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US 6,855,914 B1Granted
Method and apparatus to automatically determine type of gun connected to a wire feeder
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsCharles L. Kaufman, Albert M. Nowak, Jeffery R. Ihde
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process is disclosed that monitors a characteristic of a welding gun connected to a wire feeder and, based on the detected characteristic, automatically determines the type of gun connected and sets operating parameters of the wire feeder and/or welding gun accordingly.
Claims26
A wire feeder comprising:
- an output connectable to a gun assembly;
- a controller configured to automatically determine a type of gun assembly connected to the output;
- a motor assembly configured to deliver a consumable electrode to a weld when the gun assembly is activated;
- and
- wherein the controller is further configured to determine gun assembly type based on an impedance of a motor assembly in the gun when the gun assembly is first activated.
2 more elements
A controller for a welding-type system, the controller configured to:
- detect an impedance of a motor assembly designed to deliver welding wire to a weld;
- from the impedance, determine a type of load placed on the motor assembly;
- and
- based on the type of load, automatically set an output mode of the motor assembly.
1 more element
A method of controlling operation of a wire feeder, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining configuration of pins in a controller connecting a welding gun assembly to a wire feeder:
- from the configuration, automatically setting an output mode of a motor assembly in the wire feeder;
- and
- determining an impedance of a gun motor assembly disposed in the welding gun assembly and setting the output mode of the gun motor assembly based on the impedance.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- a wire feeder defined by a plurality of side panels, a cover panel, and a base;
- a motor disposed in the wire feeder and configured to drive a spooled wire to a weld;
- an output terminal connected to a surface of the wire feeder and configured to electrically connect the wire feeder to a welding-type component;
- and
- a controller configured to automatically determine a type of gun assembly connected to the output terminal.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.