Adaptive welding apparatus having fill control correction for curvilinear weld grooves
US4621185A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 1985 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K9/095
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An adaptive welding apparatus has an optical sensing system for detecting the cross sectional configuration of a weld groove by linearly scanning a monochromatic light source across the groove while viewing the reflected light with a raster scan type TV camera. A microprocessor receives signals from the camera, computes the weld groove cross sectional configuration, and calculates the area of the cross section. The angular deviation of the scan path is estimated and corrective calculations are made to compensate for the erroneously large computed area caused by the scan path being skewed from perpendicular to the weld groove. The microprocessor controls at least one of the wire feed speed, travel speed, and voltage to effect proper weld groove fill characteristics in response to the calculated area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.