Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Robert J Centner

Jeremy L Jansma

Jeffrey G Wells

Robert Lloyd Warning

Duane S Snapp

Robert L Warning

In certain embodiments, a welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip. The welding contact tip also includes a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion. The threaded middle portion includes external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch. The first axial end portion includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the threaded middle portion. In other embodiments, a welding torch assembly includes a gas diffuser having an outer circumferential groove having an outer surface with first and second walls that extend radially outward from first and second opposite axial sides of the outer surface, a nozzle having an inner circumferential rib with a tapered inner surface, and a compressible member disposed within the outer circumferential groove of the gas diffuser and the inner circumferential rib of the nozzle.

Contact tip, gas diffuser, and nozzle for welding torch

An example wire liner retention apparatus includes: a body comprising a bore extending longitudinally through the body, the bore configured to permit passage of a welding wire liner through the bore; a clamp configured to apply a compressive force to the welding wire liner in a radial direction within the bore to limit movement of the welding wire liner with respect to the body; and a compression adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the compressive force applied by the clamp.

Wire liner retention apparatus, welding torches, and methods

A welding torch system includes a receiving assembly to receive a contact tip and a welding nozzle. The welding torch system also includes a locking element that retains the contact tip in a partially secure position. Further, the welding torch system includes the welding nozzle configured to couple to the receiving assembly to retain the contact tip in a fully secure position.

Contact tip and receiving assembly of a welding torch

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.

Tip-retention device for use with a welding system

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).

Nozzle assemblies having multiple attachment methods

Gas diffuser assemblies for nozzle assemblies having multiple attachment methods

Apparatuses, 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.

A removable cooling collar is provided for cooling the nozzle of a welding nozzle. This collar includes first and second parts in fluid communication with a chamber that extends circumferentially within a hollow structure. Cooling fluid circulating through the chamber facilitates dissipation and/or extraction of heat in the nozzle, in turn reducing the likelihood of weld splatter adhesion on the nozzle.

Removable nozzle-cooling mechanism for welding torches

A neck for a welding torch includes a rigid, non-tubular, elongated member having opposite first and second ends. The first end is connectable to a rear portion of the welding torch. The second end is connectable to a welding tip portion of the welding torch. The member locates and holds the welding tip portion in a precisely given location, and does not communicate welding power, welding wire, shielding gas, or cooling water between the first and second ends.

Neck for a robotic welding torch

A welding system having a welding gun. The welding gun is adapted with a trigger. The welding gun may have a lever to lock the trigger in a desired pivoted position. The lever may pivot the trigger as the lever is pivoted. The welding gun may have a trigger extension to enable a user to pivot the trigger by depressing the trigger extension. The trigger extension may be plastically deformed. The trigger extension may be removable. The trigger extension may be rotatable.

System and method for operating and locking a trigger of a welding gun

A welding system having a welding gun with a handle. The handle is adapted to cool the interior of the handle with a flow of air. The handle may be adapted with a plurality of ventilation holes to enable air to pass through the handle. The handle may have a plurality of ribs disposed along the interior of the handle to direct air flow around a conductive member disposed therein. The ribs may be adapted to direct the air to flow radially and/or longitudinally around the interior of the handle.

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Frankfort, IL, United States of America

Robert J Centner