System and method for controlling and coordinating welding-type processes and gouging-type processes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9821413-B2
Application number	US-201414520806-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 22, 2014
Priority date	Feb 27, 2007
Publication date	Nov 21, 2017
Grant date	Nov 21, 2017

Abstract

A multi-operational welding-type system including a user interface supported by a support structure and including a first user interface device moveable between a welding position, a gouging position, and an off position, and a second user interface device configured to alter operation parameters of the multi-operational welding-type system. A controller is supported by the support structure and monitors the position of the first user interface device and utilizes the operational parameters supplied via the second user interface device. The multi-operational welding-type system may perform only one of a gouging-type process and a welding-type process at a given time depending on the position of the first user interface device.

First claim

We claim:

1. A multi-operational welding system comprising:
a welding power source spaced apart at a distance from interface devices configured to control the multi-operational welding system, and providing welding power;
a support structure independently moveable from the welding power source;
an umbilical cord connected between the welding power source and the support structure, the umbilical cord including a welding power cable, an auxiliary power cable, a gas supply cable, and a control cable;
a wire feeder supported by the support structure;
a welding cable extending from the wire feeder to a welding torch;
a gouging cable supported by the support structure and extending to a gouging torch;
a receptacle supported by the support structure;
a user interface supported by the support structure and positioned at a fixed distance relative to the wire feeder, the user interface including
a first user interface device moveable between a welding position, a gouging position, and an off position, and
a second user interface device configured to alter operation parameters of the multi-operational welding system; and

a controller supported by the support structure and monitoring the position of the first user interface device and utilizing the operational parameters supplied via the second user interface device,
wherein the multi-operational welding system may perform only one of a gouging process and a welding process at a given time depending on the position of the first user interface device.

2. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein when the first user interface device is arranged in the off position, the welding power source provides no power to either of the welding torch and the gouging torch while continuing to supply power to the receptacle.

3. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein during the welding process, the welding power source supplies no power to the gouging torch.

4. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein during the gouging process, the welding power source supplies no power to the welding torch.

5. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a tray supporting the wire feeder and a cage extending from the tray to at least partially surround the wire feeder.

6. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of storage elements supported by the support structure, including at least one of a torch storage system, a consumable storage system, a cable storage system, a grinder storage system, and a drawer.

7. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a work table extending above the wire feeder and having integrated handles formed therein.

8. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes at least one of a plurality of wheels and a pivot axis to adjust a position of the support structure.

9. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is configured to deliver transmission-AC power.

10. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is configured to deliver compressed air.

11. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , further comprising a strain protection system extending from the support structure to engage the welding cable and reinforce the wire feeder against forces applied when adjusting a position of the support structure by moving the welding cable.

12. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , further comprising a grinder configured to receive operational power from the receptacle.

13. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is arranged in the wire feeder.

14. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to recall selected operational parameters associated with a previous gouging process and a previous welding process.

15. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein during the welding process, movement of the first user interface device from the welding position to the off position results in the controller discontinuing power delivery from the welding power source to the welding torch.

16. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein during the gouging process, movement of the first user interface device from the gouging position to the off position results in the controller discontinuing power delivery from the welding power source to the gouging torch.

17. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the first user interface device is a mechanical three-position switch.

18. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the controller communicates with the welding power source via the control cable.

19. The multi-operational welding system of claim 1 , wherein the second user interface device includes a first display, a second display, an output selection dial, and one of a wire speed selection dial and a wire diameter selection dial.

20. The multi-operational welding system of claim 19 , wherein the first display is configured to display voltage information relevant to the currently selected process and the second display is configured to display one of a wire speed and amperage information relevant to the currently selected process.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works
• 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

• B23K9/16

  making use of shielding gas · CPC title

• B23K9/013

  Arc cutting, gouging, scarfing or desurfacing · CPC title

• B23K28/02 Primary

  Combined welding or cutting procedures or apparatus · CPC title

• B23K9/173

  and of a consumable electrode · CPC title