# US 11,077,513 B2 · Weld cell system with communication

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- Number: US 11,077,513 B2
- Document ID: US11077513B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/109,124
- Filed: 2018-08-22
- Published: 2018-12-20
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-29
- Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Inventors: Timothy N. Temby; James F. Rappl; Joseph E. Feldhausen; Todd E. Holverson; Michael H. Novak; Jeffery R. Ihde; Joseph C. Schneider; Bruce P. Albrecht; Thomas A. Bunker; Clay A. Byron
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077513B2

## CPC

- B23K 9/0953: {using computing means}
- B23K 9/095: Monitoring or automatic control of welding parameters
- B23K 9/1043: {characterised by the electric circuit (B23K9/1012 takes precedence)}
- B23K 9/323: {Combined coupling means, e.g. gas, electricity, water or the like}
- 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 method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a means for communicating.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of locating a distal end of a weld cable having a proximal end connected to a welding-type power supply, the method comprising:
receiving an identifying signal at the proximal end of the weld cable that is connected to the welding-type power supply, the weld cable configured to conduct electrical power that is output by the welding-type power supply from the proximal end of the weld cable to the distal end of the weld cable;
transmitting the identifying signal through the weld cable to the distal end of the weld cable;
detecting the identifying signal at the distal end of the weld cable via an output device of the weld cable; and
providing a visual output via the output device of the weld cable in response to the identifying signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises an electrical light.

### Claim 3

A method of locating a first distal end of a first cable having a proximal end connected to a welding-type power supply, the method comprising:
reading, via a first reader, a first cable identifier off the proximal end of the first cable connected to the welding-type power supply;
storing, in the welding-type power supply, the first cable identifier;
receiving, at the welding-type power supply, a second cable identifier;
comparing the first cable identifier to the second cable identifier; and
providing a signal indicative of the result of the comparison.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising:
reading, via a second reader, the second cable identifier off the first distal end of the first cable or a second distal end of a second cable; and
transmitting the second cable identifier to the welding-type power supply.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein reading the first cable identifier comprises reading a first RFID tag or a first bar code on the proximal end of the first cable, and reading the second cable identifier comprises reading a second RFID tag or a second bar code on the first distal end of the first cable or the second distal end of the second cable.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the second reader comprises a pendant or smartphone.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4 wherein transmitting includes transmitting a wireless signal and receiving includes receiving a wireless signal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 further comprising binding a wire feeder to the welding-type power supply in response to the signal indicative of the result of the comparison.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein a binding module of the welding-type power supply or wire feeder binds the wire feeder to the welding-type power supply.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein a first binding module of the welding-type power supply and a second binding module of the wire feeder binds the wire feeder to the welding-type power supply.

### Claim 11 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the second cable identifier is received via user input.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a plurality of lights.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a fiber optic strand.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a plurality of fiber optic strands.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a plurality of LEDs.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the visual output comprises illumination of some or all of the plurality of LEDS.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the visual output comprises an emission of light pulses.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the visual output comprises an emission of colored light.