SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR WELDING TRAINING

• US 20140134580A1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Published: 05/15/2014
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,368,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/234
• 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 device configured to be used within the welding system, the device comprising;

a first marker having a first shape and a first color; and

a 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 device, an orientation of the device, or some combination thereof.

2. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a welding torch.

3. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a welding workpiece, or a representation of a welding workpiece.

4. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a welding workpiece, and the welding workpiece comprises a display configured to display a virtual weld pool, a welding guidance indicator, a virtual weld bead, a virtual weld arc, or some combination thereof.

5. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a welding helmet.

6. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the video game system, the computer accessory, or some combination thereof, is configured to determine the position of the device, the orientation of the device, or some combination thereof, based on at least one of the first shape of the first marker, the first color of the first marker, the second shape of the second marker, and the second color of the second marker.

7. The welding system of claim 1, wherein the first marker comprises a first light-emitting diode (LED) and the second marker comprises a second LED.

8. The welding system of claim 7, wherein the first LED is a different color than the second LED.

9. The welding system of claim 7, wherein the first marker comprises a first cover disposed over the first LED, the second marker comprises a second cover disposed over the second LED, and the first cover is a different shape than the second cover.

10. The welding system of claim 7, wherein the first marker comprises a first cover disposed over the first LED, the second marker comprises a second cover disposed over the second LED, and the first cover is a different size than the second cover.

11. A welding torch comprising:

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

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, the first and second markers are configured to be illuminated, 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.

12. The welding torch of claim 11, comprising a display configured to guide a welding operator based on data relating to the position of the welding torch, the orientation of the welding torch, or some combination thereof.

13. The welding torch of claim 11, wherein the first marker comprises a first light-emitting diode (LED) and the second marker comprises a second LED.

14. The welding torch of claim 13, wherein the first LED is a different color than the second LED.

15. The welding torch of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second markers is disposed on a nozzle of the welding torch.

16. The welding torch of claim 11, 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.

17. A welding system comprising:

a virtual workpiece comprising;

a first virtual marker on the virtual workpiece, the first virtual marker having a first shape and a first color; and

a second virtual marker on the virtual workpiece, the second virtual 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 virtual markers are configured to be 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.

18. The welding system of claim 17, comprising a virtual bead disposed on the virtual workpiece.

19. The welding system of claim 17, comprising a welding torch configured to perform a virtual weld on the virtual workpiece.

20. The welding system of claim 17, comprising a display configured to show the virtual workpiece.