Virtual testing and inspection of a virtual weldment

• US 10,643,496 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wallace, Matthew Wayne, Peters, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Application Number:
  US15/876,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20180190150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/095 Monitoring or automatic control of welding parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0953 using computing means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0956 using sensing means, e.g. optical
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131

Abstract

Arc welding simulations that provide simulation of virtual destructive and non-destructive testing and inspection of virtual weldments for training purposes. The virtual testing simulations may be performed on virtual weldments created using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system). The virtual inspection simulations may be performed on “pre-canned” (i.e. pre-defined) virtual weldments or using virtual weldments created using a virtual reality welding simulator system. In general, virtual testing may be performed using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system), and virtual inspection may be performed using a standalone virtual weldment inspection (VWI) system or using a virtual reality welding simulator system (e.g., a virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) system). In accordance with certain enhanced embodiments of the present invention, virtual testing may also be performed on a standalone VWI system.

Claims

1. A system for virtual inspecting of a virtual weldment, comprising:

a programmable processor-based subsystem;

a spatial tracker operatively coupled to the programmable processor-based subsystem;

a mock welding tool configured to be tracked by the spatial tracker;

a display operatively coupled to the programmable processor-based subsystem,

wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem is operable to execute coded instructions, the coded instructions configure the programmable processor-based subsystem to;

render, on the display, a three-dimensional (3D) virtual weldment generated in response to manipulation of the mock welding tool tracked by the spatial tracker; and

perform a virtual inspection of the 3D virtual weldment to identify at least one of pass/fail conditions or defect/discontinuity characteristics.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface operatively coupled to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured for at least manipulating an orientation of the 3D virtual weldment on the display.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem executes coded instructions to perform the virtual inspection through simulated interaction of one or more tools with the 3D virtual weldment, the one or more interactive tools being capable of manipulation via the user interface.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor-based subsystem executes coded instructions to determine a score based on how a user utilizes the one or more interactive tools to inspect the 3D virtual weldment.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more interactive tools includes at least one of a Palmgren gauge, a fillet gauge, a VWAC gauge, a sliding caliper, a micrometer, or a magnifying lens.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor-based subsystem further executes coded instructions to:

generate questions for a user regarding the 3D virtual weldment;

receive input from the user via a user interface; and

generate a score based on the input received.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the programmable-processor based subsystem is further configured to simulate formation of the 3D virtual weldment based on the manipulation of the mock welding tool as tracked by the spatial tracker.

8. A system for virtual inspecting of a virtual weldment, comprising:

a programmable processor-based subsystem;

a display device operatively coupled to the programmable processor-based subsystem; and

a user interface operatively connected to said programmable processor-based subsystem,

wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem is operable to execute coded instructions, the coded instructions configure the programmable processor-based subsystem to;

render a three-dimensional (3D) virtual weldment to the display, wherein an orientation of the of the 3D virtual weldment rendered on the display is responsive to input received via the user interface, and

enable a virtual inspection of the 3D virtual weldment to identify at least one of pass/fail conditions or defect/discontinuity characteristics.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem is further configured to:

generate a virtual environment for inspection of the 3D virtual weldment with one or more interactive tools, controllable via the user interface, to identify one or more of defects or discontinuities in the 3D virtual weldment; and

render the 3D virtual weldment under inspection in the virtual environment on the display device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more interactive tools includes at least one of a Palmgren gauge, a fillet gauge, a VWAC gauge, a sliding caliper, a micrometer, or a magnifying lens.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem executes coded instructions to enable virtual inspection through simulated interaction of one or more tools with the 3D virtual weldment, the one or more interactive tools being capable of manipulation via the user interface.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor-based subsystem executes coded instructions to determine a score based on how a user utilizes the one or more interactive tools to inspect the 3D virtual weldment.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor-based subsystem further executes coded instructions to:

generate questions for a user regarding the 3D virtual weldment;

receive input from the user via the user interface; and

generate a score based on the input received.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a simulated welding system, the simulated welding system includes:

a second programmable processor-based subsystem;

a spatial tracker operatively coupled to the programmable processor-based subsystem; and

a mock welding tool configured to be spatially tracked by the spatial tracker,

wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem is operable to execute coded instructions that cause the programmable processor-based subsystem to simulate formation of the 3D virtual weldment responsive to manipulation of the mock welding tool while tracked by the spatial tracker.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

simulate formation of a three-dimensional (3D) virtual weldment responsive to manipulation of a mock welding tool, which is spatially tracked by a spatial tracker;

render the 3D virtual weldment on a display; and

perform a virtual inspection of the 3D virtual weldment to identify at least one of a pass/fail condition or discontinuity characteristics.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further storing instructions that cause the processor to control an orientation of the 3D virtual weldment on the display in response to user input received via a user interface.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further storing instructions that cause the processor to render a simulated environment for inspection that includes one or more simulated interactive tools capable of manipulation in the environment via a user interface.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further storing instructions that cause the processor to perform the virtual inspection through simulated interaction of the one or more interactive tools with the 3D virtual weldment.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, further storing instructions that cause the processor to determine a score based on how a user utilizes the one or more interactive tools to inspect the 3D virtual weldment in the simulated environment.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further storing instructions that cause the processor to:

generate questions for a user regarding the 3D virtual weldment;

receive input from the user via a user interface; and

generate a score based on the input received.