System and method for coordinating welding and gouging operations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9457433-B2
Application number	US-3586108-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 22, 2008
Priority date	Feb 27, 2007
Publication date	Oct 4, 2016
Grant date	Oct 4, 2016

Abstract

A system and method for an integrated structural welding system includes a user interface and controller configured to coordinate both welding and gouging operations.

First claim

We claim:

1. A multi-operational welding-type system comprising:
a welding-type power source substantially free from control or interface devices;
a support structure separate from and moveable relative to the welding-type power source;
a wire feeder supported by the support structure;
a welding torch supported by the support structure, connected to a welding cable, and arranged to receive welding-type power to perform a welding-type process;
a gouging torch separate from the welding torch, supported by the support structure, connected to a gouging cable, and arranged to receive welding-type power to perform a gouging-type process; and
a user interface supported by the support structure and including a mode-selection switch and a parameter selection interface, the mode-selection switch simultaneously functionally coupled to both the welding torch and the gouging torch and operating the multi-operational welding-type system in one of an off mode, a gouging mode, and a welding mode, the parameter selection interface configured to adjust an operation parameter and display the operation parameter, the user interface isolates operation of the welding-type process and the gouging-type process.

2. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the mode-selection switch is a mechanical three-position switch that isolates the gouging torch from the wire feeder.

3. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the off mode, the welding-type power source is isolated from the wire feeder and the gouging torch,
wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the gouging mode, the welding-type power source is isolated from the wire feeder, and
wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the welding mode, the welding-type power source is isolated from the gouging torch.

4. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the mode-selection switch is a slidable switch.

5. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the mode-selection switch is a digital interface.

6. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the user-interface controls operation of the welding-type power source.

7. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter selection interface includes a first display configured to display the operation parameter and a second display configured to display a second operation parameter.

8. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the parameter selection interface includes a first selection device configured to adjust the operation parameter, and a second selection device configured to adjust a second operation parameter.

9. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , further comprising an umbilical cord connecting the welding-type power source to the support structure.

10. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the wire feeder is arranged within the support structure.

11. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the wire feeder includes a welding cable and a strain protection system extending a reinforcement bracket substantially surrounding the welding cable and mounted to the support structure.

12. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is supported on wheels.

13. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 7 , wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the gouging mode, the first display shows an actual voltage and the second display shows an amperage draw during a gouging operation and a percentage of welding-type power to be delivered to the gouging torch otherwise.

14. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 7 , wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the welding mode, the first display shows an actual voltage during a welding operation and a previous voltage setting otherwise, the second display shows an amperage draw during the welding operation and a wire feed speed setting otherwise.

15. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 7 , wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the welding mode, the first display shows an actual voltage during a welding operation and a previous voltage setting otherwise, the second display shows an amperage draw during the welding operation and a wire diameter setting otherwise.

16. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 7 , wherein the first display and the second display continue to display operational parameters for a predetermined time after the end of a welding operation or a gouging operation.

17. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 8 , wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the welding mode, the first selection device is configured to adjust a voltage and the second selection device is configured to adjust a wire feed speed.

18. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 8 , wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the welding mode, the first selection device is configured to adjust a voltage and the second selection device is configured to adjust a wire diameter.

19. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 8 , wherein when the mode-selection switch is arranged in the gouging mode, the first selection device is configured to adjust a percentage of welding-type power to be utilized during a gouging operation.

20. The multi-operational welding-type system of claim 8 , wherein the first selection device and the second selection device each include a rotatable dial.

Assignees

• Feldhausen Joseph E
• Rappold Jeffrey W
• Thyssen Gary A
• Knoener Craig S
• Mcinnis Christopher D
• Schwartz Brian A
• Hogan Michael W
• Lenz Jeffrey P
• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Feldhausen Joseph E
• Rappold Jeffrey W
• Thyssen Gary A
• Knoener Craig S
• Mcinnis Christopher D
• Schwartz Brian A
• Hogan Michael W
• Lenz Jeffrey P

Classifications

• B23K28/02 Primary

  Combined welding or cutting procedures or apparatus · CPC title

• B23K9/013

  Arc cutting, gouging, scarfing or desurfacing · CPC title

• B23K9/16

  making use of shielding gas · CPC title

• B23K9/173

  and of a consumable electrode · CPC title