IP Library Granted Patent US 12,020,586
Granted Patent B2
US 12,020,586 · App. 18/099,002 · Granted Jun 25, 2024

Stick welding electrode holder systems and methods

Inventors: William Joshua Becker (Manitowoc, WI); David Paul Marcusen (Hortonville, WI)
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
G09B19/003B23K9/282B23K9/287G09B9/00G09B19/24
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,020,586
App. No.
18/099,002
Granted
Jun 25, 2024
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (42)

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.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2024
From: BECKER, WILLIAM JOSHUA; MARCUSEN, DAVID PAUL
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 067406/0621 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16814152 · Mar 10, 2020
Continuation 15211743 · Jul 15, 2016
Provisional Application 62204191 · Aug 12, 2015
Related Publication 20230154353A1 · May 18, 2023