Wire feeding systems with built-in rotating power connectors
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorRobert Joseph Centner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example welding-type system includes a wire feeder for providing electrode wire to a welding torch comprising one or more drive rolls configured to retract or advance the electrode wire; a rotating power connector comprising an outer portion with a hollow bore; and an inner sleeve within the hollow bore, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to receive a power pin of the welding torch in alignment with the one or more drive rolls, conduct electrical power to the power pin, and permit the power pin to rotate with respect to the outer portion, wherein the outer portion is fixed within the wire feeder.
Claims14
A wire feeder for providing electrode wire to a welding torch comprising:
- one or more drive rolls configured to retract or advance the electrode wire;
- a rotating power connector comprising:
- an outer portion with a hollow bore;
- and
- an inner sleeve within the hollow bore, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to receive a power pin of the welding torch in alignment with the one or more drive rolls, conduct electrical power to the power pin, and permit the power pin to rotate with respect to the outer portion,
- wherein the outer portion is fixed within the wire feeder.
A welding system comprising:
- a welding torch comprising a power pin;
- a wire feeder configured to provide electrode wire to the welding torch and comprising:
- one or more drive rolls configured to retract or advance the electrode wire;
- a rotating power connector between the one or more drive rolls and the power pin of the welding torch to provide an electrical connection from the wire feeder to the welding torch and comprising:
- an outer portion with a hollow bore;
- and
- an inner sleeve within the hollow bore, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to receive the power pin of the welding torch in alignment with the one or more drive rolls and permit the power pin to rotate with respect to the outer portion,
- wherein the outer portion is fixed within the wire feeder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.