Adaptive twin consumable welding
AssigneeThe ESAB Group, Inc.
InventorsZeljko Ackar, Edwin Bergstedt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A contact device for a welding apparatus is disclosed. The contact device is for providing current to a first welding wire and a second welding wire. The contact device includes first and second contact jaws. The first and second contact jaws include a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves formed therein that form passageways for the welding wires. The welding wires can be positioned in a first configuration in which they are spaced apart and in a second configuration in which they are next to and contact each other.
Claims20
A contact device for providing current to at least a first welding wire and a second welding wire, the contact device comprising:
- a first contact jaw having an inner surface defining a plurality of grooves;
- and
- a second contact jaw, wherein the plurality of grooves of the first contact jaw includes a first pair of grooves and a second pair of grooves different from the first pair of grooves, and each of the plurality of grooves on the first contact jaw is sized so that it can receive a welding wire.
A contact device for providing current to a first welding wire and a second welding wire, the contact device having a first operating configuration and a second operating configuration different from the first operating configuration, the contact device comprising:
- a first contact jaw having an inner surface defining a first pair of grooves and a second pair of grooves;
- and
- a second contact jaw having an inner surface defining a first pair of grooves and a second pair of grooves, wherein when the inner surface of the first contact jaw is proximate to the inner surface of the second contact jaw, the first pairs of grooves are aligned with each other and form a first pair of passageways along the first contact jaw and the second contact jaw, and the second pairs of grooves are aligned with each other and form a second pair of passageways along the first contact jaw and the second contact jaw, and in the first operating configuration the first welding wire and the second welding wire are disposed in the first pair of passageways, and in the second operating configuration the first welding wire and the second welding wire are disposed in the second pair of passageways.
A method of welding using a contact device for providing current to a first welding wire and a second welding wire, the contact device including a first contact jaw and a second contact jaw, the first contact jaw and the second contact jaw defining therebetween a first pair of passageways and a second pair of passageways, the contact device having a first operating configuration and a second operating configuration, the method comprising:
- placing the contact device in the first operating configuration;
- providing current to the first welding wire and the second welding wire;
- moving the first contact jaw away from the second contact jaw to access the first welding wire and the second welding wire;
- placing the contact device in the second operating configuration;
- and
- providing current to the first welding wire and the second welding wire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.