US3555239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Welding machine with digital pulse control
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1966-11-16
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1986-11-16
Abstract
Abstract An integrated programmed automatic welding machine is presented. First, second, third, fourth and fifth independent pulseactuated position control means respectively move the welding torch 1 up and down vertically, 2 right and left horizontally, and 3 horizontally forward and back and for tilting the torch 4 right and left and 5 forward and backward. There may be pulseactuated wire feed control means for varying the rate of feed of welding wire to the torch, and pulse-actuated electrical control means for varying the weld energy factors at the torch. Programming means direct the time cycle of all of the control means, and digital pulse delivery means are connected to and controlled by the programming means and are connected to and control each control means, by sending thereto an appropriate quantity of pulses at an appropriate rate.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Kerth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:52
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/02; B23K9/028; B23K9/0282; B23K9/0286; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
An integrated automatic welding machine, comprising: master clock and pulse-shaping means for producing shaped basic pulses at regular intervals and for producing shaped master pulses at lonGer regular intervals; a plurality of digitally set rate oscillator means each connected to said master clock and pulse-shaping means for controlling and varying the number of basic pulses delivered by itself between successive master pulses; digitally set sequential slope generator means connected to said master clock and pulse-shaping means for sequentially changing the number of basic pulses, delivered by itself between successive master pulses and for retaining a chosen such number for a chosen number of master pulses; a welding head having a welding torch mounted thereon; a plurality of pulse-operated position control means for said head for moving said torch along a welding path, each said position control means having a pulse motor connected to a corresponding rate oscillator means and determining the rate and amount of movement of said torch along one axis, the combinations of movement thereby adding up to the overall movement of said torch; and a source of weld energy connected to said torch and controlled by said slope generator means for delivering to said torch its needed energy in accordance with digital settings of said slope generator means, and pulse-operated wire feed means for feeding welding wire to said torch connected to and controlled by a separate said rate oscillator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
An integrated automatic welding machine, comprising: master clock and pulse-shaping means for producing shaped basic pulses at regular intervals and for producing shaped master pulses at lonGer regular intervals; a plurality of digitally set rate oscillator means each connected to said master clock and pulse-shaping means for controlling and varying the number of basic pulses delivered by itself between successive master pulses; digitally set sequential slope generator means connected to said master clock and pulse-shaping means for sequentially changing the number of basic pulses, delivered by itself between successive master pulses and for retaining a chosen such number for a chosen number of master pulses; a welding head having a welding torch mounted thereon; a plurality of pulse-operated position control means for said head for moving said torch along a welding path, each said position control means having a pulse motor connected to a corresponding rate oscillator means and determining the rate and amount of movement of said torch along one axis, the combinations of movement thereby adding up to the overall movement of said torch; and a source of weld energy connected to said torch and controlled by said slope generator means for delivering to said torch its needed energy in accordance with digital settings of said slope generator means, and pulse-operated wire feed means for feeding welding wire to said torch connected to and controlled by a separate said rate oscillator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein said sequential slope generator comprises a combination of subtractor scalers, counters, and an integrator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein said rate oscillator means is connected to said pulse motors through translator and gating devices with pulse counters and bistable switches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
A welding machine, comprising: a welding head having a welding torch mounted for tilting movement thereof; first position control means for said head, for moving said torch forward and/or backward horizontally; second position control means for said head for moving said torch back and forth from side to side horizontally; third position control means for said head for moving said torch up and down vertically; tilt-control means for tilting said torch relative to said head and thereby relative to the weld; and said weld head comprising an outer housing moved by one said position control means, an intermediate housing moved inside said outer housing by another said position control means, an inner housing moved inside said intermediate housing by yet another said position control means, and torch mounting means tiltable inside said inner housing by said tilt control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
A welding machine, comprising: a welding head having a welding torch mounted for tilting movement thereof; first position control means for said head, for moving said torch forward and/or backward horizontally; second position control means for said head for moving said torch back and forth from side to side horizontally; third position control means for said head for moving said torch up and down vertically; tilt-control means for tilting said torch relative to said head and thereby relative to the weld; and said weld head comprising an outer housing moved by one said position control means, an intermediate housing moved inside said outer housing by another said position control means, an inner housing moved inside said intermediate housing by yet another said position control means, and torch mounting means tiltable inside said inner housing by said tilt control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The machine of claim 4 wherein said torch mounting means provides two tilting axes, one at right angles to the other and said tilt control means provides for separate means for controlling tilting in each of said axes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The machine of claim 5 wherein each of said tilt control means and said position control means comprises a pulse-operated motor for digital pulse control thereby.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
214 words
A weld head assembly, comprising a rectangular box having a central rectangular opening providing a welding well, said box having mounted thereon a first pulse-actuated stepping motor and drive gear means driven by said first motor; track means on which said drive gear means are meshed and with which they are held in engagement, so that operation of said first pulse-actuated stepping motor propels said box along said track means; a first movable platform within said box having a second pulse-actuated stepping motor supported thereon and first drive means actuated by said second motor; means supported by said box in engagement with said first drive means for guiding movement of said first platform initiated by said second motor along a path within said box perpendicular to the motion along said track; a second platform mounted movably with respect to said first platform and having thereon a third pulse-actuated stepping motor and second drive means actuated by said third motor; means supported by said first platform in enGagement with said second drive means for guiding movement of said second platform initiated by said third motor along an axis perpendicular both to said track path and the axis of movement of said first platform; and a weld torch supported by said second platform in said well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
214 words
A weld head assembly, comprising a rectangular box having a central rectangular opening providing a welding well, said box having mounted thereon a first pulse-actuated stepping motor and drive gear means driven by said first motor; track means on which said drive gear means are meshed and with which they are held in engagement, so that operation of said first pulse-actuated stepping motor propels said box along said track means; a first movable platform within said box having a second pulse-actuated stepping motor supported thereon and first drive means actuated by said second motor; means supported by said box in engagement with said first drive means for guiding movement of said first platform initiated by said second motor along a path within said box perpendicular to the motion along said track; a second platform mounted movably with respect to said first platform and having thereon a third pulse-actuated stepping motor and second drive means actuated by said third motor; means supported by said first platform in enGagement with said second drive means for guiding movement of said second platform initiated by said third motor along an axis perpendicular both to said track path and the axis of movement of said first platform; and a weld torch supported by said second platform in said well.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The weld head assembly of claim 7 wherein said weld torch is supported on said second platform by first and second mutually perpendicular tilt means, each said tilt means having an associated pulse-actuated stepping motor for varying its particular tilt relative to said second platform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 7 having holddown means for holding said drive gear means in mesh with said track means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein said holddown means comprises continuous link-chain means paralleling said track means and means on said box in engagement with said link-chain means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein said assembly is adapted to move around an object being welded, said track means being shaped in a closed path around said object and means for holding said box to said track means as said box moves along said path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The assembly of claim 7 having weld shield means between a bottom surface of said box and an object to be welded, and shielding gas supply means leading gas into said weld shield means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly of claim 7 having wire feed means for supplying weld wire to the weld and comprising an additional pulse-actuated stepping motor and wire drive means driven by said motor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein said wire drive means comprises a plurality of belts of electrical insulating material compressed toward each other with the wire passing between them.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
133 words
A weld head assembly, comprising a rectangular box said box having mounted thereon a first pulse actuated stepping motor, a second pulse-activated stepping motor, and drive gear means driven by said first motor; track means on which said drive gear means are meshed and with which they are held in engagement, so that operation of said first pulse actuated stepping motor propels said box along said track means; a movable platform within said box having first drive means actuated by said second motor; means supported by said box in engagement with said first drive means for guiding movement of said platform initiated by said second motor along a path within said box perpendicular to the motion along said track; and a weld torch supported by said platform to one side of said box.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
133 words
A weld head assembly, comprising a rectangular box said box having mounted thereon a first pulse actuated stepping motor, a second pulse-activated stepping motor, and drive gear means driven by said first motor; track means on which said drive gear means are meshed and with which they are held in engagement, so that operation of said first pulse actuated stepping motor propels said box along said track means; a movable platform within said box having first drive means actuated by said second motor; means supported by said box in engagement with said first drive means for guiding movement of said platform initiated by said second motor along a path within said box perpendicular to the motion along said track; and a weld torch supported by said platform to one side of said box.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |