US 4,641,292 A · Voice controlled welding system

Abstract

Apparatus and method are provided for permitting human voice control of a welding system. A human operator, remote from a welding power supply, uses a welding torch connected by a power line to the welding power supply. The human operator is provided with an audio transmitter which permits the operator to adjust the welding power supply through verbal commands. The verbal commands are issued by the human operator, and are transmitted through a receiver, a voice recognition unit, and a computer, which is electrically connected to deliver power control signals to the welding power supply to thereby adjust the power delivered to the welding torch. The operator may also issue verbal commands to start and stop an internal combustion engine which drives the welding power supply, when such an engine is used. Additionally, when the welding process incorporates a consumable wire electrode, the operator may verbally alter the speed at which the wire electrode is fed through the welding torch. A major advantage of the system is that changes are made without interrupting the welding process.

Claims24

Dependent claims

Apparatus for a human voice controlled welding system, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting an acoustic command signal from the human operator;
a receiver for receiving the transmitted command signal;
a voice recognition unit containing previously stored voice recognition information, for comparing the received command signal with the stored information to produce a control signal;
and
a welding power supply connected to a welding torch and responsive to the control signal from the voice recognition unit to vary the power output to the torch as orally commanded by the operator.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Voice controlled welding system

Life of this patent

Voice controlled welding system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24