Illinois Tool Works Inc.

James Francis Rappl

Jeffery Ray Ihde

Thomas Don Lahti

Todd Earl Holverson

Joseph Edward Feldhausen

Kenneth Austin Stanzel

Clay Alan Byron

Michael Hilary Novak

John C Leisner

William Joshua Becker

Bruce Patrick Albrecht

Robert Raimund Davidson

Joseph C Schneider

Quinn William Schartner

Thomas Allen Bunker

Anthony Van Bergen Salsich

Andrew David Nelson

Brian Lee Ott

Jeremy Daniel Overesch

Jeffrey Ray Ihde

Timothy Jay Reitmeyer

Timothy Nathan Temby

Todd Holverson

James Lee Uecker

Mitchell James Muske

L Thomas Hayes

Thomas D Ihde

James Olejnizak

Clay A Byron

Timothy Temby

Michael Novak

Apparatus and methods for welding asset tracking with heartbeat monitoring are disclosed. In some examples, a welding asset tracking system may comprise an asset tracking network of tags, hubs, and/or gateways retained by welding assets within a welding area. The welding asset tracking system may generate heartbeat signals that certain welding assets may require for normal operation, so as to ensure the welding assets are used in appropriate welding contexts and/or welding areas. In some examples, information obtained from the asset tracking network may be used to determine whether one or more heartbeat signals should be discontinued.

Welding asset tracking with heartbeat monitoring

Described herein are examples of smart welding helmets with arc time tracking verification and lens maintenance detection. In some examples, the arc time tracking verification checks whether certain conditions are satisfied before tracking the arc time. This may make arc time tracking more reliable by preventing tracking during certain false positive arc detection scenarios. In some examples, the lens maintenance detection notifies an operator to clean and/or replace their lens when the lens becomes substantially occluded (e.g., due to weld spatter) and/or has been in use for a certain amount of time (and/or arc time). This may assist operators who become too engrossed in their work to notice the gradual diminishment in visibility that can be caused by slow build up of weld spatter, debris, and/or other particulates on the cover lens.

Smart welding helmets with arc time tracking verification and lens maintenance detection

Described herein are examples of smart helmet modules that can be affixed to conventional welding helmets. In some examples, a smart helmet module may include one or more sensors configured to detect if/when welding is occurring, and/or whether a welding helmet is being worn in an up or down position, or not at all. In some examples, a smart helmet module may include one or more helmet devices configured to automatically activate or deactivate based on whether welding is taking place and/or the welding helmet is being worn up, down, or not at all.

Smart welding helmet modules with adaptable helmet devices

Systems and methods for selecting a welding process are disclosed. An example welding power supply is configured to: provide welding power for welding; receive a communication from a remote device over a weld cable, wherein the communication corresponds to a detected welding output polarity; and automatically set a new welding process based on a current welding process of the welding power supply and the received communication.

Systems and methods for selecting a welding process

Systems and methods for welding asset tracking are disclosed. In some examples, a welding asset tracking system may comprise an asset tracking network of tags, hubs, and/or gateways retained by welding assets within a welding area. The asset tracking network may obtain and/or communicate to an asset tracking server welding data related to one or more of the welding assets, as well as position data obtained via an internal and/or external positioning system. In this way, the welding asset tracking server may continually receive updated information regarding each welding assets identity, location, and/or use. The asset tracking server may additionally send a command to a selected welding asset that causes an interface of the selected welding asset to emit an output that enables an operator to physically identify the welding asset.

Systems and methods for welding asset identification

Systems, methods, and apparatus to weld by preheating welding wire and inductively heating a workpiece are disclosed. An example welding system includes: a welding current source configured to provide welding current to a welding circuit, the welding circuit comprising an electrode wire 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 wire via a second contact tip of the welding torch; and at least one induction heating coil configured to apply induction heat to a workpiece, the welding current source, the electrode preheating circuit, and the induction heating coil configured to perform a preheating operation and a welding operation on the workpiece.

Systems, methods, and apparatus to weld by preheating welding wire and inductively heating a workpiece

A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a means for communicating.

Weld cell system with communication

A voltage sensing wire feeder includes a storage device and a user interface. The user interface is configured to receive a first selection and a second selection. The first selection is configured to direct the voltage sensing wire feeder to use a first group of settings stored in the storage device, and the second selection is configured to direct the voltage sensing wire feeder to use a second group of settings stored in the storage device.

Voltage sensing wire feeder with weld procedure memories

A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a means for communicating and a means for locating a cable. A welding power supply has a controller, a power circuit and a weld cable locator module with a cable locator output connected to the controller, the power circuit, and/or a weld cable connection. The distal end of the cable is located, and the proximal end is connected to the power supply. An identifying signal is provided to the proximal end and transmitted to the distal end where it is detected. A pendant with a cable sensor and a transmitter responsive to the cable sensor can be provided. The cable sensor can include an RFID reader and/or a bar code reader.

A method includes detecting whether a wire feeder is in communication with a welding power supply. The method also includes detecting a current welding process of the welding power supply if the wire feeder is in communication with the welding power supply. The method includes determining, at the wire feeder, a welding output polarity. The method also includes setting a new welding process based on the current welding process and the welding output polarity without a user selecting the new welding process.

A weld electrical and gas connector with sealed gas flow is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a welding cable connector system includes a male connector having a conductive body for conveying welding power. The male connector includes a sealed passageway disposed coaxially of the conductive body for conveying shielding gas, and a gas sealing valve configured to seat to stop flow of shielding gas when the male connector is not engaged. The system also includes a female connector having a conductive body for conveying welding power. The female connector includes a sealed passageway disposed coaxially of the conductive body for conveying shielding gas, and a gas sealing valve configured to seat to stop flow of shielding gas when the female connector is not engaged. The male and female connectors are mutually engageable to conduct welding power and shielding gas therethrough.

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

James Francis Rappl