System and method for data communications over a gas hose in a welding-type application
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorBrian L. Ott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention includes a system and method of controlling a remotely located welding-type power source. A communications system includes a user interface to accept a user input at a portable location and a gas purging device to systematically purge pressurized gas from a gas line connecting the portable location to a remote location based on the user input. The communications system also includes a sensor to sense pressure changes in the gas line at the remote location and a processor configured to convert the sensed pressure changes to a representation of the user input.
Claims37
A communications system operable with a welding-type apparatus comprising:
- a user interface to accept a user input at a portable location;
- a gas state modifier to systematically alter a state of gas flow in a gas line based on the user input, the gas line connecting the portable location to a remote location and used to facilitate a welding-type application;
- a sensor to sense gas flow state changes in the gas line at the remote location;
- and
- a processor configured to convert the gas flow state changes to a representation of the user input to modify operation of the welding-type application.
A welding-type communications transmitter comprising:
- a gas flow controller configured to control shielding gas flow to a torch from a gas supply line connected to a gas source to provide shielding gas to the torch;
- at least one user interface configured to accept at least one desired operational parameter of a desired welding-type process;
- an electronic transmission controller configured to:
- accept the at least one operational parameter;
- and
- control the gas flow controller to communicate the at least one operational parameter across the gas supply line.
A welding-type power source control module comprising:
- an inlet configured to receive gas from a gas source;
- an outlet configured to allow the gas to pass from the control module;
- a passage connecting the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- monitor the passage to determine variations in a flow rate of the gas indicative of a communications bit stream;
- read the communications bit stream;
- determine a user-selected operational parameter from the communications bit stream;
- and
- communicate the user-selected operational parameter to a welding-type power source.
A communications kit configured to retrofit a welding-type system comprising:
- a transmission module configured to accept a user-selected welding-type parameter and control a flow of gas to encode the user-selected welding-type parameter thereon;
- and
- a receiver module configured to monitor the flow of gas to receive and decode the user-selected welding-type parameter therefrom and communicate the user-selected welding-type parameter to a welding-type power source.
A method of communicating data over a welding-type gas line comprising:
- receiving a user input at a portable location;
- systematically purging pressurized gas from a gas line connecting the portable location to a remote location based on the user input;
- sensing pressure changes in the gas line at the remote location;
- and
- interpreting the sensed pressure changes to a digital representation of the user input.
A welding-type communications transmitter comprising:
- a gas flow controller configured to control gas flow from a gas supply line connected to a gas source;
- at least one user interface configured to accept at least one desired operational parameter of a desired welding-type process, the at least one user interface having a voltage selection input;
- a transmission controller configured to:
- accept the at least one operational parameter;
- and
- control the gas flow controller to communicate the at least one operational parameter across the gas supply line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.