Rotating power connector for welding torch cables
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorRyan Lizotte
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. An example rotating power connector for an electric welding torch includes a housing, a socket arranged within the housing at a first end of the housing and configured to receive a welding torch neck, a connector extending from a second end of the housing and rotatably coupled to the socket, the connector configured to be secured to a welding cable, and one or more electrical contacts arranged within the housing and positioned between the socket and the connector, the one or more electrical contacts providing an electrical connection between the socket and the connector during rotation of the connector with respect to the socket.
Claims17
A rotating power connector for an electric welding torch comprising:
- a housing;
- a socket arranged within the housing at a first end of the housing and configured to receive a welding torch neck;
- a connector extending from a second end of the housing and rotatably coupled to the socket, the connector configured to be secured to a welding cable;
- and
- one or more electrical contacts arranged within the housing and positioned between the socket and the connector, the one or more electrical contacts providing an electrical connection between the socket and the connector during rotation of the connector or the welding torch neck with respect to the socket.
A robotic welding system comprising:
- a robotic arm;
- a welding cable;
- a wire feeder;
- a welding torch neck attached to the robotic arm;
- and
- a rotating power connector between the welding power cable and the welding torch neck to provide an electrical connection and shielding gas from the welding power cable to the welding torch neck, the rotating power connector comprising:
- a housing;
- a socket arranged within the housing at a first end of the housing, the socket configured to receive the welding torch neck;
- a connector extending from a second end of the housing and rotatably coupled to the socket, the connector configured to be secured to the welding power cable;
- and
- one or more electrical contacts arranged within the housing and positioned between the socket and the connector, the one or more electrical contacts providing an electrical connection between the socket and the connector during rotation of the connector or the welding torch neck with respect to the socket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.