# US 10,482,788 B2 · Welding torch for a welding training system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,482,788 B2 - Document ID: US10482788B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/443,206 - Filed: 2017-02-27 - Published: 2017-06-15 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: William J. Becker; Kyle A. Pfeifer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10482788B2 ## CPC - G09B 19/24: Use of tools - B23K 9/0953: {using computing means} - B23K 9/32: Accessories - G09B 5/02: with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip - G09B 9/00: Simulators for teaching or training purposes (for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; {protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131}) - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract A welding training system includes a welding training software having a first training mode configured to simulate a welding arc and a second training mode configured to use a live welding arc. The welding training system is configured to block welding power flow between a welding power supply and a welding torch while the welding training software is in the first training mode. The welding training system is also configured to enable the welding power to flow between the welding power supply and the welding torch while the welding training software is in the second training mode. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A weld training system comprising: a computer configured to execute weld training software; and a welding torch comprising: a user interface configured to receive an input from a welding operator; and a communication interface configured to provide data representative of the input to the computer; wherein the computer is configured to receive the data representative of the input from the communication interface of the welding torch, and to operate the weld training software based on the input. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The weld training system of claim 1, comprising a display coupled to the computer and configured to display data corresponding to the weld training software. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The weld training system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of buttons. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The weld training system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The weld training system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a touchpad. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The weld training system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to enable the welding operator to navigate the weld training software, make selections within the weld training software, configure the weld training software, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The weld training system of claim 1, wherein the welding torch comprises a display configured to display data corresponding to the weld training software. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The weld training system of claim 1, wherein the welding torch comprises visual indicators configured to indicate a welding torch orientation, a welding torch travel speed, a welding torch position, a contact tip to workpiece distance, a proximity of the welding torch in relation to a workpiece, an aim of the welding torch, or some combination thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The weld training system of claim 8, wherein the welding torch is configured to provide the visual indicators before a weld, during the weld, after the weld, or some combination thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The weld training system of claim 8, wherein the welding torch comprises control circuitry configured to at least partially control operation of the welding torch. ### Claim 11 A welding torch comprising: a user interface on the welding torch configured to receive an input from a welding operator; and a communication interface configured to provide data representative of the input to a computer, wherein the computer is configured to receive the data representative of the input from the communication interface and to operate weld training software based on the input. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The welding torch of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of buttons. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The welding torch of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The welding torch of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a touchpad. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The welding torch of claim 11, wherein the user interface is configured to enable the welding operator to navigate the weld training software, make selections within the weld training software, configure the weld training software, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The welding torch of claim 11, comprising a display configured to display data corresponding to the weld training software. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The welding torch of claim 11, where the user interface comprises visual indicators configured to indicate a welding torch orientation, a welding torch travel speed, a welding torch position, a contact tip to workpiece distance, a proximity of the welding torch in relation to a workpiece, an aim of the welding torch, or some combination thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The welding torch of claim 17, wherein the user interface is configured to provide the visual indicators before a weld, during the weld, after the weld, or some combination thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The welding torch of claim 11, comprising control circuitry configured to at least partially control operation of the welding torch. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The welding torch of claim 19, wherein the control circuitry comprises at least one processor configured to execute welding torch software.