Arc welding system with vision
US4497996A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 1983 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K9/1274
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An arc welding system with image acquisition utilizing a non-planar beam of electro-magnetic radiation, such as, a hollow conical beam of light, to illuminate at least a portion of the welding object is disclosed. The conical beam of light is generated by impinging a light beam on the surface of a concave, cylindrical reflector having a longitudinal axis that preferably is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the welding torch. The light beam enters the concave cylindrical reflector through the hollow shaft of a motor. Rotation of the motor angularly positions the reflected light beam on the welding object. The illuminated portion of the object is imaged on an array of photosensitive elements to produce corresponding signals that are representative of the image on the array. These signals are used to obtain identification information concerning the welding object and guidance information for a plural axis manipulator that guides the welding torch tool along a welding seam. The image acquisition apparatus is optically and physically shielded from the welding arc by a replaceable shield.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.