System and device for welding training

• US 9,368,045 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Becker, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Egloff, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fletcher, Jerry-Daryl
• Application Number:
  US13/799,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20140134580A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 434/219, 434/234
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/095 Monitoring or automatic control of welding parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/16 making use of shielding gas selection of media B23K35/38
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/32 Accessories earthing connections H01R
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/163 Determination of attitude using inertial means G01C9/00; control of attitude G05D1/49
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• 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

A system and device for welding training. In one example, a welding system includes a device configured to be used with the welding system. The device includes a first marker having a first shape and a first color. The welding device also includes a second marker having a second shape and a second color. The first and second colors are different or the first and second shapes are different. Further, the first and second markers are configured to be detected by a video game system, a computer accessory, or some combination thereof, to determine a position of the device, an orientation of the device, or some combination thereof.

Claims

1. A welding system comprising:

a first device configured to be used within the welding system, the first device comprising;

a welding torch;

a first marker disposed on the welding torch, the first marker having a first shape and a first color;

a second marker disposed on the welding torch, the second marker having a second shape and a second color, wherein the first and second colors are different, the first and second shapes are different, or some combination thereof, and wherein the first and second markers are configured to be detected by a video game system, a computer accessory, or some combination thereof, to determine a position of the welding torch, an orientation of the welding torch, or some combination thereof; and

a welding guidance indicator coupled to the welding torch, wherein the welding guidance indicator comprises a plurality of outputs viewable by a welding operator, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs is configured to illuminate based at least in part on the orientation of the welding torch relative to a welding workpiece.

2. The welding system of claim 1, comprising a second device configured to be used within the welding system, wherein the second device comprises the welding workpiece, or a representation of the welding workpiece.

3. The welding system of claim 1, comprising a second device configured to be used within the welding system, wherein the second device comprises the welding workpiece, and the welding workpiece comprises a display configured to display a virtual weld pool, a virtual weld bead, a virtual weld arc, or some combination thereof.

4. The welding system of claim 1, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs is configured to illuminate based at least in part on a work angle of the welding torch relative to the welding workpiece.

5. The welding system of claim 1, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs is configured to illuminate based at least in part on a torch angle of the welding torch relative to the welding workpiece.

6. The welding system of claim 1, wherein a flashing speed of one or more outputs of the plurality of outputs is based at least in part on a travel speed of the welding torch relative to the welding workpiece.

7. The welding system of claim 1, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs is illuminated when the welding torch is at a desired orientation relative to the welding workpiece.

8. The welding system of claim 1, wherein none of the outputs of the plurality of outputs is illuminated when the welding torch is at a desired orientation relative to the welding workpiece.

9. A welding torch comprising:

a welding guidance indicator coupled to the welding torch, wherein the welding guidance indicator comprises a plurality of outputs viewable by a welding operator, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs is configured to illuminate based at least in part on a work angle of the welding torch relative to a workpiece, a travel angle of the welding torch relative to the workpiece, a travel speed of the welding torch relative to the workpiece, or any combination thereof; and

first and second markers disposed on a nozzle of the welding torch, wherein the first and second markers are configured to be detected by a video game system, a computer accessory, or some combination thereof.

10. The welding torch of claim 9, wherein the welding guidance indicator comprises a display.

11. The welding torch of claim 9, wherein the plurality of outputs comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

12. The welding torch of claim 9, wherein a flashing speed of one or more outputs of the plurality of outputs is based at least in part on the travel speed of the welding torch.

13. The welding torch of claim 9, wherein the first and second markers are disposed on the welding torch such that the video game system, the computer accessory, or some combination thereof, is capable of determining a pitch of the welding torch, a roll of the welding torch, a yaw of the welding torch, or some combination thereof.

14. The welding torch of claim 9, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs is illuminated when the welding torch is at a desired work angle and a desired travel angle.

15. The welding torch of claim 9, wherein none of the outputs of the plurality of outputs is illuminated when the welding torch is at a desired work angle and a desired travel angle.

16. A welding system comprising:

a welding torch comprising a welding guidance indicator, wherein the welding guidance indicator comprises a plurality of outputs viewable by a welding operator;

a memory comprising processor-executable instructions; and

a processor coupled to the memory and to the welding guidance indicator, wherein the processor is configured to execute the processor-executable instructions, and the processor-executable instructions comprise instructions to;

show a virtual workpiece comprising;

a first virtual marker on the virtual workpiece; and

a second virtual marker on the virtual workpiece, wherein the first and second virtual markers are configured to be visually detected by a video game system, a computer accessory, or some combination thereof, to determine a position of the virtual workpiece, an orientation of the virtual workpiece, or some combination thereof; and

illuminate each output of the plurality of outputs of the welding guidance indicator based at least in part on the orientation of the welding torch relative to the virtual workpiece, a travel speed of the welding torch relative to the virtual workpiece, or any combination thereof.

17. The welding system of claim 16, wherein the processor-executable instructions comprise instructions to show a virtual bead disposed on the virtual workpiece.

18. The welding system of claim 16, comprising the welding torch configured to perform a virtual weld on the virtual workpiece.

19. The welding system of claim 16, comprising a display coupled to the processor, wherein the display is configured to show the virtual workpiece.