Modular welding system
OwnerWilliam L. Bong, Charles A. Bockinventors
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Abstract
A modular welding system for performing quick, easy and high quality welds. The modular welding system comprises a basic component system and a modular fixture component system. The basic component system provides the basic components which are needed to perform a quality weld efficiently. The modular fixture component system interfaces with the basic component system and provides a particular welding fixture assembly that performs a particular type of weld. More particularly, a stiffener type modular fixture component system and a butt/tee type modular fixture system are described. However, any other particular fixture type system may be integrated with the basic component system of the present invention.
Claims24
A modular welding system, comprising:
- (a) a basic component system having an operator control module which controls a power supply and controls a wire feeder;
- and
- (b) a plurality of modular fixture component systems which interface with said basic component system, each of said modular fixture component systems controlled by said operator control module and having a particular fixture assembly which performs a particular type of weld.
A modular welding system having a basic component system which comprises:
- a boom configured to receive at least one welding wire, said boom configured to provide a mechanical and electrical interface to a plurality of modular fixture component systems, each of said plurality of modular fixture component systems having a particular assembly that performs a particular type of weld;
- a wire feeder coupled to said boom, said wire feeder configured to transfer said at least one wire across said boom;
- and
- an operator's control module configured to control said wire feeder.
A modular fixture component system that interfaces mechanically and electrically with a basic component system, said basic component system having an operator control module that controls actions performed by said modular fixture component system, comprising:
- a weld torch configured to receive at least one welding wire from a wire feeder, said weld torch also configured to receive a consumable guide tube which receives said at least one wire, said weld torch configured to communicate power generated by a power supply to said guide tube;
- and
- an oscillator slide configured to oscillate said weld torch.
A modular welding system comprising:
- a basic component system including:
- an operator control module which controls a power supply and controls a wire feeder,
- a power supply control module which communicates inputs from said operator control module to said power supply,
- a wire feeder control module which communicates inputs from said operator control module to said wire feeder,
- an articulated boom;
- a modular fixture system configured to interface with said articulated boom, said modular welding system having a weld torch which receives said at least one welding wire from said wire feeder, said modular fixture component system controlled by said operator module, and said modular fixture component system includes a stiffener fixture frame.
A modular welding system, comprising:
- a basic component system, comprising:
- an operator control module which controls a power supply and controls a wire feeder,
- a power supply control module which communicates inputs from said operator control module to said power supply,
- a wire feeder control module which communicates inputs from said operator control module to said wire feeder,
- an articulated boom;
- a modular fixture system configured to interface with said articulated boom, said modular welding system having a weld torch which receives said at least one welding wire from said wire feeder, said modular fixture component system controlled by said operator module, and said modular fixture component system includes a butt/tee fixture frame.
A modular welding system having a modular fixture component system, comprising:
- a weld torch configured to receive at least one welding wire from a wire feeder, said weld torch also configured to receive a consumable guide tube which receives said at least one wire, said weld torch configured to communicate power generated by a power supply to said guide tube;
- at least one manual slide to position said weld torch;
- a weld torch rotator configured to rotate said weld torch;
- two weld shoes which define a weld cavity which receives said guide tube;
- an oscillator slide configured to oscillate said weld torch;
- an oscillation control module which controls said oscillator slide;
- and
- a stiffener fixture frame.
A modular welding system having a modular fixture component system, comprising:
- a weld torch configured to receive at least one welding wire from a wire feeder, said weld torch also configured to receive a consumable guide tube which receives said at least one wire, said weld torch configured to communicate power generated by a power supply to said guide tube;
- at least one manual slide to position said weld torch;
- a weld torch rotator configured to rotate said weld torch;
- two weld shoes which define a weld cavity which receives said guide tube;
- an oscillator slide configured to oscillate said weld torch;
- an oscillation control module which controls said oscillator slide;
- and
- a butt/tee fixture frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.