Wire spool alignment method in wire feed welding systems
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorMarlin Eugene Burns
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel system for mounting welding wire spools of different sizes on a mounting spindle of a wire feed system is provided. The invention may reduce or eliminate wire feedability difficulties and welding arc outages arising from misalignment of the wire spool and inconsistent wire feeds. The invention provides a medium and large wire spool mounting system including a spool mounting hub, a movable back plate configured with a locking slot arrangement, and a left threaded nut plate. Furthermore, the invention provides a system for mounting small wire spools on a keyed shaft of a wire feed system comprised of washers, a spring, and a knurled nut. A braking system including washers, a spring, and a knurled nut is provided for the prevention of wire spool free wheeling during non-welding periods.
Claims20
A system for mounting welding wire spools of different sizes on a mounting spindle of a wire feed system, comprising:
- a hub having a central portion for holding wire spools of different sizes, a first end having a locking slot arrangement formed in an outer surface thereof, and a threaded second end, wherein the locking slot arrangement comprises a central axial slot, at least one circumferential extension, and at least one axially disposed locking recess;
- a first plate configured to slide axially through the central axial slot, to slide circumferentially through the circumferential extension, and to slide axially into the axially disposed locking recess to lock within the locking slot arrangement of the first end to limit movement of a wire spool when disposed on the hub and to substantially prevent circumferential rotation of the first plate;
- and
- a second plate configured to be threaded onto the second end to hold the wire spool between the first and second plates.
A system for mounting welding wire spools of different sizes in a wire feed system, comprising:
- a mounting spindle having a first end rigidly supported by a support structure, and a threaded second end;
- a hub having a central portion for holding wire spools of different sizes, a first end having a locking slot arrangement formed in an outer surface thereof, and a threaded second end, wherein the locking slot arrangement comprises at least one axially disposed locking recess;
- a first plate configured to slide within the locking slot arrangement and to lock in the at least one axially disposed locking recess to substantially prevent circumferential rotation of the first plate and to limit movement of a wire spool when disposed on the hub;
- a second plate configured to be threaded onto the second end to hold the wire spool between the first and second plates;
- and
- a nut received on the threaded second end of the spindle.
A method for mounting welding wire spools of different sizes on a mounting spindle of a wire feed system, comprising:
- mounting a first plate on a hub, the hub having a central portion for holding wire spools of different sizes, a first end having a locking slot arrangement formed in an outer surface thereof, and a threaded second end, wherein the locking slot arrangement comprises at least one axially disposed locking recess;
- mounting the hub on the mounting spindle;
- adjusting a position of the first plate in the locking slot arrangement to lock in the axially disposed locking recess to substantially prevent circumferential rotation of the first plate based upon the size of a welding wire spool to be disposed on the hub;
- disposing a welding wire spool on the hub;
- and
- threading a second plate on the second end of the hub to hold the wire spool between the first and second plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.