Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Thomas Don Lahti

Jeffery Ray Ihde

James Francis Rappl

Joseph Edward Feldhausen

Nicholas James Dessart

Nicholas Alexander Matiash

Jon M Patterson

Brian James Bornemann

Todd Richard Henry

Timothy Jay Reitmeyer

Jeffrey Ray Ihde

Michael Hilary Novak

Clay Alan Byron

Richard W Beeson

Mark Richard Christopher

William R Giese

Erik Miller

Michael Todd Klegin

Gary A Thyssen

Michael P Vandenberg

Edward J Crum

Jon Michael Patterson

Nicolas A Matiash

Welding device

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.

Weld electrical and gas connector with sealed gas flow

A welding cable connector system having a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a first conductive body for conveying welding power. The male connector also includes a first sealed passageway disposed coaxially of the first conductive body for conveying shielding gas, and a first Schrader valve configured to stop flow of shielding gas when the male connector is not engaged. The female connector includes a second conductive body for conveying welding power. The female connector also includes a second sealed passageway disposed coaxially of the conductive body for conveying shielding gas, and a second Schrader valve configured 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. The first and second Schrader valves seal the flow of shielding gas when the connectors are not mutually engaged.

Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for securing and unsecuring a wire feeder in an automatic welding system without using tools are disclosed. The welding system can include, for example, a robotic arm with a welding torch, an adaptor, and a wire feeder. The adaptor can include, for example, a quick-disconnect member located on the robotic arm. The wire feeder that can be removed from the adaptor after the quick-disconnect member has been actuated. The wire feeder can be installed and secured with tools by placing the wire feeder in the actuator and actuating the quick-disconnect member of the actuator.

Quick-change wire feeder

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 wire conveying mechanism, preferably for a welding, cladding or additive manufacturing apparatus, with a slip clutch mechanism connectable to a motor. Such a wire conveying mechanism may include a wire feeder for feeding an electrode wire in a welding system having a drive roller assembly comprising a plurality of drive rollers to grip the electrode wire and to pull the electrode wire from an electrode wire source toward a conduit and a torque-managing device operatively coupled between a motor and the drive roller assembly, wherein the torque-managing device receives the rotational force from the first motor and regulates the first torque to output a second torque to the drive roller assembly.

Wire feeder for welding

A drive roll carrier includes a hub coupled to and extending axially from a gear along a rotational axis, an engagement feature coupled to and extending axially from the gear, and a retainer disposed about the hub. The gear is rotatable via a wire feed motor. The engagement feature is configured to engage the drive roll and urge rotation of the drive roll as the gear is rotated. The retainer includes an alignment feature configured to receive the drive roll. The retainer may be selectively locked into one of a first position relative to the hub and a second position relative to the hub. The alignment feature and the engagement feature are aligned in the first position and not aligned in the second position, and the retainer may be transitioned between the first and second positions without being translated along the hub in a direction of the rotational axis.

Indexing drive roll carrier system and method

A method and device for controlling current flow through a welding clamp are provided. One welding clamp includes a first contact piece configured to contact a workpiece and to provide a first current path that limits current flow. The welding clamp also includes a second contact piece configured to contact the workpiece and to provide a second current path. When the welding clamp is being clamped to the workpiece, the first contact piece is configured to contact the workpiece prior to the second contact piece. In addition, the welding clamp is configured so that current flows through the first current path prior to flowing through the second current path when the welding clamp is being clamped to the workpiece.

Method and device for controlling current flow through a welding clamp

A wire feeder has a motor, mounting plate, intermediate mounting plate, and base assembly. The mounting plate has a plurality of mounting hole patterns and a shaft hole. The motor a mounting hole pattern that aligns with at least one of the plurality. One of a plurality of motor types can be mounted to the mounting plate. The mounting plate is mounted to the intermediate mounting plate, which is mounted to the base assembly. The base assembly includes a drive gear, which is connected to rotate with an insulating cap that receives a gear hub. The gear hub is connected to rotate with the motor shaft via matching keys. The insulating hub, intermediate mounting plate and mounting plate are electrically insulating, so that the base assembly is electrically isolated from the motor.

Wire feeder assembly with motor mount

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.

A welding torch with a welding electrode and a welding electrode holder is provided. One welding torch includes a securing mechanism and an insulated grip. The securing mechanism is configured to secure an exposed central portion of a welding rod bounded by flux covered first and second sides. The securing mechanism is also configured to make electrical contact with the central portion of the rod for arc welding with the first side. The insulated grip is configured to cover the second side of the welding rod.

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Thomas Don Lahti