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US4931018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for training welders
Assignee: NLC Inc
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Filing: 1987-12-21
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2007-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for training, evaluating and providing practice for welders and particularly welders and welder students that use MIG, TIG and welding devices that employ movable consumable welding rods. The device includes a video monitor having a cathode ray tube, the face of which has visual displays thereon, including displays from which simulated welding parameters can be entered and displays which simulate different welding joints with a welding target to be followed by the operator while holding the selected welding tool. The present device uses a microprocessor and related electronic devices programmed to generate the displays and to control the various machine operations. The device also includes a unique way to produce the various control responses necessary to the operation including optical and electromagnetic responses.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Herbst
- 👤 Richard D. Fay
- 👤 David L. Frericks
- 👤 Bruce A. Blair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:12
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A weld simulator comprising a monitor having a screen on which video images can be produced, means for generating a set up display on the monitor including set up legends representing different parameters to be simulated and associated sensitive areas, and a simulated welding display representing a simulated welding joint with a welding target to be moved and followed therealong, a simulated welding tool having a handle portion and a welding tip portion for movement by an operator to positions adjacent to the displays, the tip portion including first and second distinct sensor means for reacting to selected sensitive areas on the set up display and to the target on the simulated welding display when the tip portion of the tool is moved adjacent thereto to produce changes in the displays and corresponding changes in the simulator functions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A weld simulator comprising a monitor having a screen on which video images can be produced, means for generating a set up display on the monitor including set up legends representing different parameters to be simulated and associated sensitive areas, and a simulated welding display representing a simulated welding joint with a welding target to be moved and followed therealong, a simulated welding tool having a handle portion and a welding tip portion for movement by an operator to positions adjacent to the displays, the tip portion including first and second distinct sensor means for reacting to selected sensitive areas on the set up display and to the target on the simulated welding display when the tip portion of the tool is moved adjacent thereto to produce changes in the displays and corresponding changes in the simulator functions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The weld simulator of claim 1 wherein the set up display includes a plurality of legends on the screen to identify respective parameters to be established, the sensitive areas associated with the respective legends responding to the tip portion of the simulated welding tool being moved adjacent thereto to change the condition of the respective parameters, each legend representing a different parameter to be simulated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The weld simulator of claim 1 wherein the target on the simulated welding display produces interaction between the screen and tip when the tip portion of the simulated welding tool is positioned adjacent thereto including interactions representative of the distance between the tip portion and the monitor screen and interactions representative of the angular orientation of the tip portion relative to the target in the display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The weld simulator of claim 1 wherein the simulated welding tool is a simulated MIG welding gun.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The weld simulator of claim 1 wherein the simulated welding tool is a simulated TIG welding gun.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The weld simulator of claim 1 wherein the simulated welding tool is a simulated stick type welding gun.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The weld simulator of claim 1 wherein the sensitive areas adjacent to the set up legends on the set up display include areas of predetermined optical characteristics, one of the distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting to the characteristics of the sensitive areas for producing changes in the legend and the parameter associated therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The weld simulator of claim 7 wherein the set up display includes a legend as to simulated arc length with an associated sensitive area, the one of the distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting with the sensitive area when positioned adjacent thereto, and circuit mean operatively connected to the one sensor means to establish a predetermined simulated arc length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The weld simulator of claim 7 wherein the set up display includes a legend as to operation run time with an associated sensitive area, the one of the distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting with the sensitive area when positioned adjacent thereto, and circuit means operatively connected to the one sensor means to establish a desired operational run time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The weld simulator of claim 7 wherein the set up display includes a legend as to welding rate with an associated sensitive area, the one of the distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting with the sensitive area when positioning adjacent thereto, and circuit means operatively connected to the one sensor means to establish a predetermined simulated welding rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
The weld simulator of claim 7 wherein the set up display includes a legend as to the type of weld joint to be simulated with an associate sensitive area, the one distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting with the sensitive area when positioned adjacent thereto, and circuit means operatively connected to the one sensor means to establish a particular simulated weld joint on the monitor screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The weld simulator of claim 7 wherein the set up display includes a legend as to welding rate with an associated sensitive area, the one distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting with the sensitive area when positioned adjacent thereto, and circuit means operatively connected to the one sensor means to establish a desired simulated welding rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
The weld simulator of claim 7 wherein the set up display includes a legend as to simulated rod burn rate and an associated sensitive area, the one distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting with the sensitive area when positioned adjacent thereto, and circuit means operatively connected to the one sensor means to establish a desired simulated rod burn rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
The weld simulator of claim 7 wherein the set up display includes a legend as to the desired pattern of movement of the simulated target along the simulated weld joint and an associated sensitive area, the one distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting with the sensitive area when positioned adjacent thereto, and circuit means operatively connected to the one sensor means to establish a desired pattern of simulated target movement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
The weld simulator of claim 7 wherein the set up display includes a legend as to the generation of sound to simulate a welding condition and an associated sensitive area, the one distinct sensor means on the tip portion of the simulated welding tool reacting with the sensitive area when positioned adjacent thereto, and circuit means operatively connected to the one sensor means to establish whether the simulated welding sound will be audibly produced.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for simulating an arc welding operation comprising a video monitor having a screen on which images can be displayed including images for use in establishing operating parameters for a simulated welding operation and images including a simulated joint to be welded and an associated target image located adjacent to and movable along the simulated joint, a simulated welding tool having a handle portion and a tip portion with first sensor means thereon for positioning adjacent to the images on the screen to respond to selected parameter images appearing on the screen to produce changes in the corresponding operating parameters and second sensor means to respond to the target image appearing on the screen to produce corresponding target responses, first circuit means operatively connected to the first sensor means and responsive to the responses produced when the first sensor means on the tip portion is positioned adjacent selected ones of the parameter images on the screen for establishing simulated operating parameters, second circuit means operatively connected to the second sensor means and to the target responses produced when the second sensor means is positioned adjacent the target image appearing on the screen, said second circuit means producing responses when positioning the tip portion adjacent the target image during a simulated welding operation representative of arc length and tool orientation relative to target image.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for simulating an arc welding operation comprising a video monitor having a screen on which images can be displayed including images for use in establishing operating parameters for a simulated welding operation and images including a simulated joint to be welded and an associated target image located adjacent to and movable along the simulated joint, a simulated welding tool having a handle portion and a tip portion with first sensor means thereon for positioning adjacent to the images on the screen to respond to selected parameter images appearing on the screen to produce changes in the corresponding operating parameters and second sensor means to respond to the target image appearing on the screen to produce corresponding target responses, first circuit means operatively connected to the first sensor means and responsive to the responses produced when the first sensor means on the tip portion is positioned adjacent selected ones of the parameter images on the screen for establishing simulated operating parameters, second circuit means operatively connected to the second sensor means and to the target responses produced when the second sensor means is positioned adjacent the target image appearing on the screen, said second circuit means producing responses when positioning the tip portion adjacent the target image during a simulated welding operation representative of arc length and tool orientation relative to target image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
185 words
An instrument for training, testing and/or evaluating persons who do welding comprising, a video monitor having a cathode ray tube with a screen portion, means for generating set up images on the monitor screen including images to represent selected parameters representative of parameters of an actual welding operation such as arc length and arc angular orientation and an image to represent a simulated joint to be welded with a target image movable therealong, a tool representative of an actual welding tool having a handle portion, and a tip portion, said tool to be held and the tip portion manipulated adjacent to the screen by a person to be trained, tested and/or evaluated, first and second sensor means on the tip portion of the tool sensitive to selected distinct images appearing on the screen, the first sensor means producing responses representative of arc length and arc orientation when the tool is held and the tip portion moved to a position adjacent to the target image, the second sensor means producing responses representative of set up images appearing on the screen when positioned adjacent selected parameter images.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
185 words
An instrument for training, testing and/or evaluating persons who do welding comprising, a video monitor having a cathode ray tube with a screen portion, means for generating set up images on the monitor screen including images to represent selected parameters representative of parameters of an actual welding operation such as arc length and arc angular orientation and an image to represent a simulated joint to be welded with a target image movable therealong, a tool representative of an actual welding tool having a handle portion, and a tip portion, said tool to be held and the tip portion manipulated adjacent to the screen by a person to be trained, tested and/or evaluated, first and second sensor means on the tip portion of the tool sensitive to selected distinct images appearing on the screen, the first sensor means producing responses representative of arc length and arc orientation when the tool is held and the tip portion moved to a position adjacent to the target image, the second sensor means producing responses representative of set up images appearing on the screen when positioned adjacent selected parameter images.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein selected ones of the responses produced are electromagnetic responses.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein selected ones of the responses produced are optical responses.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein the tool is representative of an arc welding tool.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein the tool is representative of a TIG welding gun.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein the tool is representative of a MIG welding gun.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein the tool is representative of a stick type welding gun having a retractable simulated welding rod electrode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein the video monitor includes a microprocessor and associated circuit means under control thereof for generating the set up images.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein the video monitor includes means for producing images to represent a joint to be welded and a target located on the joint and movable therealong.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The instrument of claim 17 including means on the tool for reacting with images on the screen during a simulated welding operation including means to recognize and count operator errors caused by breaks in the welding arc and errors caused by angular orientations of the tool beyond a predetermined angular orientation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 26 including means to produce a record of the welding and angular orientation errors.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
94 words
Means for generating electromagnetic responses comprising a device having a cathode ray tube including a tube envelope with a screen face, a coating of a material having electric conductive characteristics applied on the inner surface of the screen face of the tube, means connecting the coating to a source of voltage, and a probe device having a sensor element mounted thereon for movement to a position adjacent to the screen face whereby an electromagnetic response is generated by the interaction of the voltage of said coating on the screen face and the sensor element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
94 words
Means for generating electromagnetic responses comprising a device having a cathode ray tube including a tube envelope with a screen face, a coating of a material having electric conductive characteristics applied on the inner surface of the screen face of the tube, means connecting the coating to a source of voltage, and a probe device having a sensor element mounted thereon for movement to a position adjacent to the screen face whereby an electromagnetic response is generated by the interaction of the voltage of said coating on the screen face and the sensor element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The means of claim 28 wherein the coating on the tube face is an aluminum phosphor coating.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The means of claim 28 wherein the response generated between the coating and the sensor element has characteristics representative of the distance between the sensor element and the coating.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The means of claim 28 wherein the response generated between the coating and the sensor element has characteristics representative of the orientation of the probe relative to the screen face.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The means of claim 28 wherein the probe includes circuit means connected to the sensor element including amplifier circuit means for amplifying the electromagnetic responses produced when the sensor element is moved adjacent to the screen face.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
194 words
A device for simulating an arc welding operation comprising a video monitor including a cathode ray tube having means forming a tube anode on the inner surface thereof and having a screen on which images are generated including images for use in establishing operating parameters for a simulated welding operation and images including a simulated joint to be welded and an associated target image located adjacent to and movable along the simulated joint, a simulated welding tool having a handle portion and a tip portion with means thereon for positioning adjacent to the images on the screen, circuit means responsive to positioning of the tip portion adjacent selected images on the screen for establishing simulated operating parameters, and other circuit means responsive to positioning the tip portion adjacent the target image during a simulated welding operation to produce responses representative of arc length and tool orientation relative to target image, the position of the tip portion of the simulated tool relative to the tube anode producing electromagnetic response signals representative of the spacing between the tip portion and the target image and representative of the orientation of the tool relative to the target image.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
194 words
A device for simulating an arc welding operation comprising a video monitor including a cathode ray tube having means forming a tube anode on the inner surface thereof and having a screen on which images are generated including images for use in establishing operating parameters for a simulated welding operation and images including a simulated joint to be welded and an associated target image located adjacent to and movable along the simulated joint, a simulated welding tool having a handle portion and a tip portion with means thereon for positioning adjacent to the images on the screen, circuit means responsive to positioning of the tip portion adjacent selected images on the screen for establishing simulated operating parameters, and other circuit means responsive to positioning the tip portion adjacent the target image during a simulated welding operation to produce responses representative of arc length and tool orientation relative to target image, the position of the tip portion of the simulated tool relative to the tube anode producing electromagnetic response signals representative of the spacing between the tip portion and the target image and representative of the orientation of the tool relative to the target image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
156 words
An instrument for training, testing and/or evaluating persons who do welding comprising, a video monitor having a cathode ray tube with a screen portion, means for generating set up images on the monitor screen including images to represent selected parameters representative of parameters of an actual welding operation, a tool representative of an actual welding tool having a handle portion, and a tip portion, said tool to be held and manipulated by a person to be trained, tested and/or evaluated, means on the tip portion of the tool sensitive to selected images appearing on the screen for producing responses representative of arc length and orientation when the tool is held and the tip portion moved to a position adjacent selected ones of the images, the cathode ray tube including a closed tube with a front wall having a layer of material including a conductive material formed on the inner surface thereof to form a tube anode.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
156 words
An instrument for training, testing and/or evaluating persons who do welding comprising, a video monitor having a cathode ray tube with a screen portion, means for generating set up images on the monitor screen including images to represent selected parameters representative of parameters of an actual welding operation, a tool representative of an actual welding tool having a handle portion, and a tip portion, said tool to be held and manipulated by a person to be trained, tested and/or evaluated, means on the tip portion of the tool sensitive to selected images appearing on the screen for producing responses representative of arc length and orientation when the tool is held and the tip portion moved to a position adjacent selected ones of the images, the cathode ray tube including a closed tube with a front wall having a layer of material including a conductive material formed on the inner surface thereof to form a tube anode.
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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) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |