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Importing and analyzing external data using a virtual reality welding system

  • US 9,761,153 B2
  • Filed: 02/05/2016
  • Issued: 09/12/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for simulating welding activity, comprising:

  • a welding tool for a selected simulated welding operation;

    a spatial tracking unit having at least one sensor, which detects movement and orientation of said welding tool during said selected simulated welding operation;

    a welding coupon;

    a central processing unit coupled to said spatial tracking unit, where said central processing unit receives information from said spatial tracking unit related to said movement and orientation of said welding tool during said selected simulated welding operation;

    an input device coupled to said central processing unit, where said input device allows selection of said selected simulated welding operation to be one of a simulated stick welding operation, a simulated GMAW welding operation, or a simulated GTAW welding operation,a first display device operatively coupled to said central processing unit which displays said selected simulated welding operation;

    wherein during said selected simulated welding operation, said central processing unit models a simulated welding surface for said welding coupon and displays said simulated welding surface on said first display device;

    wherein during said selected simulated welding operation, said central processing unit models a simulated weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and real-time heat dissipation characteristics based on said movement and orientation of said welding tool during said simulated welding operation;

    wherein said central processing unit models a simulated weld bead based on a simulation of a solidification of said simulated weld puddle from a molten state to a solid state;

    wherein said first display device displays each of said simulated welding surface, said simulated weld puddle, said simulated weld bead, and said welding tool during said selected simulated welding operation; and

    wherein said welding tool is a GMAW welding tool for said simulated GMAW welding operation, a GTAW welding tool for said simulated GTAW welding operation, and a stick welding tool for said simulated stick welding operation, where said stick welding tool comprises a mock stick electrode, a stick electrode holder and an actuator to move said mock stick electrode during said simulated stick welding operation.

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