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US 11,969,836 B2Granted
Reciprocating wire feed welding system and method
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsChristopher Hsu, Dennis Sigl, Herbert Alexius Bankstahl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A consumable filler metal delivery system includes a reciprocating wire feeding gear assembly configured to move a wire forward and backward with a net forward motion and a motor configured to drive the reciprocating wire feeding gear assembly, wherein the motor is configured to rotate only in one direction during operation of the consumable filler metal delivery system.
Claims13
A method, comprising:
- driving rotation of a gear of a reciprocating welding wire feed system with a motor rotating in only one rotational direction;
- feeding a welding wire through the reciprocating welding wire feed system in a first linear direction by driving the gear in the one rotational direction;
- retracting the welding wire through the reciprocating welding wire feed system in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction by driving the gear in the one rotational direction;
- applying an electrical signal to a first expandable roll to radially expand the first expandable roll such that the first expandable roll captures the welding wire with a first drive roll to feed the welding wire in the first linear direction;
- suspending application of the electrical signal to the first expandable roll to radially contract the first expandable roll such that the first expandable roll disengages from the welding wire and the first drive roll;
- and
- applying the electrical signal to a second expandable roll to radially expand the second expandable roll such that the second expandable roll captures the welding wire with a second drive roll to retract the welding wire in the second linear direction.
4 more elements
A consumable filler metal delivery system, comprising:
- a reciprocating wire feeding gear assembly configured to move a wire forward and backward with a net forward motion;
- and
- a motor configured to drive the reciprocating wire feeding gear assembly, wherein the motor is configured to rotate only in one direction during operation of the consumable filler metal delivery system;
- wherein the reciprocating wire feeding gear assembly comprises piezoelectric actuators configured to move the wire forward and backward with the net forward motion.
1 more element
A reciprocating welding wire feed system, comprising:
- a first drive roll configured to contact a welding wire;
- a second drive roll disposed adjacent to the first drive roll on a same side of the welding wire, wherein the second drive roll is configured to contact the welding wire,
- a first expandable roll disposed opposite the first drive roll relative to the welding wire;
- and
- a second expandable roll disposed opposite the second drive roll relative to the welding wire;
- wherein the first expandable roll is configured to expand radially upon application of an electrical signal to the first expandable roll, and the second expandable roll is configured to expand radially upon application of the electrical signal to the second expandable roll.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.