Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

Kenneth Austin Stanzel

Ronald Dewayne Woodward

James Francis Rappl

Bernard J Vogel

Jeffery Ray Ihde

John C Leisner

Jonathan R Ertmer

John C Breitbach

Jeff Lenzner

Bruce Patrick Albrecht

Quinn William Schartner

Anthony Van Bergen Salsich

Andrew David Nelson

Brian Lee Ott

Chris John Roehl

Jeremy Daniel Overesch

Kelley Morrow

Thomas Allen Bunker

Tim A Matus

John H Pilarski

Todd M Heraly

Ronald Woodward

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

A welding system is disclosed in which the rate of advancement of wire electrode is determined automatically. The device can include a control circuit that determines the rate of advancement of the wire electrode in response to a signal from the voltage selection device of the welding system. Depending upon the operator selected voltage which is selected via the voltage selection device, the control circuit will determine the appropriate rate of wire electrode advancement and control the advancement mechanism (e.g., electric motor) accordingly. Linking of the voltage level and wire-feed speed controls facilities easy of use for more novice operators and, furthermore, facilitates single-handed adjustment of two operational parameters during a welding process.

Welding wire feed speed control system and method

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.

Various welding systems that provide communication over auxiliary or weld power lines are provided. The disclosed embodiments may include a multi-process welding power supply that is communicatively coupled to a pendant via an auxiliary conduit that facilitates the exchange of data and power between components of the welding system. In some embodiments, the pendant may also include auxiliary outlets that allow an operator to power auxiliary devices at the weld location. The disclosed embodiments further include a pendant with a wire spool and wire feeder drive circuitry that is configured to activate spooling during MIG welding. Embodiments are provided that also allow for bidirectional data communication over a power line in networked welding systems.

Welding system with power line communication

In one embodiment, a system is provided with a welding wire feeder that includes a first wheel having a first rotational direction, and a second wheel having a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction. The first and second wheels are disposed compressively about a wire feed region, and the first and second wheels are drivingly coupled together to output substantially equal tangential speeds in the wire feed region. In addition, the first wheel, or the second wheel, or both the first and second wheels comprise a drive wheel directly coupled to a gear without separately coupling both the drive wheel and the gear to a shaft.

Welding wire feed system and method

A system for controlling a welding operation provides for open-loop control of voltage applied to a wire electrode during an initial arc initiation stage of operation. The voltage may be based upon an operator set voltage. Electrode wire feed speeds may be varied during the same period. The voltage may be changed, but still open-loop controlled after initial contact between the electrode and a workpiece. The control transitions from open-loop to closed loop following the arc initiation stage, which may be a fixed interval or varied based upon various factors. Closed-loop voltage control then ensues, in which voltage may be limited to values based upon the initial open-loop voltage. The voltage may be regulated by control of SCR firing angles, such as by reference to a zero-crossing of an input AC waveform.

MIG welder control system and method

Welding wire feed speed control system method

In one embodiment, a system is provided with a welding wire feeder that a first wheel having a first rotational direction, and a second wheel having a rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction. The first and wheels are disposed compressively about a wire feed region, and the first and wheels are drivingly coupled together to output substantially equal tangential in the wire feed region. In addition, the first wheel, or the second wheel, or first and second wheels comprise a drive wheel directly coupled to a gear separately coupling both the drive wheel and the gear to a shaft.

A spool gun having a quick connector connectable to an electrical power source and a gas source is disclosed. A connection line extends from the spool gun and is attached to a connector. The connector both fluidly connects the spool gun to a shielding gas source and electrically connects the spool gun to a power source constructed to generate a welding-type power. Such a spool gun is quickly and efficiently connectable to the gas and power systems required for performing welding processes.

Spool gun having unitary shielding gas and weld power connector

A welder having an internal shielding gas regulator is disclosed. The welder has an internal gas cylinder and an internal regulator disposed in an enclosure. The welder may be equipped with an auxiliary shielding gas cylinder inlet so that a bulk shielding gas cylinder can be attached thereto and have a flow therefrom regulated by the internal shielding gas regulator. The welder constructed according to the invention is highly transportable, compact, and self-sufficient.

Welder with internal shielding gas regulator

A welding-type device and gas system for use therewith are disclosed. The gas system of the welding-type device includes a canister that is constructed to contain a shielding gas therein and is connectable to the welding-type device. The canister is sized to be mounted to the welding-type device when it is attached thereto such that the welding-type device can be efficiently and conveniently transported from one location to another with the source of shielding gas securely affixed thereto.

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Kenneth Austin Stanzel