Wireless communication system for welding-type devices

• US 9,138,825 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2005
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Albrecht, Bruce, Ulrich, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): JENNISON, BRIAN W
• Application Number:
  US11/163,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20070080149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,637 Days
• Field of Search: 219/130.01, 219/132, 219/137.71, 340/539.13, 340/539.17, 340/531
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/10 Other electric circuits therefor; Protective circuits; Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1087 Arc welding using remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/32 Accessories earthing connections H01R
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4063 Monitoring general control system G05B19/4062 takes precedence

Abstract

A welding-type device has wireless communications to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification information or location information. The information may be transmitted either automatically or in response to request signals. Such a welding-type device may be configured to communicate with other welding-type devices, a monitoring device, or both. A wireless communication system has at least one welding-type device, at least one wireless communication assembly, and at least one monitoring device and is capable of assisting a user in locating particular welding-type devices, preventing theft of welding-type devices, and scheduling preventive maintenance.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a welding-type device;

a data storage unit associated with the welding-type device and storing identification information of the welding-type device, system type information relating to a system type of the welding-type device, and location information of the welding-type device within a network stored thereon, wherein the location information comprises data that enables determination of a physical location of the welding-type device, wherein the system type information comprises a welding-type process the welding-type device is configured to perform;

one or more sensors configured to provide operational status information of the welding-type device, wherein the operational status information indicates whether the welding-type device is on or off, whether the welding-type device is operating or not, a power level of the welding-type device, an operational error of the welding-type device, or resource information relating to statuses of resources associated with the welding-type device; and

a wireless communication unit operationally attached to the data storage unit, the wireless communication unit configured to receive a system-type identification request from a monitoring device, to determine whether the welding-type device is configured to perform a specific welding-type process based at least in part on the system type information stored in the data storage unit, and to emit a signal carrying the identification information, the location information, and the operational status information in response to the system-type identification request received from the monitoring device, wherein the system-type identification request represents a query for welding-type devices configured to perform the specific welding-type process, and the wireless communication unit emits the signal only if the welding-type device is determined to be configured to perform the specific welding-type process.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to periodically emit a beacon signal containing the identification information and the location information.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the identification information further comprises a unique ID number, an ownership identifier, or a system identifier.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication unit is further configured to receive signals and emit corresponding response signals.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to emit a signal containing the operational status information upon receiving a status request signal and to emit a signal containing identification information upon receiving a location request signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sensors and interfaces connected to the data storage unit and configured to upload system software upgrades and input operation information including at least one of a history of usage, a history of maintenance performed, a schedule of preventive maintenance, existing and imminent operational problems, current device resources, real-time operation status, or operator notes to the data storage unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data storage unit and the wireless communication unit comprise an active or a passive RFID device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication unit communicates by at least one of RF signals, infrared signals, optical signals, sub-sonic signals, or ultra-sonic signals.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the network is a mesh network comprising at least one other welding-type device and at least one monitoring device so as to relay signals across the network, thereby extending a range of the network.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the data storage unit or the wireless communication unit is disposed in the welding-type device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the data storage unit or the wireless communication unit is affixed to an outer surface of the welding-type device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data comprises GPS data, DME/VOR data, or LORAN data.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data comprises an absolute location of the welding-type device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the system type information for the welding-type device specifies whether the welding-type device is configured to perform a welding process, a plasma cutting process, or an induction heating process.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the system-type identification request represents a query for welding-type devices configured to perform a welding process, a plasma cutting process, or an induction heating process.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data storage unit stores the resource information relating to the statuses of the resources associated with the welding-type device.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resource information includes information relating to an amount of remaining shielding gas, a list of accessories attached to the welding-type device, or whether the accessories are compatible with the system type of the welding-type device.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to emit the signal carrying the resource information from the data storage unit in response to the system-type identification request.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to emit the signal carrying information relating to when additional resources will be required based on the resource information in response to the system-type identification request.