Stick welding electrode holder systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12020586-B2
Application number	US-202318099002-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 19, 2023
Priority date	Aug 12, 2015
Publication date	Jun 25, 2024
Grant date	Jun 25, 2024

Abstract

A method for providing a welding score, comprising determining an initial position of a welding operation, determining a terminal position of the welding operation, determining a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position, and determining the welding score based on the welding path, wherein the welding score takes into account one or both of a time used for welding and a length of the welding path. A system comprising a welding torch, and a computer configured to: determine an initial position of a welding operation, determine a terminal position of the welding operation, determine a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position, determine a welding score, wherein the welding score takes into account a time used for welding and/or a length of the welding path, and comparing the welding score to a score threshold.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for providing a welding score, comprising:
determining an initial position of a welding operation;
determining a terminal position of the welding operation;
determining a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position; and
determining the welding score based on the welding path, wherein the welding score takes into account one or both of a time used for welding and a length of the welding path, wherein the welding score is based on one or more of:
a distance of the welding path to one or both of an upper threshold or a lower threshold;
a deviation of the welding path compared to a pre-determined welding path;
a number of passes at a location of the welding path; and
a time period for welding the welding path in the welding operation, wherein the welding score is based on comparing the time period for welding the welding path to one or both of a welding time upper threshold or a welding time lower threshold, wherein one or both of the initial position and the terminal position is sensed by one or more sensing devices configured to detect one or both of a position and an orientation of a one or more of: a welding tool, a welding stand, or a welding surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensing devices is configured to detect one or more markers.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensing devices is a camera.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensing devices is configured to receive one or both of electromagnetic or sound energy.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the initial position and the terminal position is a calibration point.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the welding score is based on comparing the distance of the welding path to one or both of a welding path upper threshold or a welding path lower threshold.

7. A method for providing a welding score, comprising:
determining an initial position of a welding operation;
determining a terminal position of the welding operation;
determining a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position;
determining the welding score based on the welding path, wherein the welding score takes into account one or both of a time used for welding and a length of the welding path, wherein one or both of the initial position and the terminal position is sensed by one or more sensing devices; and,
when determining the welding score, disregarding one or both of: a first portion of the welding path starting at the initial position and a second portion of the welding path starting at the terminal position.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein one or both of the first portion and the second portion is substantially 0.5 inches.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising, when determining the welding score, disregarding one or both of: the first portion of the welding path welded during a first time period and the second portion of the welding path welded during a second time period.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein one or both of the first time period and the second time period is substantially 0.5 seconds.

11. A welding system, comprising:
a welding torch;
a computer configured to:
determine an initial position of a welding operation;
determine a terminal position of the welding operation;
determine a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position;
determine a welding score based on the welding path, wherein the welding score takes into account one or both of a time used for welding and a length of the welding path,
wherein the welding score is based on one or more of:
a distance of the welding path to one or both of an upper threshold or a lower threshold;
a deviation of the welding path compared to a pre-determined welding path;
a number of passes at a location of the welding path; and
a time period for welding the welding path in the welding operation, wherein the welding score is based on comparing the time period for welding the welding path to one or both of a welding time upper threshold or a welding time lower threshold; and

determine whether the welding score is a passing welding score by comparing the welding score to a score threshold.

12. The welding system of claim 11 , further comprising a sensing device configured to detect one or both of a position and an orientation of a one or more of: a welding tool, a welding stand, a welding surface.

13. The welding system of claim 12 , wherein the sensing device is configured to detect one or more markers.

14. The welding system of claim 12 , wherein the sensing device is a camera.

15. The welding system of claim 12 , wherein the sensing device is configured to receive one or both of electromagnetic or sound energy.

16. The welding system of claim 15 , wherein the computer is further configured to determine the welding score based on
comparing the distance of the welding path to one or both of a welding path upper threshold or a welding path lower threshold.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Becker William Joshua
• Marcusen David Paul

Classifications

• G09B9/00 Primary

  Simulators for teaching or training purposes (for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; {protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131}) · CPC title

• G09B19/24

  Use of tools · CPC title

• B23K9/282

  Electrode holders not supplying shielding means to the electrode · CPC title

• B23K9/287

  Supporting devices for electrode holders · CPC title

• B23K9/32

  Accessories · CPC title