Welding system with wire electrode contact detection
US11931832B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 2020 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K9/09
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A welding system includes a power supply configured to generate a welding waveform. A wire feeder conducts the welding waveform to a wire electrode, and includes a drive motor that drives the wire electrode bidirectionally, a motor current sensor that senses a current level of the motor, and a controller that receives a current level signal from the motor current sensor and controls operations of the motor. A welding current sensor senses welding current level, and a welding voltage sensor senses welding voltage level, and the sensors are located with the power supply or the wire feeder. The controller is configured to determine a contact event between the wire electrode and a non-workpiece object based on the current level signal from the motor current sensor and one or both of the welding current level and the welding voltage level, and automatically retract the wire electrode upon determining the contact event.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.