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Patent US4471207A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4471207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for providing useful audio feedback to users of arc welding equipment
Assignee: Deep Ocean Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1983-05-10
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Granted: 1984-09-11
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Expires: 2003-05-10
Abstract
Abstract The user of electric arc welding equipment is provided with audible feedback signals which provide useful information relating to the output current and voltage of the welder. An audio tone is generated and is frequency modulated by a signal which corresponds to welder output voltage. The tone is amplitude modulated by a signal corresponding to output current thus providing the user with a synthesized feedback signal having a voltage-proportional pitch and current-proportional volume. Additional modulation means are disclosed for introducing a current-proportional warble component to said tone.
Inventors
- 👤 Graham S. Hawkes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:48
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/095; B23K9/0956; H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/24; H05H1/26; H05H1/32; H05H1/34; H05H1/3494
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An audio feedback system for monitoring and aiding in user control of electric arc welding equipment comprising: means providing an electrical signal proportional to welding electrode current; means providing an electrical signal proportional to welding electrode voltage; a signal generator; frequency modulation means connected to one of said electrical signals for varying the output frequency of said signal generator in proportion to said signal; amplitude modulation means connected to the other of said electrical signals for varying the output amplitude of said signal generator in proportion to said other signal; and means for audibly reproducing the output of said signal generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An audio feedback system for monitoring and aiding in user control of electric arc welding equipment comprising: means providing an electrical signal proportional to welding electrode current; means providing an electrical signal proportional to welding electrode voltage; a signal generator; frequency modulation means connected to one of said electrical signals for varying the output frequency of said signal generator in proportion to said signal; amplitude modulation means connected to the other of said electrical signals for varying the output amplitude of said signal generator in proportion to said other signal; and means for audibly reproducing the output of said signal generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 1 wherein: said arc welding equipment supplies direct current at its output; said first named means is a welder output current sensor; said second named means is a welder output voltage sensor; said amplitude modulation means is connected to said first named electrical signal; and said frequency modulation means is connected to said second named electrical signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 2 wherein: said electrical signals are D.C. voltages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The device of claim 1 wherein; said arc welding equipment supplies alternating current at its output; said first named means is a welder output current sensor; said second named means is a welder output voltage sensor; said first named electrical signal is rectified; said second named electrical signal is rectified; said amplitude modulation means is connected to said rectified first named electrical signal; and said frequency modulation means is connected to said rectified second named electrical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein: said first named means is a welder input current sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: additional modulation means connected to one of said electrical signals for repetitively varying a user-detectable output characteristic of said signal generator at a repetition rate proportional to said electrical signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 6 wherein: said user-detectable output characteristic is frequency; and said additional modulation means is a sweep frequency modulator for repetitively sweeping the output frequency of said generator up and down to produce a warble effect having a warble repetition rate proportional to said connected electrical signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 7 wherein: said sweep frequency modulator is connected to said first named electrical signal for producing a signal generator output frequency warble having a repetition rate proportional to welding electrode current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the audibly reproduced output of said signal generator is a warbling tone having a center frequency proportional to welding electrode voltage, a warble rate proportional to welding electrode current, and an amplitude proportional to welding electrode current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: gating means connected to said signal generator and connected to said current proportional electrical signal for silencing generator output when a signal indicating substantially zero welding current is detected.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for providing useful audio feedback to users of arc welding equipment comprising: generating an electrical signal proportional to welding electrode current; generating an electrical signal proportional to welding electrode voltage; generating an audio tone; varying the amplitude of said tone in proportion to one of said signals; and varying the frequency of said tone in proportion to the other of said signals.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for providing useful audio feedback to users of arc welding equipment comprising: generating an electrical signal proportional to welding electrode current; generating an electrical signal proportional to welding electrode voltage; generating an audio tone; varying the amplitude of said tone in proportion to one of said signals; and varying the frequency of said tone in proportion to the other of said signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11 wherein: the amplitude of said tone is varied in proportion to said first named signal; and the frequency of said tone is varied in proportion to said second named signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising: cyclically varying the frequency of said tone at a repetition rate proportional to said first named signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for documenting and recording electric arc welding operations comprising: generating a synthesized audio signal having an amplitude proportional to welding electrode current and a frequency proportional to welding electrode voltage; using a video camera and video recorder to record a picture of the arc welding operation; recording said synthesized audio signal simultaneously with said video recording for synchronized playback of said audio signal and a video picture of the welding operation which produced said signal.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for documenting and recording electric arc welding operations comprising: generating a synthesized audio signal having an amplitude proportional to welding electrode current and a frequency proportional to welding electrode voltage; using a video camera and video recorder to record a picture of the arc welding operation; recording said synthesized audio signal simultaneously with said video recording for synchronized playback of said audio signal and a video picture of the welding operation which produced said signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-11 | 1988-03-12 | 1988-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-11 | 1992-03-12 | 1992-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-11 | 1996-03-12 | 1996-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |