffuser and out of exit passages to thereby direct said flow of shielding gas about a molten welding puddle formed during a welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Meess, Jeffrey Kachline
  • Patent number: 10906114
    Abstract: A welding system includes a power supply configured to output power to a welding device. The power supply is configured to alternate the power output between an arc phase and a hotwire phase. The power output in the arc phase produces an arc between a welding electrode and a workpiece, and the power output in the hotwire phase heats the welding electrode without producing an arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Martin Hutchison, Kevin Michael Scott
  • Patent number: 10882133
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10857677
    Abstract: A tip attachment is disclosed. The tip attachment may an attachment body including a recess to fit on or in a tip of a device during programming of a robotic device. The attachment body may be structured such that the attachment body defines a set of angles of the tip during the programming of the robotic device. The recess may be sized such that the recess defines a distance between the tip and a workpiece during the programming of the robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Hammar, Craig Habeger, Michael Noble, William Barnickel, Joshua Geary