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
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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 select an audio message;
- and
- a volume control device configured to control 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;
- a weld monitor circuit configured to select an audio message;
- and
- an arc modulator configured to modulate selected audio signal onto the welding-type current to output audio using the welding-type arc as a plasma speaker.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.