Welding torch for a welding training system

• US 9,583,023 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Becker, William J., Pfeifer, Kyle A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fletcher, Jerry-Daryl
• Application Number:
  US13/837,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20140272835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 434/234, 219/119, 219/131, 219/137.31
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/0953 using computing means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/32 Accessories earthing connections H01R
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• 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 welding training system includes a welding training software having a first training mode configured to simulate a welding arc and a second training mode configured to use a live welding arc. The welding training system is configured to block welding power flow between a welding power supply and a welding torch while the welding training software is in the first training mode. The welding training system is also configured to enable the welding power to flow between the welding power supply and the welding torch while the welding training software is in the second training mode.

Claims

1. A welding torch comprising:

a mechanically actuated trigger switch having a trigger open position and a trigger closed position; and

an electrically actuated training switch coupled with the mechanically actuated trigger switch via a conductor, wherein the electrically actuated training switch is configured to close when the electrically actuated training switch receives a trigger enable signal, and wherein welding power flows through the welding torch only while both the electrically actuated training switch is closed and the mechanically actuated trigger switch is in the trigger closed position.

2. The welding torch of claim 1, comprising a trigger coupled to the mechanically actuated trigger switch, wherein the mechanically actuated trigger switch is positioned in the trigger closed position when the trigger is actuated, and the mechanically actuated trigger switch is positioned in the trigger open position when the trigger is not actuated.

3. The welding torch of claim 1, comprising control circuitry coupled to the electrically actuated training switch, wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the trigger enable signal to close the electrically actuated training switch when a welding system coupled to the welding torch is in a live-arc mode, and the control circuitry is configured to control the trigger enable signal to open the electrically actuated training switch when the welding system is in another mode.

4. The welding torch of claim 3, wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the trigger enable signal to position the electrically actuated training switch in the trigger open position when then welding system is in a simulation mode.

5. The welding torch of claim 1, wherein a default position of the electrically actuated training switch is open.

6. The welding torch of claim 1, comprising control circuitry coupled to the mechanically actuated trigger switch, wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive a signal when the mechanically actuated trigger switch is in the trigger closed position regardless of whether the electrically actuated training switch is opened or closed.

7. The welding torch of claim 6, wherein the control circuitry is configured to record data corresponding to a sensed position or sensed orientation of the welding torch upon receipt of the signal.

8. The welding torch of claim 1, comprising a plurality of markers positioned about the welding torch to enable a sensing device to determine a property of the welding torch based at least in part on a subset of the plurality of markers within a field of view of the sensing device, wherein the property of the welding torch comprises a position of the welding torch, an orientation of the welding torch, or any combination thereof.

9. The welding torch of claim 8, wherein the plurality of markers comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

10. A welding system comprising:

a first mechanical switch coupled to a trigger;

a second electrical switch coupled with the first mechanical switch via a conductor disposed between the first mechanical switch and the second electrical switch; and

control circuitry coupled to the first mechanical switch and the second electrical switch, wherein actuation of the trigger to close the first mechanical switch is configured to supply a first signal to the control circuitry to record data corresponding to a sensed position or a sensed orientation of a welding torch, a second signal from the control circuitry to the second electrical switch is configured to close the second electrical switch, and weld power is configured to flow to the welding torch only when the first mechanical switch is closed and the second electrical switch is closed.

11. The welding system of claim 10, wherein the control circuitry is only configured to supply the second signal to the second electrical switch when the welding system is in a live-arc mode.

12. The welding system of claim 10, comprising the welding torch, wherein the welding torch comprises the first mechanical switch and the second electrical switch.

13. The welding system of claim 10, wherein a default position of the second electrical switch is an open position that blocks flow of the weld power to the welding torch.

14. The welding system of claim 10, wherein the first signal is configured to control the start of a welding training simulation when the second electrical switch is in an open position.

15. The welding system of claim 10, comprising the welding torch, wherein the welding torch comprises the first mechanical switch and the trigger, and second electrical switch and the control circuitry are disposed in a separate component of the welding system.

16. A welding torch comprising:

a mechanically actuated trigger switch having a trigger open position and a trigger closed position;

an electrically actuated training switch coupled with the mechanically actuated trigger switch via a conductor, wherein the electrically actuated training switch is configured to close when the electrically actuated training switch receives a trigger enable signal, and wherein welding power flows through the welding torch only while both the electrically actuated training switch is closed and the mechanically actuated trigger switch is in the trigger closed position; and

comprising control circuitry coupled to the electrically actuated training switch, wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the trigger enable signal to close the electrically actuated training switch when a welding system coupled to the welding torch is in a live-arc mode, and the control circuitry is configured to control the trigger enable signal to open the electrically actuated training switch when the welding system is in a simulation mode, a virtual reality mode, or an augmented reality mode.

17. The welding torch of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive a signal when the mechanically actuated trigger switch is in the trigger closed position regardless of whether the electrically actuated training switch is opened or closed.

18. The welding torch of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry is configured to record data corresponding to a sensed position or sensed orientation of the welding torch upon receipt of the signal.

19. The welding torch of claim 16, wherein a default position of the electrically actuated training switch is open.

20. The welding torch of claim 16, comprising a plurality of markers positioned about the welding torch to enable a sensing device to determine a position of the welding torch, an orientation of the welding torch, or any combination thereof based at least in part on a subset of the plurality of markers within a field of view of the sensing device.