WELDING PARAMETER CONTROL

• US 20120012561A1
• Filed: 07/07/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Wiryadinata, Indra Budiman
• Granted Patent: US 9,993,891 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/108
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0956 using sensing means, e.g. optical
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1087 Arc welding using remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/321 Protecting means protecting means in general F16P1/06

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a wireless sensor module includes a motion or position sensor configured to detect a defined motion or position of a welding operator. The wireless sensor module also includes memory circuitry configured to store the defined motion or position and an adjustment of an operating parameter of a welding system which corresponds to the defined motion or position. A processor of the wireless sensor module is coupled to the motion or position sensor and the memory circuitry, where the processor is configured to retrieve the adjustment of the operating parameter from the memory circuitry upon detection of the defined motion or position by the motion or position sensor. The wireless senor module further includes a wireless communication device coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the adjustment of the operating parameter to the welding system.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a welding power supply having a wireless receiver; and

a wireless sensor module, comprising;

a motion sensor or a position sensor coupled to a processor and configured to detect a defined motion or defined position of a welding operator;

memory circuitry coupled to the processor and configured to store the defined motion or the defined position and an adjustment of an operating parameter of the welding power supply corresponding to the defined motion or the defined position;

a wireless communication device coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the adjustment of the operating parameter to the wireless receiver of the welding power supply.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor module is integrated with a glove.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the defined motion or the define position comprises one or a combination of a forward tilt of the glove, a backward tilt of the glove, a leftward rotation of the glove, a rightward rotation of the glove, or a flex motion of digits of the glove.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor module is integrated with a boot or shoe.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor module comprises a power module configured to supply power to the wireless sensor module.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the power module comprises a photovoltaic panel.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the power module comprises a physical switch configured to open and close an electrical connection between the power module and the wireless sensor module.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor or the position sensor comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or both.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device transmits the operating parameter adjustment to the welding power supply by a radio frequency communication or an infrared communication.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the operating parameter comprises an output voltage, a current output, or a welding process.

11. A wireless sensor module, comprising:

a motion sensor or a position sensor configured to detect a defined motion or position of a welding operator;

memory circuitry configured to store the defined motion or position and a first adjustment of a first operating parameter of a welding system which corresponds to the defined motion or position;

a processor coupled to the motion sensor or the position sensor and the memory circuitry, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve the first adjustment of the first operating parameter from the memory circuitry upon detection of the defined motion or position by the motion sensor or the position sensor;

a wireless communication device coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the first adjustment of the first operating parameter to the welding system.

12. The wireless sensor module of claim 11, wherein the welding system comprises a welding power supply having a wireless receiver configured to receive the first adjustment of the first operating parameter from the wireless communication device.

13. The wireless sensor module of claim 11, comprising a flex sensor coupled to the processor and configured to detect a defined movement of a welding operator, wherein the defined movement corresponds to a second adjustment of a second operating parameter of the welding system.

14. The wireless sensor module of claim 13, wherein wireless sensor module is integrated with a glove and the flex sensor is disposed within a digit portion of the glove.

15. The wireless sensor module of claim 11, comprising a power module configured to supply power to the microprocessor, wherein the power module comprises a battery, a photovoltaic panel, or both.

16. The wireless sensor module of claim 15, wherein the power module comprises a physical switch configured to open and close an electrical circuit between the microprocessor and the power module.

17. A method, comprising:

detecting a defined motion, position, or movement with a motion or position sensor or a flex sensor of a wireless sensor module;

retrieving a operating parameter adjustment associated with the defined motion, position, or movement from memory circuitry of the wireless sensor module;

transmitting the operating parameter adjustment from the wireless sensor module to a welding system; and

adjusting an operating parameter of the welding system based on the operating parameter adjustment received from the wireless sensor module.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the operating parameter adjustment from the wireless sensor module to a welding system comprises transmitting the operating parameter adjustment from a wireless communication device of the wireless sensor module to a receiver of a welding power supply.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising powering the wireless sensor module with a power module having a battery, a photovoltaic panel, or both.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein detecting a defined motion, position, or movement with a motion or position sensor or a flex sensor of a wireless sensor module comprises detecting one or a combination of a forward tilt, a backward tilt, a leftward rotation, a rightward rotation, or a flex motion of a welding operator'"'"'s hand or digits.