Systems for energy harvesting using welding subsystems

• US 10,672,967 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2014
• Issued: 06/02/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Denis, Marc Lee, Mlnarik, Kevin John
• Primary Examiner(s): Meade, Lorne E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mills, Jr., Joe E
• Application Number:
  US14/576,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20160181499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,992 Days
• Field of Search: 219201, 136205, 310311
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 31/00 Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups making tubes or profiled bars involving operations other than soldering or welding B21C37/04, B21C37/08
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1006 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/16 making use of shielding gas selection of media B23K35/38
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/167 and of a non-consumable electrode
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/173 and of a consumable electrode
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/32 Accessories earthing connections H01R
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/00 Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/13 characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/00 Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices integrated devices or assemblies of multiple devices H10N39/00

Abstract

An energy harvesting system including an energy harvesting device configured to draw electrical energy from a welding process without direct electrical contact with a weld cable. The energy harvesting system also includes energy harvesting circuitry coupled to the energy harvesting device and configured to process the electrical energy for use by a welding-related device.

Claims

1. A welding system, comprising:

an energy harvester configured to draw electrical energy from a welding process without direct electrical contact with a source of the electrical energy, wherein the energy harvester is disposed on a welding torch and comprises a weight configured to rotate about a stationary body due to manipulation of the welding torch; and

a welding-related device configured to receive and use the electrical energy, wherein the welding-related device comprises a sensor disposed on a welding torch configured to perform the welding process, the sensor configured to measure conditions of the welding process.

2. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the welding-related device further comprises an energy storage and processing circuitry, the energy harvester configured to direct the electrical energy to the energy storage or to the welding-related device based on direction received from the processing circuitry.

3. The welding system of claim 2, wherein the energy storage is configured to provide operational energy to the welding-related device.

4. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the energy harvester is integrated with the welding-related device.

5. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the energy harvester is configured to supply operational energy to a wireless communication device of the welding-related device.

6. A welding system, comprising:

a welding power supply configured to supply a weld current for use in a welding operation;

a welding-related device configured to perform at least part of the welding operation, wherein the welding power supply monitors and controls the welding-related device, wherein the welding-related device comprises a sensor configured to measure conditions of the welding operation; and

an energy harvester configured to draw electrical energy from the welding operation without direct electrical contact with a source of the electrical energy, and to at least partially power the welding-related device, wherein the energy harvester is disposed on a welding torch and comprises a weight configured to rotate about a stationary body due to manipulation of the welding torch.

7. The welding system of claim 6, wherein the sensor is coupled to the welding torch.

8. The welding system of claim 6, wherein the energy harvester comprises wireless circuitry configured to send and receive signals to communicate with the welding power supply.

9. The welding system of claim 6, wherein the welding-related device comprises an energy storage configured to receive and store electrical energy from the energy harvester.

10. The welding system of claim 6, wherein the stationary body is coupled to the welding torch.

11. The welding system of claim 10, wherein the weight is configured to rotate about the stationary body on a track disposed about the stationary body.