Handling apparatus for performing a TIG weld with regulation of speed of the fed wire

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10758992-B2
Application number	US-201515529708-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2015
Priority date	Nov 27, 2014
Publication date	Sep 1, 2020
Grant date	Sep 1, 2020

Abstract

A handling apparatus for performing a TIG weld comprises a main body for holding a filler rod; a feeding device attached to the main body and configured to advance the filler rod during welding; a control unit configured to act on the feeding device and to regulate the speed of the filler rod.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A handling apparatus usable with a welding tool for performing a TIG weld, the handling apparatus comprising;
a main body for holding a filler rod;
a feeding device attached to the main body and configured to advance the filler rod during welding;
a control unit configured to act on the feeding device and to regulate the speed of the filler rod, the control unit comprising a processing module configured to emit a feeding velocity signal, the feeding velocity signal being, at least in part, directly proportional to a result derived from a comparison of a detected welding voltage with a target voltage value stored in a memory of the control unit;
an actuation module connected to said feeding device configured to operate said feeding device as directed by the feeding velocity signal; and
a control interface in communication with the processing module and configured to emit a command signal to the processing module to adjust the feeding velocity signal as directed by a user of the welding tool.

2. The handling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a handle configured to be manually held, the control interface comprising a button placed on the handle.

3. The handling apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the button is configured to give a tactile feedback at predetermined levels of the feeding velocity signal.

4. The handling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the feeding device comprises a wheel attached to the main body, the rim of the wheel being configured to be placed in contact with the filler rod to move the filler rod along a longitudinal axis of the main body by a rotation of the wheel.

5. The handling apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the feeding device further comprises a motor connected to the wheel for moving the filler rod.

6. The handling apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the motor is an electromagnetic motor.

7. The handling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the feeding device comprises an electromagnetic actuation device for the filler rod.

8. An arc welding kit, the arc welding kit comprising:
a handling apparatus according to claim 1 ;
a welding tool comprising a main body;
a handle attached to the main body;
a non-consumable electrode for performing a TIG weld, the electrode being attached to the main body; and
an adjusting device associated with the electrode for moving the electrode forward/backward with respect to the main body of the welding tool, wherein the control unit is connected to the adjusting device and configured to act on the adjusting device to maintain a substantially constant distance between the electrode and a weld area.

9. The arc welding kit according to claim 8 , further comprising a welding assistance device comprising a welding mask and a visualization device attached to the welding mask arranged to show a representation of at least a performance of a welding operation selected from: welding speed, voltage, current, respectively between the electrode and the weld area.

10. The arc welding kit according to the previous claim 9 , wherein the welding mask further comprises a welding velocity sensor attached on the welding mask, the welding velocity sensor being configured to detect a welding velocity; the visualization device being arranged to show a representation of the welding velocity and of consequent heat input.

Assignees

• Nuovo Pignone Srl

Inventors

• Chiari Francescosaverio
• Stefanini Cesare
• Milazzo Mario
• Magnasco Marco
• Inglese Francesco

Classifications

• B23K9/0008 Primary

  Welding without shielding means against the influence of the surrounding atmosphere · CPC title

• B23K9/296

  using non-consumable electrodes · CPC title

• B23K9/167 Primary

  and of a non-consumable electrode · CPC title

• B23K9/124

  Circuits or methods for feeding welding wire · CPC title

• B23K9/133

  Means for feeding electrodes, e.g. drums, rolls, motors · CPC title