Optical-based weld travel speed sensing system
First Claim
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1. A travel speed sensing system, comprising:
- an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch, wherein the optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and wherein the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light, the optical sensor is configured to acquire images of a surface in a weld area, the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine the travel speed of the welding torch based on the images, and the optical sensor comprises a range finding mechanism configured to determine a distance from the optical sensor to the surface, and wherein the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine the travel speed based on the distance.
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Abstract
A travel speed sensing system includes an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch. The optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A travel speed sensing system, comprising:
an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch, wherein the optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and wherein the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light, the optical sensor is configured to acquire images of a surface in a weld area, the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine the travel speed of the welding torch based on the images, and the optical sensor comprises a range finding mechanism configured to determine a distance from the optical sensor to the surface, and wherein the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine the travel speed based on the distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A welding torch assembly, comprising:
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a welding torch configured to generate a welding arc between the welding torch and a workpiece; an optical sensor coupled to the welding torch and configured to output a signal indicative of light sensed by the optical sensor to a travel speed sensing system, wherein the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch based on the signal; and a positioning mechanism coupled to the welding torch and the optical sensor, wherein the positioning mechanism is configured to maintain the optical sensor at a specific distance relative to a surface in a weld area across a range of angles of the welding torch relative to the workpiece, across a range of distances of the welding torch relative to the workpiece, or both. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A travel speed sensing system, comprising:
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an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch, wherein the optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and wherein the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light, the optical sensor is configured to acquire images of a surface in a weld area, and the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine the travel speed of the welding torch based on the images; and a positioning mechanism configured to maintain the optical sensor at a specific distance relative to the surface in the weld area across a range of angles of the welding torch relative to a workpiece, across a range of distances of the welding torch relative to the workpiece, or both. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification