US3906184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Welding process
Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-25
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-05-25
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an improved method and system for automatically controlling the GMA welding process wherein the welding current is coordinated with the measured feed rate of electrode filler wire, the electrode feed rate being independently controlled. Provisions are made to accommodate current modification for out-of-position welding and also for flat and out-of-position crater filling.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis E Gibbs
- 👤 John J Dempsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:23
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/06; B23K9/073; B23K9/0732; B23K9/12; B23K9/124; B23K9/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In the method of controlling the welded current in an inert gas shielded, consumable electrode arc welding process, wherein an independently controlled electrode wire feeding device operates to feed electrode wire through a welding torch to a workpiece and an electrical power source provides welding current to said electrode wire, the improvement in the control of the welding current during welding start-up and operation comprising: a. by means independent of said wire feeding device, sensing the actual velocity of the electrode wire being fed to a workpiece when said electrode wire feeding device is being controlled and generating a signal representing the actual velocity sensed; and b. receiving said velocity signal and by means responsive to said velocity signal generating a second signal to control the welding current output of said electrical power source to provide a welding current to said electrode wire which satisfies a predetermined relationship between the welding current and electrode wire velocity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In the method of controlling the welded current in an inert gas shielded, consumable electrode arc welding process, wherein an independently controlled electrode wire feeding device operates to feed electrode wire through a welding torch to a workpiece and an electrical power source provides welding current to said electrode wire, the improvement in the control of the welding current during welding start-up and operation comprising: a. by means independent of said wire feeding device, sensing the actual velocity of the electrode wire being fed to a workpiece when said electrode wire feeding device is being controlled and generating a signal representing the actual velocity sensed; and b. receiving said velocity signal and by means responsive to said velocity signal generating a second signal to control the welding current output of said electrical power source to provide a welding current to said electrode wire which satisfies a predetermined relationship between the welding current and electrode wire velocity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrical power source is a constant current power source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said electrical arc is established between the electrode and the workpiece by supplying a high surge current from said electrical power source at least 150% of the welding current satisfying said relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said relationship between the velocity of the electrode filler wire and welding current is a substantially linear relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of welding of claim 1 adapted to allow for out-of-position crater filling wherein a pulsating welding current is supplied to said electrode when the welding current is reduced below a predetermined level, the average current value of said pulsating current satisfying said predetermined relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said welding current control signal value is changed to effect a change of up to + or - 10% in the welding current required by said relationship for out-of-position welding or welding with limited arc access.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A welding current control system adapted for an inert gas shielded, consumable electrode arc welding apparatus which includes a welding torch, an independently controlled electrode wire feeding device and an electrical power source for providing welding current to an electrode wire, the improvement in the current control system for welding start-up and operation comprising: a. means independent of said wire feed device to sense the actual velocity of electrode wire being fed to a workpiece when said wire feeder means is being controlled and to generate a signal representing said velocity; and b. means to receive said velocity signal and in response thereto to generate a control signal to control the welding current output of said electrical power source to provide a welding current which satisfies a predetermined relationship between the welding current and electrode wire velocity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
A welding current control system adapted for an inert gas shielded, consumable electrode arc welding apparatus which includes a welding torch, an independently controlled electrode wire feeding device and an electrical power source for providing welding current to an electrode wire, the improvement in the current control system for welding start-up and operation comprising: a. means independent of said wire feed device to sense the actual velocity of electrode wire being fed to a workpiece when said wire feeder means is being controlled and to generate a signal representing said velocity; and b. means to receive said velocity signal and in response thereto to generate a control signal to control the welding current output of said electrical power source to provide a welding current which satisfies a predetermined relationship between the welding current and electrode wire velocity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said means responsive to said velocity signal generates a control signal which represents a welding current linearly related to the velocity of said electrode, said means responsive to said velocity signal comprising a. a summing means adapted to receive said velocity signal; b. an offset voltage source electrically connected to said summing means and adapted to provide a signal which is additive to the velocity signal fed to said summing means; c. means to amplify the output of said summing means; and d. feed-back means associated with said amplifying means to feed the output of said amplifying means through a resistance to said summing means, the output of said amplifying means representing a welding current which satisfies said linear relationship.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 7 including means to change the welding current control signal so as to effect a change in the welding current of up to + or - 10% of said value to accommodate said system for out-of-position welding or welding with limited arc access.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The control system of claim 7 including means responsive to said control signal to control an electrical power source so as to provide said welding current in accordance with the velocity of said electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said electrical power source is a constant current power source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11 including means to generate a welding current control signal representing high suRge of current to facilitate electrical arc initiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
112 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said means to provide a high surge current for electrical arc initiation comprises a. a means to receive a signal representing the velocity of the welding electrode filler wire; b. means to compare said velocity signal with a reference signal; c. a signal integrating means adapted to receive the output of said signal comparing means, said integrating means having an output signal which follows a ramp function; and d. means to feed said ramp signal to said means responsive to said velocity signal so as to generate a control signal for an electrical power source to provide a high surge of welding current for arc initiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said means to provide a high surge of welding current is adapted to provide a current of at least 150% of the welding current required by said relationship.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 13 having a signal feed-back means, which includes a variable resistance means, associated with said signal integrating means, whereby the value of said welding current control signal can be modified to accommodate said system for out-of-position welding or welding with limited arc access by changing the welding current up to + or - 10% of the value required by said relationship.
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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) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |