US 4,399,346 A · Optoelectronic weld travel speed sensor

Abstract

The sensor of the present invention is adapted for use on the electrode holder of a manual arc welding apparatus. The sensor comprises a first optical fiber having a receiving end disposed in a first zone adjacent to the weld puddle produced by the arc welder so as to receive radiation indicative of the weld temperature in that zone, and a second optical fiber having a receiving end disposed in a second zone rearward of the first zone so as to receive radiation indicative of the weld temperature in the second zone. Each optical fiber transmits received radiation to a respective photosensor, which produces an analog electrical signal in accordance with the level of the radiation. These two signals are processed and compared continuously to produce an output signal indicative of the travel speed of the weld bead produced by the manual arc welding apparatus.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A weld speed monitoring system adapted to be utilized with a welding apparatus producing a continuous weld bead along a surface, which system comprises:

first sensor means for receiving radiation emitted from said weld bead in a first zone and for producing a first signal indicative of the level of the radiation emitted from said first zone;
second sensor means for receiving radiation emitted from said weld bead in a second zone and for producing a second signal indicative of the level of said radiation emitted from said second zone, wherein said second zone is disposed in spaced relation to said first zone along said weld bead;
and
comparator means for producing an output signal in accordance with said first and second signals.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optoelectronic weld travel speed sensor

Life of this patent

Optoelectronic weld travel speed sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15