# US 2017/0282275 A1 · Impending thermal shutdown alert system and thermal shutdown process > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282275 A1 - Document ID: US20170282275A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/083,936 - Filed: 2016-03-29 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-29 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Milad Pashapour Nikou; Craig Steven Knoener; Daniel James Helein; Alan Manthe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282275A1 ## CPC - B23K 9/1043: {characterised by the electric circuit (B23K9/1012 takes precedence)} - B23K 9/0953: {using computing means} - B23K 9/0956: {using sensing means, e.g. optical} - B23K 9/10: Other electric circuits therefor; Protective circuits; Remote controls - B23K 9/1012: {characterised by parts of the process} - B23K 9/1062: {with computing means} - B23K 9/16: making use of shielding gas - B23K 37/003: Cooling means for welding or cutting - H05H 1/36: Circuit arrangements (H05H1/38, H05H1/40 take precedence) - H05H 1/3473: {Safety means} - 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 - H05H: PLASMA TECHNIQUE (apparatus or processes specially adapted for producing X-rays H05G2/00); PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS ## Abstract A welding-type system with a programmed controller and alert devices for alerting a user as to the impending thermal shutdown of the welding-type system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A welding-type system, comprising: a device susceptible to an excessive temperature condition; a temperature measuring circuit with a sensor to measure a temperature of the device and generate an instant temperature value; storage in which is stored a predetermined shutdown temperature value and (a) a lower, predetermined pre-shutdown temperature value, or (b) a predetermined temperature offset value; a device controller coupled to receive the instant temperature value from the temperature measuring circuit, the control circuit programmed to compare the instant temperature value with (a) the predetermined pre-shutdown temperature value or (b) the predetermined shutdown temperature value less the predetermined temperature offset value and generate an alert signal depending on a result of the comparison; and an impending shutdown alert controller coupled to the control circuit. ### Claim 2 A welding-type system comprising: an instant temperature determination unit; a data processor in communication with the instant temperature determination unit; memory in communication with the data processor and storing a thermal shutdown temperature value and an impending thermal shutdown temperature value or a temperature offset value; and an impending shutdown alert signal generator in communication with the data processor, wherein, the data processor is programmed to cause the impending shut down alert signal generator to generate an impending shutdown alert signal when an instant temperature determined by the instant temperature determination unit at least is greater than an impending thermal shutdown temperature. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the data processor is programmed to cause the impending shut down alert signal generator to generate an impending shutdown alert signal when an instant temperature determined by the instant temperature determination unit at least is equal to or greater than an impending thermal shutdown temperature. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the alert signal is a modulated signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the alert signal is an analog signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) . The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the alert signal is a digital signal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, comprising one or more alerts driven by the alert signal, the alerts including one or more of a motor, a light, an audible alert, and a vibration unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, comprising two or more alert signal generators. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, comprising two or more alerts driven by the two or more alert signal generators, respectively, the alerts including one or more of a motor, a light, an audible alert, and a vibration unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the memory includes a shutdown routine that is invoked by the data processor when the electrical circuit, component, or device, reaches the impending over-temperature temperature. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the welding-type system is a welding system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the welding-type system is a cladding system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the welding-type system is an electrical generator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The welding-type system of claim 2, wherein the temperature determination unit includes a thermister or a thermostat. ### Claim 15 A welding-type system comprising a controller board including a processor programed to monitor for an over temperature condition of an apparatus, to invoke a thermal shut down routine when the over temperature condition occurs, place the system in an error state, and maintain the system in the error state until the over temperature condition is cleared. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The welding-type system of claim 15, wherein the welding-type system is a plasma cutting system, and the thermal shutdown routine includes maintaining a flow of gas in a torch head. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The welding-type system of claim 15, wherein the welding-type system is a welding-system and the thermal shutdown routine includes shutting down weld current. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The welding-type system of claim 15, wherein the processor is programmed to maintain the apparatus in a stand by mode until triggered to operate by a user. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The welding-type system of claim 15, wherein the processor is programmed to prevent operation of the apparatus until the over temperature condition is cleared.