IP Library Granted Patent US 12,406,596
Granted Patent B2
US 12,406,596 · App. 18/752,135 · Granted Sep 2, 2025

Stick welding electrode holder systems and methods

Inventors: William Joshua Becker (Neenah, WI); David Paul Marcusen (Hortonville, WI)
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
G09B19/003B23K9/282B23K9/287G09B9/00G09B19/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,406,596
App. No.
18/752,135
Granted
Sep 2, 2025
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 (40)

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 a time used for welding, and wherein the welding score is based on comparing a time period for welding the welding path to a welding time upper threshold or a welding time lower threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial position or the terminal position is sensed by one or more sensing devices configured to detect a position or an orientation of: a welding tool, a welding stand, or a welding surface.

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

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the sensing devices is a camera.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the sensing devices is configured to receive electromagnetic or sound energy.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial position or the terminal position is a calibration point.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the welding score is further based on: comparing a distance of the welding path to an upper threshold or a lower threshold.

8. A welding 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; and

determine a welding score based on the welding path,

wherein the welding score takes into account a time used for welding or a length of the welding path, and determining the welding score comprises disregarding a first portion of the welding path starting at the initial position or a second portion of the welding path starting at the terminal position.

9. The welding system of claim 8 , further comprising a sensing device configured to detect a position or an orientation of a welding tool, a welding stand, or a welding surface.

10. The welding system of claim 9 , wherein the sensing device is configured to detect one or more markers.

11. The welding system of claim 9 , wherein the sensing device is a camera.

12. The welding system of claim 9 , wherein the sensing device is configured to receive electromagnetic or sound energy.

13. The welding system of claim 8 , wherein the computer is further configured to determine whether the welding score is a passing welding score by comparing the welding score to a score threshold.

14. The welding system of claim 8 , wherein the computer is configured to determine the welding score based on:

comparing a distance of the welding path to a welding path upper threshold or a welding path lower threshold; or

comparing a time period for welding the welding path to one or both of a welding time upper threshold or a welding time lower threshold.

15. 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 a time used for welding or a length of the welding path, and determining the welding score comprises disregarding a first portion of the welding path welded during a first time period and a second portion of the welding path welded during a second time period.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the initial position or the terminal position is sensed by one or more sensing devices configured to detect a position or an orientation of a welding tool, a welding stand, or a welding surface.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the sensing devices is configured to detect one or more markers.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the sensing devices is a camera.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the sensing devices is configured to receive electromagnetic or sound energy.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the welding score is determined by:

comparing a distance of the welding path to a welding path upper threshold or a welding path lower threshold, or

comparing a time period for welding the welding path to a welding time upper threshold or a welding time lower threshold.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2024
From: BECKER, WILLIAM JOSHUA; MARCUSEN, DAVID PAUL
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 067817/0471 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 18099002 · Jan 19, 2023
Continuation 16814152 · Mar 10, 2020
Continuation 15211743 · Jul 15, 2016
Provisional Application 62204191 · Aug 12, 2015
Related Publication 20240346948A1 · Oct 17, 2024
References Cited (4)
US 20110117527A1 · Conrardy · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 20130189657A1 · Wallace · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 20140134579A1 · Becker · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20150056584A1 · Boulware · 2015 [cited by examiner]