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US 2019/0337076 A1Published application
Gravity-based weld travel speed sensing system and method
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsBruce Patrick Albrecht, William Todd Watson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A welding system includes an orientation sensing system associated with a welding torch and is configured to sense a welding torch orientation relative to a direction of gravity. The welding system also includes a processing system communicatively couple to the orientation sensing system and configured to determine an angular position of the welding torch relative to a pipe based at least in part on the sense welding torch orientation.
Claims20
A welding system, comprising:
- an orientation sensing system associated with a welding torch and is configured to sense a welding torch orientation relative to a direction of gravity;
- and
- a processing system communicatively coupled to the orientation sensing system and configured to determine an angular position of the welding torch relative to a pipe based at least in part on the sensed welding torch orientation and a radius of the pipe.
A method comprising:
- sensing an initial orientation of a welding torch at an initial location of a pipe using one or more orientation sensors;
- sensing an angular orientation of the welding torch at an angular location of the pipe using the one or more orientation sensors;
- determining an angular change in orientation between the initial orientation and the angular orientation;
- and
- deriving a travel distance of the welding torch from the initial location to the angular location based on the angular change.
2 more elements
A retro-fit kit configured to couple to a welding torch, comprising:
- an accelerometer configured to determine an initial orientation of the welding torch and a subsequent angular orientation;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- determine an angular change in orientation between the initial orientation and the subsequent angular orientation;
- and
- derive a travel speed of the welding torch based on a travel distance from the initial location to the angular location determined using the angular change and a radius of the pipe at a weld joint.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.