Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for assessing electrode tip wear

US6639181B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
2References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 9, 2002
Grant dateOct 28, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 9, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K9/26
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Welding voltage and welding current supplied to a workpiece from a welding wire 3 of a consumable electrode gas shielded arc welding apparatus are detected by a welding voltage detection means 11 and a welding current detection means 12. A replacement index for an electrode tip 5 is computed by a replacement index computation means 13, based on the average values of the welding voltage and welding current during arc time. A wear assessment means 14 assesses the state of wear of the electrode tip 5 by comparing the replacement index to a prescribed reference value. When the electrode tipreaches its prescribed wear limit (when its replacement index reaches the prescribed reference value), this fact is indicated by a replace tip indicator means 15.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.