Apparatus and methods for controlling a welding process
US4595820A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K9/0956
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Video data generated at a high rate by a camera observing a welding operation is selectively stored in a video-computer interface to permit later computer analysis of the data. Special multiple memory techniques can be employed when the rate of which the data is generated is too fast for storage in a single memory in the interface. The width of the weld pool is detected by finding local minima of light intensity associated with these edges. The mass of the weld pool and the weld penetration can be measured and controlled by causing oscillations in the weld pool and measuring the natural frequency of such oscillations. The weld line can be tracked either by bouncing a beam of light off the welding electrode so as to form an illuminated area and detecting the resulting irregularity where the illuminated area crosses the weld line, or by detecting the deformation in the surface of the weld pool as the pool flows into the gap between the metal portions being joined. Prior to welding, the weld line can be detected by establishing a low power welding arc insufficient to create a molten weld pool but generating enough light to produce an irregularity in the reflected light at the location…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.