Integrated workpiece positioning system with integral fume extraction system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10137485-B2
Application number	US-201514590556-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 6, 2015
Priority date	Jan 6, 2015
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

A workpiece positioning system integrated with a fume extraction device, the system including a movable work surface assembly including at least one work surface; at least one divider extending upward from the at least one work surface dividing the at least one work surface into a plurality of work zones in which a welding operation is performed, the divider including a collection assembly comprising a first ventilation port on a first side of the divider opening toward a first work zone of the plurality of work zones and a second ventilation port on a second side of the divider opening toward a second work zone of the plurality of work zones formed by the divider; wherein at least one of the first and second ventilation ports are selectively placed in fluid communication with the fume extraction device to draw fume from at least one of the plurality of work zones.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A workpiece positioning system integrated with a fume extraction device, the system comprising:
a rotatably movable work surface assembly including at least one work surface;
at least one divider extending upward from the at least one work surface dividing the at least one work surface into a plurality of work zones in which a welding operation is performed, the divider including a collection assembly comprising a first ventilation port on a first side of the divider opening toward a first work zone of the plurality of work zones and a second ventilation port on a second side of the divider opening toward a second work zone of the plurality of work zones formed by the divider; wherein at least one of the first and second ventilation ports are selectively placed in fluid communication with the fume extraction device to draw fume from at least one of the plurality of work zones;
a robot adapted to perform a welding operation; and
a controller in communication with the robot and the rotatably movable work surface assembly, wherein the controller coordinates movement between the robot and the rotatably movable work surface assembly.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first ventilation port includes plural openings formed in the divider and vertically spaced from each other wherein each opening has an area and wherein the area of each opening increases in proportion to its distance from the work surface.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a cover over the ventilation port, wherein the cover is movable to control an amount of extraction flow through the ventilation port.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the cover is a louver pivotally mounted within the ventilation port.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the work surface assembly rotates about a central axis and wherein the divider extends through the central axis of the work surface assembly and divides the work surface assembly into two equally sized work zones.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a manifold supported on the work surface assembly and rotatable therewith, the manifold including a first section fluidly connected to the first ventilation port and a second section fluidly connected to the second ventilation port, wherein each manifold section is separated from the other, and wherein the first manifold section defines a first extraction port at a first angular position and second manifold section defines a second extraction port at a second angular position.

7. A workpiece positioning system integrated with a fume extraction device, the system comprising:
a rotatably movable work surface assembly including at least one work surface;
at least one divider extending upward from the at least one work surface dividing the at least one work surface into a plurality of work zones in which a welding operation is performed, the divider including a collection assembly comprising a first ventilation port on a first side of the divider opening toward a first work zone of the plurality of work zones and a second ventilation port on a second side of the divider opening toward a second work zone of the plurality of work zones formed by the divider; wherein at least one of the first and second ventilation ports are selectively placed in fluid communication with the fume extraction device to draw fume from at least one of the plurality of work zones;
a manifold supported on the work surface assembly and rotatable therewith, the manifold including a first section fluidly connected to the first ventilation port and a second section fluidly connected to the second ventilation port, wherein each manifold section is separated from the other, and wherein the first manifold section defines a first extraction port at a first angular position and second manifold section defines a second extraction port at a second angular position; and
a duct extending from the fume extraction device, the duct being located adjacent to the work surface assembly, wherein the first extraction port is aligned with and in fluid communication with the duct when in the work surface assembly is in a first rotational position, and wherein the second extraction port is aligned with and in fluid communication with the duct when the work surface assembly is rotated to a second rotational position.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the manifold is located below the work surface and the duct extends horizontally toward the manifold, each extraction port including a flexible seal extending outward therefrom to sealingly engage the duct when aligned therewith.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein each of the first manifold section and the second manifold section extend beneath the divider, and wherein each of the manifold sections define a volume, wherein the volume of each manifold section tapers inward as it extends away from the extraction port.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein each manifold section includes a floor that slopes upward as it extends outward relative to the extraction port.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising an air knife assembly supported on the divider above the work surface assembly, the air knife assembly including an air knife defining an opening facing the work zone, wherein the air knife is connected to an air supply, wherein air from the air supply is selectively pumped out of the opening over the work zone.

12. A workpiece positioning system integrated with a fume extraction device, the system comprising:
a rotatably movable work surface assembly including at least one work surface;
a divider extending upward from the at least one work surface dividing the at least one work surface into a plurality of work zones in which a welding operation is performed, the divider including a collection assembly comprising a first ventilation port on a first side of the divider opening toward a first work zone of the plurality of work zones and a second ventilation port on a second side of the divider opening toward a second work zone of the plurality of work zones formed by the divider; wherein at least one of the first and second ventilation ports are selectively placed in fluid communication with the fume extraction device to draw fume from at least one of the plurality of work zones;
an air knife assembly supported on the divider above the work surface assembly, the air knife assembly including an air knife defining an opening facing the work zone, wherein the air knife is connected to an air supply, wherein air from the air supply is selectively pumped out of the opening over the work zone wherein the air knife assembly is supported on a manipulator attached to the divider, wherein the manipulator is movable to selectively position the air knife assembly.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the manipulator includes a panel pivotally attached to the divider, the panel spacing the air knife from the divider and pivotable between a first position where the panel is aligned with the divider and a second position wherein the panel extends at an angle relative to the divider.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising an actuator extending between the divider and the panel, wherein the actuator is movable to move the panel between the first position and the second position.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein actuator includes a fluid cylinder pivotally attached to the divider at one end and pivotally attached to the panel at a second end.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the panel includes an inlet adjacent to the air knife, wherein the air knife is oriented to direct an air flow into the inlet and wherein the panel is i

Assignees

• Lincoln Global Inc

Inventors

• Mate David
• Agosti Christopher David
• Caldarone Andrew

Classifications

• B23Q11/0046

  by sucking · CPC title

• B08B15/02 Primary

  using chambers or hoods covering the area {(B08B15/002 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B23K37/0461 Primary

  Welding tables · CPC title

• B23Q1/66

  Worktables interchangeably movable into operating positions · CPC title