公开(公告)号：US5025127A

公开(公告)日：1991-06-18

申请号：US374465

申请日：1989-06-30

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland

IPC: B23K9/10

CPC classification number: B23K9/1056

Abstract: An electronic welding station suitable for use with a dedicated power supply or for use in a system wherein a plurality of electronic welding stations are powered from a central power supply. The welding station provides for a positive ground mode, a negative ground mode, and two AC output modes of operation. Most components are used for all modes of operation. The main transistor bank (57) and an auxiliary transistor bank (64) are used in an emitter follower configuration for negative ground mode, a common emitter configuration for positive ground mode, and, in conjunction with an inductor/transformer (67), in a push-pull configuration for both AC output modes of operation. The inductor/transformer (67) is configured as an inductor for DC output operation and, by the insertion of a plug (67E), as a transformer for AC output operation. Selection of the positive ground mode, the negative ground mode, or an AC output mode is achieved by the use of a multi-pole switch (25) and a jumper (90). The result is an extremely versatile electronic welding station.

Abstract translation: 适用于专用电源或用于系统中的电子焊接站，其中多个电子焊接站由中央电源供电。 焊接站提供正极接地模式，负极接地模式和两种交流输出工作模式。 大多数组件用于所有操作模式。 主晶体管组（57）和辅助晶体管组（64）用于负接地模式的射极跟随器配置，用于正接地模式的公共发射极配置，以及与电感器/变压器（67）一起使用 两种交流输出操作模式的推挽配置。 电感器/变压器（67）被配置为用于DC输出操作的电感器，并且通过插入插头（67E）作为用于AC输出操作的变压器。 通过使用多极开关（25）和跳线（90）来实现正极接地模式，负极接地模式或交流输出模式的选择。 结果是一个非常通用的电子焊接站。

公开(公告)号：US4922161A

公开(公告)日：1990-05-01

申请号：US332340

申请日：1989-03-31

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland ,  Charles L. Warner, II

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland ,  Charles L. Warner, II

IPC: H02P3/14

CPC classification number: H02P3/14

Abstract: An automatic braking and speed control for a device driven by an electric motor. A controller provides a pulsed output voltage having a pulse width dependent upon the load seen by the motor (16). When the drive pulses are present two diodes (52,54) and a transistor (66) serve to maintain a power transistor (56) in the off condition. When the controller is not providing drive pulses and the motor (16) is being turned by the momentum of the mechanical device or by some outside force, such as gravity, the motor (16) functions as a generator and turns on two transistors (56,67) so that two resistors (51a,51b) apply a load to the generator (16). This provides a braking action between the output pulses so that the net speed of the motor (16) and its associated mechanical device is more dependent upon the output pulses provided by the controller. A shunting diode (42), in conjunction with two resistors (51a,51c) provides a braking mechanism in the event that the motor (16 ) should begin turning in a direction reverse to that desired. A switch (64) allows reversing the polarity of the voltage provided to the motor (16) so that the motor (16) may be made to run in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, as desired. The result is an apparatus which can be easily retrofit onto existing systems so as to provide for automatic braking and improved speed control for a device driven by an electric motor.

Abstract translation: 由电动机驱动的设备的自动制动和速度控制。 控制器提供具有取决于由电动机（16）看到的负载的脉冲宽度的脉冲输出电压。 当存在驱动脉冲时，两个二极管（52,54）和晶体管（66）用于将功率晶体管（56）保持在关闭状态。 当控制器不提供驱动脉冲并且电动机（16）被机械装置的动量或某些外力（例如重力）转动时，电动机（16）用作发电机并接通两个晶体管（56 ，67），使得两个电阻器（51a，51b）向发电机（16）施加负载。 这提供了输出脉冲之间的制动作用，使得马达（16）及其相关联的机械装置的净速度更多地取决于由控制器提供的输出脉冲。 与两个电阻器（51a，51c）结合的分流二极管（42）在马达（16）应该开始沿与所需的方向相反的方向开始转动的情况下提供制动机构。 开关（64）允许反转提供给电动机（16）的电压的极性，使得电动机（16）可以根据需要沿顺时针或逆时针方向运行。 结果是可以容易地改装到现有系统上的装置，以便为由电动机驱动的装置提供自动制动和改进的速度控制。

公开(公告)号：US06249718B1

公开(公告)日：2001-06-19

申请号：US09317417

申请日：1999-05-24

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland ,  Kenneth Alan Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland ,  Kenneth Alan Gilliland

IPC: G05B1904

CPC classification number: B25J9/1671 ,  G05B2219/39082 ,  G05B2219/39083 ,  G05B2219/39135 ,  Y10T29/53022

Abstract: A method for automatically tracking the joint between a first component and a second component, or the edge of a component, a welding operation. A preliminary path is defined for the joint or edge (703), a welding torch (100) is moved along the preliminary path while an arc welding current is provided to the welding torch. The welding torch is moved slightly to a first side (705A) of the preliminary path and then to a second side (705B) of the preliminary path as the welding torch is being moved along the preliminary path. A first current measurement is obtained by measuring the arc welding current when the welding torch is to the first side, and a second current is obtained by measuring the arc welding current when the welding torch is to second side. The first current measurement and the second current measurement are compared and used to redefine the preliminary welding path by moving the welding torch slightly to the side having the preferred current measurement.

Abstract translation: 一种用于自动跟踪第一部件和第二部件或部件的边缘之间的接合的方法，焊接操作。 对于接头或边缘（703）定义了初步路径，焊枪（100）沿着预备路径移动，同时向焊枪提供电弧焊接电流。 当焊枪沿预备路径移动时，焊炬稍微移动到初步路径的第一侧（705A），然后移动到初步路径的第二侧（705B）。 通过测量焊炬处于第一侧的电弧焊接电流来获得第一电流测量，并且通过测量焊炬处于第二侧时的电弧焊接电流来获得第二电流。 第一电流测量和第二电流测量被比较并用于通过将焊炬稍微移动到具有优选电流测量的一侧来重新定义预焊接路径。

公开(公告)号：US5136139A

公开(公告)日：1992-08-04

申请号：US443453

申请日：1989-11-29

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland

IPC: B23K9/09 ,  B23K9/10 ,  B23K9/12

CPC classification number: B23K9/091 ,  B23K9/1062 ,  B23K9/125

Abstract: A welding station for welding thin-walled copper-nickel pipe. An electronic welding station (10) has an output circuit (13) which provides arc welding power having the arc characteristics specified by a weld parameter selection circuit (12). A welding torch and feeder assembly (11) has a controller (20) which is responsive to a predetermined event, such as the passage of time since the start of the arc, or the average temperature of the pipe (25) as indicated by two temperature-measuring devices (30, 32). The controller (20) adjusts the wire feed speed, the pulse frequency, the pulse width, the welding voltage, the welding current and/or other parameters so as to cause the arc to have the parameters most desired for welding copper-nickel pipe. The present invention provides for a hotter arc for starting the welding operation, thereby obtaining good penetration and bonding, and a cooler arc for continuing the welding operation, thereby preventing burn-through of the pipe (25).

Abstract translation: 用于焊接薄壁铜镍管的焊接站。 电子焊接站（10）具有输出电路（13），其提供具有由焊接参数选择电路（12）指定的电弧特性的电弧焊接功率。 焊枪和给料器组件（11）具有控制器（20），其响应于预定事件（例如自电弧开始之后的时间流逝）或管（25）的平均温度，如由两个 温度测量装置（30,32）。 控制器（20）调整送丝速度，脉冲频率，脉冲宽度，焊接电压，焊接电流和/或其他参数，以使电弧具有焊接铜镍管最需要的参数。 本发明提供一种用于启动焊接操作的热弧，从而获得良好的穿透和粘合，以及用于继续焊接操作的冷却器电弧，从而防止管道（25）的烧穿。

公开(公告)号：US5059766A

公开(公告)日：1991-10-22

申请号：US436711

申请日：1989-11-15

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland

IPC: B23K9/10

CPC classification number: B23K9/1087 ,  B23K9/1068

Abstract: An improved electronic welding station is disclosed. The welding station provides for an improved arc striking capability by providing a higher arc striking voltage and a large arc striking current and, once the arc is struck, automatically switches over to preselected parameters for conducting the welding operation. Also disclosed are a method for preventing transistor failure due to loads which tend to cause a very large instantaneous current flow and an apparatus for protecting the driver circuit and the remaining output transistors in the event that one of the output transistors should suffer a collector-to-base short. The welding station also describes a method of operating the cooling fan at a speed commensurate with the cooling requirements and periodically reversing the voltage to the cooling fan so as to extend the operating lifetime of the fan brushes. The welding station also has several shutdown circuits which protect the components of the welding station in the event of cooling fan failure or excessive heating of the weld station. The welding station also provides for a shutdown period for cooling off in the event that the maximum allowable instantaneous current is exceeded.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种改进的电子焊接站。 焊接站通过提供更高的击弧电压和大的电弧击穿电流来提供更好的击弧能力，并且一旦电弧被击中，焊接站就自动切换到用于进行焊接操作的预选参数。 还公开了一种用于防止由于容易导致非常大的瞬时电流流动的负载导致的晶体管故障的方法，以及用于在输出晶体管中的一个应该遭受集电极到达的情况下保护驱动电路和剩余的输出晶体管的装置 基本短 焊接站还描述了一种以与冷却要求相称的速度操作冷却风扇的方法，并且周期性地将冷却风扇的电压反转，以延长风扇刷的使用寿命。 焊接站还具有几个关闭电路，在冷却风扇故障或焊接站过热的情况下，保护焊接部件的部件。 在超过最大允许瞬时电流的情况下，焊接站还提供关闭时间以进行冷却。

公开(公告)号：US5045670A

公开(公告)日：1991-09-03

申请号：US431197

申请日：1989-11-03

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland

IPC: B23K9/10

CPC classification number: B23K9/1068 ,  B23K9/1087 ,  Y10T307/931

Abstract: An improved electronic welding station is disclosed. The welding station provides for an improved arc striking capability by providing a higher arc striking voltage and a large arc striking current and, once the arc is struck, automatically switches over to preselected parameters for conducting the welding operation. Also disclosed are a method for preventing transistor failure due to loads which tend to cause a very large instantaneous current flow and an apparatus for protecting the driver circuit and the remaining output transistors in the event that one of the output transistors should suffer a collector-to-base short. The welding station also describes a method of operating the cooling fan at a speed commensurate with the cooling requirements and periodically reversing the voltage to the cooling fan so as to extend the operating lifetime of the fan brushes. The welding station also has several shutdown circuits which protect the components of the welding station in the event of cooling fan failure or excessive heating of the weld station. The welding station also provides for a shutdown period for cooling off in the event that the maximum allowable instantaneous current is exceeded.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种改进的电子焊接站。 焊接站通过提供更高的击弧电压和大的电弧击穿电流来提供更好的击弧能力，并且一旦电弧被击中，焊接站就自动切换到用于进行焊接操作的预选参数。 还公开了一种用于防止由于容易导致非常大的瞬时电流流动的负载导致的晶体管故障的方法，以及用于在输出晶体管中的一个应该遭受集电极到达的情况下保护驱动电路和剩余的输出晶体管的装置 基本短 焊接站还描述了一种以与冷却要求相称的速度操作冷却风扇的方法，并且周期性地将冷却风扇的电压反转，以延长风扇刷的使用寿命。 焊接站还具有几个关闭电路，在冷却风扇故障或焊接站过热的情况下，保护焊接部件的部件。 在超过最大允许瞬时电流的情况下，焊接站还提供关闭时间以进行冷却。

公开(公告)号：US5017756A

公开(公告)日：1991-05-21

申请号：US434039

申请日：1989-11-09

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland

IPC: B23K9/10

CPC classification number: B23K9/1068 ,  B23K9/1087

Abstract: An improved electronic welding station is disclosed. The welding station provides for an improved arc striking capability by providing a higher arc striking voltage and a large arc striking current and, once the arc is struck, automatically switches over to preselected parameters for conducting the welding operation. Also disclosed are a method for preventing transistor failure due to loads which tend to cause a very large instantaneous current flow and an apparatus for protecting the driver circuit and the remaining output transistors in the event that one of the output transistors should suffer a collector-to-base short. The welding station also describes a method of operating the cooling fan at a speed commensurate with the cooling requirements and periodically reversing the voltage to the cooling fan so as to extend the operating lifetime of the fan brushes. The welding station also has several shutdown circuits which protect the components of the welding station in the event of cooling fan failure or excessive heating of the weld station. The welding station also provides for a shutdown period for cooling off in the event that the maximum allowable instantaneous current is exceeded.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种改进的电子焊接站。 焊接站通过提供更高的击弧电压和大的电弧击穿电流来提供更好的击弧能力，并且一旦电弧被击中，焊接站就自动切换到用于进行焊接操作的预选参数。 还公开了一种用于防止由于容易导致非常大的瞬时电流流动的负载导致的晶体管故障的方法，以及用于在输出晶体管中的一个应该遭受集电极到达的情况下保护驱动电路和剩余的输出晶体管的装置 基本短 焊接站还描述了一种以与冷却要求相称的速度操作冷却风扇的方法，并且周期性地将冷却风扇的电压反转，以延长风扇刷的使用寿命。 焊接站还具有几个关闭电路，在冷却风扇故障或焊接站过热的情况下，保护焊接部件的部件。 在超过最大允许瞬时电流的情况下，焊接站还提供关闭时间以进行冷却。

公开(公告)号：US4870248A

公开(公告)日：1989-09-26

申请号：US181985

申请日：1988-04-15

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland

IPC: B23K9/10

CPC classification number: B23K9/1068 ,  B23K9/1087

Abstract: A pulse type arc welder with improved arc starting characteristics. An output voltage level sensor (2017) monitors the output voltage to determine whether the arc has been struck. If the arc has not been struck, a first oscillator (2000) gates a second, higher frequency oscillator (2002) so that the input to the driver (2010) is a chopped, pulsed, high duty cycle waveform. Also, the bandwidth of the output current level sensor (2012) is reduced so that the high value, short lived arc starting transient current does not cause the output current level sensor (2012) to improperly shut down the driver (2010). Additional current limiting protection is provided during this period since the high chopping frequency causes the reactor (2010a) to have a high impedance. After the arc has been struck, the output voltage will drop to the arc sustaining voltage and the output voltage level sensor (2017) will de-energize relay (2003). The first oscillator (2000) then provides the driver (2010) with an input signal having the characteristics selected for the particular welding operation. Also, the bandwidth of the output current level sensor (2012) is restored to its full value.

Abstract translation: 具有改善电弧启动特性的脉冲式电弧焊机。 输出电压电平传感器（2017）监视输出电压以确定电弧是否已被击中。 如果电弧没有被击中，则第一振荡器（2000）门控第二高频振荡器（2002），使得到驱动器（2010）的输入是斩波的脉冲高占空比波形。 此外，输出电流电平传感器（2012）的带宽减小，使得高值，短寿命电弧启动瞬态电流不会导致输出电流电平传感器（2012）不正确地关闭驱动器（2010）。 由于高斩波频率导致电抗器（2010a）具有高阻抗，因此在此期间提供额外的电流限制保护。 在电弧被击中之后，输出电压将下降到电弧维持电压，输出电压电平传感器（2017）将使继电器断电（2003）。 第一振荡器（2000）然后为驱动器（2010）提供具有为特定焊接操作选择的特性的输入信号。 此外，输出电流电平传感器（2012）的带宽恢复到其全部值。

公开(公告)号：US06282460B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-28

申请号：US09772034

申请日：2001-01-29

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland ,  Kenneth Alan Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland ,  Kenneth Alan Gilliland

IPC: G05B1904

Abstract: A method for preventing collisions between robots by causing a first robot to stop or pause so that a second robot may safely pass by or perform a specified operation. Once the second robot has completed its operation then the first robot is allowed to resume operation. Each robot automatically stops when it reaches a certain point in its job. The robots communicate with a central controller which allows the robots to resume operation when the central controller has determined that all of the robots have reached their respective correct positions. This prevents collisions between robots which are operating in the same area, especially those robots operating on the same workpiece. This method works with existing robot welders, does not require modifications to the robots, and does not require expensive spatial analysis computer programs, which may not even be available for the type of processor used in a particular robot. The present invention also provides a method for specifying a compartment entry point for a welding operation based upon data provided from a CAD program. The present invention also provides a method for automatically determining the starting and ending coordinates of a weld using a touch-sensing capability of the robot. The present invention also provides a method for automatically tracking the joint for a welding seam by periodically measuring the coordinates of the components by using the touchsensing feature of the robot. The present invention also provides a method for automatically determining the position of a torch to provide for an optimum angle of attack for a welding operation based upon data, such as beam height and flange overhang, provided from a CAD program. The present invention also provides a method for automatically tracking the joint for a welding seam by weaving (dithering) the torch along the desired path, measuring the arc welding current at peak deviations from the travel path, and comparing the measured current on the two different sides of the weld to determine whether the torch is on the seam. The present invention also uses this method to automatically track the edge of a component for applying a welding bead to the edge of the component. The present invention also provides for automatically selecting a welding program from a standard set of welding programs based upon data from a CAD program.

公开(公告)号：US06226395B1

公开(公告)日：2001-05-01

申请号：US08829949

申请日：1997-04-01

Applicant: Malcolm T. Gilliland

Inventor： Malcolm T. Gilliland

IPC: G06K900

CPC classification number: G05B19/401 ,  B23K9/1274 ,  G05B2219/37208 ,  G05B2219/37555 ,  G05B2219/40293 ,  G06T7/55

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for scanning an object to obtain data on the object and determine the configuration of the object. A gantry (12) allows movement along a first direction (A-A′). A set of platforms (14A, 14B) allows movement along a second direction (B-B′). A set of scanning heads (16A, 16B) provide additional degrees of freedom and also provide for scanning the object (10) to obtain information about the object. The freedom of movement provided by the gantry, the platforms, and the scanning heads allows the object to be completely scanned. In addition, once the initial scanning process has been completely, areas which require additional scanning, such as compartments (10D), are identified. The scanning heads are then positioned, such as directly above or inside a compartment, and then the compartment is scanned to obtain information about the compartment that could not be obtained from the initial scanning procedure. The data obtained from the initial scan and any subsequent scans is processed to determine the configuration of the object. The information concerning the configuration is then used to perform a welding, cutting or other operation on the object.