James F Rappl

6670579, Dec 30, 2003

Sep 19, 2001

09/957707

Robert R. Davidson - New London WI
Todd Holverson - Appleton WI
L. Thomas Hayes - Oshkosh WI
James Rappl - Neenah WI
James Uecker - Appleton WI
James Olejnizak - Appleton WI

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

B23K 910

2191305, 2191251

A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power including a source of welding-type power connected to a controller is disclosed. The controller includes a controller network module with a controller multiple level message module. A welding-type device includes a device network module with a device multiple level message module. A network is operatively connected to the network modules, and is capable of sending a plurality of multiple level messages. A welding peripheral and/or a second source of power has a network module with a multiple level module and is connected to the network. The multiple level message includes an identifier portion and a data portion, and the data portion can include a pointer portion and a value portion in various alternatives. The components may have memory connected to the multiple level message modules, and store common message decoding data therein so that they have shared knowledge for decoding the pointer portions and data portions. The common data can be the same in all devices.

8330077, Dec 11, 2012

Sep 3, 2009

12/553796

James Francis Rappl - Neenah WI, US
Thomas D. Ihde - Appleton WI, US
Jeffery R. Ihde - Greenville WI, US
Joseph Edward Feldhausen - Appleton WI, US

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

B23K 9/10

2191301, 2191305, 219132, 219136, 219137 R, 219137 PS

Embodiments of a pendant associated with a multi-process welding power supply that allows a user to switch processes and reverse an output polarity while located remotely from a power supply unit are provided. Certain embodiments include a pendant with a wire spool and wire feeder drive circuitry that is configured to activate spooling during MIG welding. Control circuitry that may include processing circuitry and memory is provided. The control system may disable redundant controls on the power supply unit user interface when the power supply unit is connected to the pendant via a supply cable. Additionally, the control system may set the process, set the polarity, enable or disable a wire feed, and enable or disable gas flow according to inputs received via a user interface on either the power supply unit or the pendant.

8357007, Jan 22, 2013

Feb 14, 2011

13/026776

Jeffery Ray Ihde - Greenville WI, US
James Francis Rappl - Neenah WI, US
Thomas Don Lahti - Appleton WI, US

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

H01R 13/58

439455

A cable assembly with strain relief for providing welding control is provided. One welding control cable assembly includes a cable having a plurality of conductors configured to convey data and/or power in an insulative jacket. The cable assembly also includes a retainer bound to an outer surface of the insulative jacket adjacent to an end of the cable and a connector assembly having a plurality of connector elements in a housing. Each of the connector elements is terminated to a respective one of the conductors. The housing is disposed adjacent to the retainer. The assembly includes an overmolded shell disposed over the retainer and at least a portion of the connector assembly. At least the insulative jacket, the retainer and the overmolded shell cooperate to resist stress on the conductors by axial tensile forces placed on the connector assembly.

20030052108, Mar 20, 2003

Sep 19, 2001

09/956501

James Rappl - Neenah WI, US
Robert Davidson - New London WI, US

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

B23K009/10

219/130500, 901/042000

A method and apparatus for calibrating a welding-type power supply and a robot are disclosed. They include entering a calibration mode (in the welding-type power supply) and providing one or two predetermined commands (for a welding parameter) from the robot to the welding-type power supply, and comparing them to two standards. A command scaling curve for the parameter is calculated in response to the comparisons. Predetermined commands, relating to two or more different welding parameters, may be used to calibrate two or more parameters, and to create two or more command scaling curves. Parameters that are calibrated include wire feed speed, voltage and arc length (trim). Feedback from the welding-type power supply may be provided to the robot that is indicative of a commanded output. The predetermined commands may alternatively be user-determined, or provided by a user interface or a memory.

20110073569, Mar 31, 2011

Jul 26, 2010

12/843321

James Francis Rappl - Neenah WI, US
Brian Lee Ott - Sherwood WI, US
Andrew David Nelson - Appleton WI, US
Jeremy Daniel Overesch - Neenah WI, US
Anthony Van Bergen Salsich - Appleton WI, US
Quinn William Schartner - Kaukauna WI, US
Kenneth Austin Stanzel - Appleton WI, US

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

B23K 9/18
B23K 11/25

219 732, 219108

Various welding systems that provide communication over auxiliary or weld power lines are provided. The disclosed embodiments may include a multi-process welding power supply that is communicatively coupled to a pendant via an auxiliary conduit that facilitates the exchange of data and power between components of the welding system. In some embodiments, the pendant may also include auxiliary outlets that allow an operator to power auxiliary devices at the weld location. The disclosed embodiments further include a pendant with a wire spool and wire feeder drive circuitry that is configured to activate spooling during MIG welding. Embodiments are provided that also allow for bidirectional data communication over a power line in networked welding systems.

20110204013, Aug 25, 2011

Dec 7, 2010

12/962070

Thomas Don Lahti - Appleton WI, US
Jeffery Ray Ihde - Greenville WI, US
Gary A. Thyssen - Appleton WI, US
Michael Todd Klegin - Greenville WI, US
Joseph Edward Feldhausen - Appleton WI, US
James Francis Rappl - Neenah WI, US
Lindsay Lee Konop - Green Bay WI, US

Illinois Tools Works Inc. - Glenview IL

A47B 81/00
A47B 47/00

211 858, 211 26, 211194

An external support structure for a welding power supply includes a cage-like assembly that is configured to receive and at least partially surround the welding power supply. The cage-like assembly includes fastening points allowing for securement of the welding power supply within the assembly. The assembly further includes stacking members to permit stacking of the assembly with a self-similar structure.

20110247999, Oct 13, 2011

Feb 11, 2011

13/025949

Jeffery Ray Ihde - Greenville WI, US
Thomas Don Lahti - Appleton WI, US
James Francis Rappl - Neenah WI, US
Joseph Edward Feldhausen - Appleton WI, US

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. - Glenview IL

B23K 9/16

219 74

A weld electrical and gas connector with sealed gas flow is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a welding cable connector system includes a male connector having a conductive body for conveying welding power. The male connector includes a sealed passageway disposed coaxially of the conductive body for conveying shielding gas, and a gas sealing valve configured to seat to stop flow of shielding gas when the male connector is not engaged. The system also includes a female connector having a conductive body for conveying welding power. The female connector includes a sealed passageway disposed coaxially of the conductive body for conveying shielding gas, and a gas sealing valve configured to seat to stop flow of shielding gas when the female connector is not engaged. The male and female connectors are mutually engageable to conduct welding power and shielding gas therethrough.

20110284500, Nov 24, 2011

Apr 18, 2011

13/088778

James Francis Rappl - Neenah WI, US
Thomas Don Lahti - Appleton WI, US
Jeffery Ray Ihde - Greenville WI, US

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

B23K 9/16

219 74

A method and system for detecting a welding gas leak is provided. One welding power supply includes a gas valve configured to control the flow of shielding gas to a welding device through a gas line. The welding power supply also includes a sensor coupled to the gas line and configured to detect a parameter of the shielding gas. The welding power supply includes control circuitry coupled to the gas valve and to the sensor, and configured to control the operation of the gas valve, and to receive device value representative of the detected parameter. The control circuitry is further configured to determine a leak test result based upon the parameter value, and to provide an operator indicator of the leak test result.