Feedback from a welding torch of a welding system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11241754-B2
Application number	US-201816168406-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2018
Priority date	Jan 7, 2014
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

A method includes displaying, on a display of a welding torch, a welding parameter in relation to a predetermined threshold range for the welding parameter, a target value for the welding parameter, or some combination thereof as a position of the welding torch changes, an orientation of the welding torch changes, a movement of the welding torch changes, or some combination thereof, to enable a welding operator to perform a welding operation with the welding parameter within the predetermined threshold range, at the target value, or some combination thereof. The welding parameter is associated with the position of the welding torch, the orientation of the welding torch, the movement of the welding torch, or some combination thereof.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A weld training system, comprising:
a motion tracking system configured to track, during a welding or welding simulation operation, at least one of a position of a welding torch, an orientation of the welding torch, a movement of the welding torch;
processing circuitry; and
a machine readable storage device comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to:
during the welding or welding simulation operation, determine the position of the welding torch, the orientation of the welding torch, the movement of the welding torch using the motion tracking system; and
during the welding or welding simulation operation, display, on a display disposed on the welding torch viewable by an operator during the welding operation:
a value of a welding parameter represented by a first graphic, wherein the welding parameter comprises at least one of a travel speed, a tip-to-work distance, an aim, a work angle, a travel angle; and
a predetermined threshold range for at least one of the welding parameter or a target value for the welding parameter, the predetermined threshold range represented by a second graphic having a spatial relationship to the first graphic based on the value of the welding parameter and at least one of the predetermined threshold range or the target value.

2. The weld training system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold range comprises an upper limit and a lower limit.

3. The weld training system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold range comprises values greater than a predetermined limit.

4. The weld training system of claim 3 , wherein the predetermined threshold range comprises the predetermined limit.

5. The weld training system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold range comprises values less than a predetermined limit.

6. The weld training system of claim 5 , wherein the predetermined threshold range comprises the predetermined limit.

7. A weld training system, comprising:
a motion tracking system configured to detect at least one of a position of the welding torch, an orientation of the welding torch, or a movement of the welding torch;
a training switch is configured to enable welding power to the welding torch only while the training switch is in a closed position; and
control circuitry configured to:
detect whether a welding torch is within a predetermined distance from a welding joint via the motion tracking system; and
enable a live welding operation to begin only while the motion tracking system detects that the welding torch is within the predetermined distance from the welding joint, wherein the training switch is configured to enable welding power to the welding torch only while the training switch is in a closed position.

8. The weld training system as defined in claim 7 , wherein the welding torch comprises a trigger actuated by a welding operator, wherein the live welding operation begins only while the trigger is actuated and the welding torch is within the predetermined distance from the welding joint.

9. The weld training system as defined in claim 7 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine a spatial location of the welding joint via the motion tracking system.

10. The weld training system as defined in claim 7 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to enable the live welding operation to be completed while the welding torch is not within the predetermined distance from the welding joint.

11. A weld training system, comprising:
a motion tracking system configured to detect at least one of a position of the welding torch, an orientation of the welding torch, or a movement of the welding torch;
a training switch;
control circuitry configured to:
detect, via the motion tracking system, whether a welding torch is within a predetermined distance from a welding joint via a motion tracking system, wherein the welding torch comprises a trigger configured to be actuated by a welding operator;
detect whether a live welding mode is selected;
control the training switch to enable a live welding arc when the trigger is actuated only when the live welding mode is selected; and
provide feedback when the motion tracking system detects that the welding torch is within the predetermined distance from the welding joint and if the live welding mode is selected.

12. The weld training system as defined in claim 11 , wherein the feedback comprises at least one of a visual message and an audible message.

13. The weld training system as defined in claim 11 , wherein the feedback comprises a visual message on a display.

14. The weld training system as defined in claim 11 , wherein the feedback comprises a vibration feedback.

15. The weld training system as defined in claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the training switch to block the live welding arc when a welding mode other than the live welding mode is selected.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Becker William J
• Walker James M
• Erdmann Jeremy J

Classifications

• B23K9/1062

  with computing means · CPC title

• B23K9/0953 Primary

  using computing means · CPC title

• B23K9/10

  Other electric circuits therefor; Protective circuits; Remote controls · CPC title

• B23K9/12

  Automatic feeding or moving of electrodes or work for spot or seam welding or cutting · CPC title

• B23K9/0956

  using sensing means, e.g. optical · CPC title