IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,090,753
Granted Patent B2
US 11,090,753 · App. 14/304,388 · Granted Aug 17, 2021

System and method for determining weld travel speed

Inventors: Jyi-Jiin Luo (Morton Grove, IL); Christopher J. Nelli (Schaumburg, IL); Todd Earl Holverson (Appleton, WI); Andrew Patrick Mulroy (Houston, TX)
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
B23K9/0953B23K9/0282B23K9/0956B23K2101/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,090,753
App. No.
14/304,388
Granted
Aug 17, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for determining weld travel speed. In one example, a welding system includes one or more sensors configured to provide a first indication correspond to a welding arc at a first time and to provide a second indication correspond to the welding arc at a second time. The welding system also includes processing circuitry configured to receive the first indication, to receive the second indication, and to determine a weld travel speed based on a weld length of the workpiece and a difference between the first and second times.

Claims (20)

1. A welding system comprising:

first and second sensors configured to be disposed at least one of adjacent to a workpiece or on the workpiece, the first sensor corresponding to a predetermined first location on the workpiece and the second sensor corresponding to a predetermined second location on the workpiece, the first sensor configured to provide a first indication corresponding to a first time that a welding arc is at the predetermined first location, the second sensor configured to provide a second indication corresponding to a second time that the welding arc is at the predetermined second location; and

processing circuitry configured to receive the first indication, to receive the second indication, and to determine a weld travel speed based on a sensor distance representative of a fixed distance between the predetermined first location and the predetermined second location and a difference between the first and second times.

2. The welding system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sensors each comprise a temperature sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, or a filler metal feed sensor, and wherein the first indication, second indication, or combination thereof, comprises a temperature indication, a light-based indication, or a proximity indication.

3. The welding system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive the sensor distance.

4. The welding system of claim 1 , comprising a feedback device configured to provide to a user a visual feedback, an audible feedback, a haptic feedback, or a combination thereof, corresponding to the weld travel speed during a welding operation.

5. The welding system of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to derive a heat input of a welding operation based on the first and second indications and a weld length.

6. The welding system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor comprises a temperature sensor.

7. The welding system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor comprises an infrared (IR) sensor.

8. The welding system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor comprises a light sensor.

9. The welding system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

10. A method for determining a weld travel speed, comprising:

receiving, using processing circuitry, a first indication corresponding to a welding arc being present at a predetermined first location at a first time, wherein the first indication originated from a first sensor disposed in association with the predetermined first location adjacent to a workpiece or on the workpiece;

receiving, using the processing circuitry, a second indication corresponding to the welding arc being present at a predetermined second location at a second time, wherein the second indication originated from a second sensor disposed in association with the predetermined second location adjacent to the workpiece or on the workpiece; and

determining, using the processing circuitry, the weld travel speed based on a sensor distance representative of a fixed distance between the predetermined first location and the predetermined second location and a difference between the first and second times.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first and second sensors each comprise a temperature sensor, an IR sensor, a light sensor, or a proximity sensor.

12. The method of claim 10 , comprising receiving, via a user interface, the sensor distance, wherein a distance traveled by a welding torch is determined by the processing circuitry using the sensor distance.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the sensor distance is substantially equal to the distance traveled by the welding torch.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the sensor distance is different than the distance traveled by the welding torch.

15. The method of claim 10 , comprising receiving a third indication corresponding to the welding arc being present at a predetermined third location on the workpiece at a third time, determining a second weld travel speed based on a second distance traveled by a welding torch that created the welding arc and a difference between the second and third times, and determining an acceleration, a statistical value, or some combination thereof, based on the weld travel speed and the second weld travel speed, wherein the third indication originated from a third sensor.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2014
From: LUO, JYI-JIIN; NELLI, CHRISTOPHER J; HOLVERSON, TODD EARL; MULROY, ANDREW PATRICK
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 033101/0945 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61837905 · Jun 21, 2013
Related Publication 20140374396A1 · Dec 25, 2014