Rotating power connector for welding torch cables
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsTiejun Ma, Romeo Cossette, Craig Matthew Bondy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotating power connection for connecting an electrical supply power cable to an electric welding torch body is provided. In the rotating power connection, the mechanical load is carried by steel bearings, and the electric load is carried by multi-contact, spring loaded fins made out of highly conductive materials or coatings. In some examples, a rotating power connector is affixed to a torch before the power connection to a wire feeder. The rotating power connector advantageously allows for rotation of the welding torch relative to the unicable while providing continual electrical connection at the high current levels employed in welding applications.
Claims21
A rotating power connector for a welding system comprising:
- a conductive connector extending from a first end of an outer housing;
- a conductive rotating shaft extending from a second end of the power connector, the conductive rotating shaft to rotate about a common axis;
- and
- one or more contact extensions that are spring loaded and biased to extend toward the common axis to contact an external surface of the conductive connector or the conductive rotating shaft to provide electrical contact between the one or more contact extensions and the external surface of the conductive rotating shaft during rotation of the rotating power connector.
A connector assembly for rotational movement of a welding tool, the connector assembly rotatably connecting a cable to the welding tool such that the cable is rotatable relative to the welding tool, the connector including:
- a connector fixedly, axially arranged within the connector assembly and extending from a first end of the connector assembly;
- a rotating shaft arranged within the connector assembly and extending from a second end of the connector assembly opposite the first end, the rotating shaft to rotate about a common axis;
- and
- one or more contact extensions arranged within and in electrical contact with the inner housing, wherein the one or more contact extensions are spring loaded and biased to extend inward toward the common axis, the one or more contact extensions to contact the rotating shaft during rotational movement thereof.
A rotating power connector for an electric welding system comprising:
- a connector arranged within the power connector and extending from a first end of the power connector;
- a rotating shaft arranged within the power connector and extending from a second end of the power connector, the rotating shaft to rotate about a common axis;
- and
- one or more contact extensions arranged within the power connector and encircling one or more of the connector or the rotating shaft, the one or more contact extensions are spring loaded and biased away from the common axis toward an internal surface of an inner housing to provide electrical contact between the one or more contact extensions and the internal surface during rotation of the rotating power connector relative to a cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.