Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsCraig Steven Knoener, Milad Pashapour Nikou, Andrew James Thielke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus to communicate via a welding arc are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power converter, a weld monitor, and an arc modulator. The power converter outputs welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch. The weld monitor monitors one or more aspects of a weld performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch, and selects an audio message based on the one or more aspects. The arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker.
Claims17
A welding-type power supply, comprising:
- a power converter configured to output welding power to sustain a welding-type arc at a welding-type torch;
- a weld monitor circuit configured to:
- monitor one or more aspects of a weld being performed using the welding-type arc and the welding-type torch;
- and
- select an audio message based on the one or more aspects;
- and
- a volume control device configured to receive user input for controlling volume level of audio;
- and
- an arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the selected audio message as a plasma speaker, wherein the arc modulator is configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the audio message based on an input from the volume control device.
A welding-type device, comprising:
- a welding-type circuit coupler configured to couple the welding-type device to a welding-type circuit that is configured to conduct welding-type current for sustaining a welding-type arc at a welding torch;
- and
- an arc modulator configured to modulate an audio signal onto the welding-type current to output audio using the welding-type arc as a plasma speaker;
- wherein the welding-type circuit coupler comprises at least one of:
- a weld cable tap configured to couple to a weld cable or a work cable by piercing a sheathing of the weld cable or the work cable or a weld cable connector configured to receive the weld cable.
A welding-type device, comprising:
- a welding-type circuit coupler configured to couple the welding-type device to a welding-type circuit that is configured to conduct welding-type current for sustaining a welding-type arc at a welding torch;
- an arc modulator configured to modulate an audio signal onto the welding-type current to output audio using the welding-type arc as a plasma speaker;
- and
- a communications interface configured to receive audio information from an external device, the arc modulator configured to modify the welding-type arc to output the audio based on the audio information from the external device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.