Welding helmet for detecting arc data.

(54) Title: WELDING HELMET TO DETECT ARC DATA.

(54) Title: WELDING HELMET FOR DETECTING ARC DATA.

(57) Summary

A welding helmet is provided to detect arc data. One embodiment of the welding helmet includes an arc detection system configured to detect one or more welding arcs that occur during one or more welding operations. The welding helmet also includes control circuitry configured to count a series of one or more welding arcs detected by the arc detection system. The welding helmet includes a storage device configured to store the number of one or more welding arcs.

(57) Abstract

A welding helmet for detecting are data is provided. One embodiment of the welding helmet ineludes an are detection system configured to detect one or more welding ares that occur during one or more welding operations. The welding helmet also ineludes control circuitry configured to count a number of the one or more welding ares detected by the are detection system. The welding helmet includes a storage device configured to store the number of the one or more welding ares.

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PATENT TITLE No. 352143

Owner (s): ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

Address: 155 Harlem Avenue, Glenview, Illinois, 60025, USA

D nomination: WELDING HELMET FOR DETECTING ARC DATA.

Classification:

CIP:

CPC:

A61F9 / 06; B23K9 / 16; B23K9 / 32; F16P1 / 06; G06F3 / 00; G06F3 / 01

A61F9 / 067; A61F9 / 06; B23K9W6; B23K9 / 322; B23K37 / 006; F16P1 / 06;

G06F3 / 005; G06F3 / 012

Inventor (s)

WILLIAM J. BECKER; KYLE A. PEEIE £ R; ERIC T. SOMMERS

Number:

MX / a / 2014/013357 *, Fe4i «International:

Country:

US US

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4 ^ πΐ3γο ^ 2012 25, defe> f ^ o efe 2013

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Number:

61/643,014

13/775,563

Validity: Twenty years,

Expiration Date: May 2, 2033

Issue Date: November 10, 2017

The reference patent is granted on the basis of all »artiepse» »^ fraqgisn 111 / ^ 59 of the Italian Industrial Property Law.

In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, the preserve'patente has Wia'Vigensía of twenty years' non-extendable, counted from the date of filing of the international application ynasta / f subjefa ^ pagq ^ data LapkgaCa rnantajer in force two rights.

Whoever signs this title does so based on the provisions of (Official Gazette of the Federation (OO.F,) 08/27/1991, amended et.C 01/25/2006, 05/06/2009, 06/01 / 2010,18 / 06/2010. 06/28/2010, 01/27/2010¾ Regulation of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (Q.OF 1 articles 1^or, 3^or, 4^or, 5^or section V subsection a), 16 sections I and III and 30 of 12/27/1999, amended on 10/10/2002, 07/29/1 ""

Deputy Generals, Coordinator, Departmental Directors and other subordinates of the Institute 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

6th sections III and 7 'bis 2 of the Industrial Property Law 10/1996, '36 / 12/1997 ,. 06/17/1999, 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005,

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1/2012 «arti

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1st, 3rd fraction Y subsection a), 4^or and 12^or sections I and III of O1 / .O7 / J092, 07/15/2004, 07/28/2004 and 09/7/2007); nstifipo l | ¿Klcafto? Cie Industrial Property (DOF Actlerdoque delegates powers to the Directors ^ Divisional Deputy Directors, Coordinators 12/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004,

This official letter is signed with an advanced electronic signature (FIEL), based on articles 7 BIS 2 of the Industrial Property Law; 3 of its Regulations, and 1 section III, 2 section V, 26 BIS and 26 TÉR of the Agreement establishing the guidelines for the use of the Payment Portal and Electronic Services (PASE) of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, in the procedures indicated.

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

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Original string:

NAHANNY MARISOL CANAL REYES | 00001000000403252793 | Administration Service

Tax | 1695 || MX / 2017/92439 | MX / a / 2014/013357 | PCT patent title | 1223 | GAGV | Page (s) | 9yG9zRjqet3uE5yZGLSi6R5Zflg =

Digital stamp:

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CROSS REFERENCE WITH RELATED REQUESTS

This application is a US Non-Provisional Patent Application for US Provisional Application No. 61 / 643,014, entitled "Welding Helmet for Detecting Arc Data," filed on May 4, 2012, hereby incorporated as reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to welder's helmets and, more particularly, to a welder's helmet for detecting arc data.

Welding is a process that is increasingly used in various industries and applications. Such processes can be automated in certain contexts, although there are still a large number of applications for manual welding operations. In both cases, such welding operations rely on a variety of types of equipment to ensure that the supply of welding consumables (e.g., wire feed, shielding gas, etc.) is provided to the weld.¹ 0 in adequate quantities at the desired time.

Welding operations are usually carried out with goggles and / or helmets to protect the operator. These helmets may include a faceplate (or lens) that is darkened to prevent or limit exposure to arc light. On some helmets, the lens is constantly dark with the user folding the helmet down during welding. In other helmets, the lens can change from a clear state to a clear state

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SHORT DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a welder's helmet includes an arc detection system that is configured to detect one or more welding arcs that occur during one or more welding operations. The welder's helmet also includes control circuitry configured to count a series of one or more welding arcs detected by the arc detection system. The welder's helmet includes a storage device configured to store the number of one or more welding arcs.

In another embodiment, a welder's helmet includes an arc detection system that is configured to detect welding arcs that occur during one or more welding operations. The welder's helmet also includes control circuitry configured to determine a duration of each welding arc of a portion of the welding arcs detected by the arc detection system. The welder's helmet includes a storage device that is configured to store a total duration of the portion of the welding arcs detected by the arc detection system. The total duration of the portion of the welding arcs' O detected by the arc detection system, includes a sum of the duration of each welding arc of the portion of the welding arcs.

In another embodiment, a welder's helmet includes an arc detection system that is configured to detect one or more welding arcs that occur during one or more welding operations. The welder's helmet also includes control circuits configured to determine a resettable duration of the one or more 'IMPI ^^

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INUUSHJAJ. -Welding arcs detected by the arc detection system. The welder's helmet includes a storage device that is configured to store the resettable duration of the one or more welding arcs detected by the arc detection system, an earliest date that provides a benchmark relative to when it was last reset. time resettable duration, a first hour that provides the setpoint relative to when the resettable duration was last reset, a second date that provides the benchmark relative to when the resettable duration was last zero, a second time that provides the benchmark relative to when the resettable duration was last zero, or any of its combinations.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent similar parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a welding system that includes a welder's helmet to determine arc data according to

- 20 with the aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the welder's helmet of Figure 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the welder's helmet of Figure 2 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; Y

Figure 4 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for

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determining a duration (eg, length of time) of a welding arc in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described later. These described embodiments are only examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of these modalities, all the features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be noted that in the development of any real application, as in any engineering or design project, numerous application-specific decisions must be made, to achieve the specific objectives of the developers, such as meeting the constraints related to the system and business, which may vary from application to application. On the other hand, it should be appreciated that such a development effort could be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine design, fabrication, and manufacturing task for those of ordinary skill who would have the benefit of this disclosure.

Welding helmets, such as helmets that include auto-darkening welding lenses, include the arc detection system, which detects when a welding arc occurs during a welding operation, for example, using an optical sensor. Upon detection of the welding arc, the lens is darkened to a predetermined filter, thereby protecting the operator's eyes from the bright light that is emitted from the welding arc. The embodiments of the present disclosure obtain the arc data using the arc detection system. For example, a welder's helmet can count a series of detected welding arcs

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IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL by the arc detection system. As another example, a welder's helmet can determine a duration for each welding arc detected by the arc detection system.

The embodiments of the present invention can be used in a variety of welding applications. For example, Figure 1 illustrates an arc welding system 10. As described, arc welding system 10 may include a power source 12 that generates and supplies power for welding to an electrode 14 via conduit. 16. In arc welding system 10, a direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) can be used in conjunction with the consumable or non-consumable electrode 14 to supply current to the welding point. In such a welding system 10, an operator 18 can control the location and operation of the electrode 14 by positioning the electrode 14 and detonating the start and stop of the flow of current.

In welding operations employing the welding system 10 described in Figure 1, welding can be performed with certain precautions because of the generation of heat and bright light in the visible and non-visible spectra. To avoid overexposure to such light, the welding operator 18 dons a helmet assembly 20. The helmet assembly 20 includes a helmet shell 22 and a lens assembly 24 that can be darkened to prevent or limit exposure to light generated by a welding arc 26.

When operator 18 begins the welding operation by applying energy from power source 12 to electrode 14, welding arc 26 develops between electrode 14 and a workpiece 28. Electrode 14 and conduit 16 therefore supply Sufficient current and voltage to create welding arc 26 between electrode 14 and workpiece 28. The welding arc 26 fuses the metal (the base material and any added filler material) at the weld point β ΙΜΡΙ @> ^ iNSTIP / TO MLXJCANi> Λ

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As described below, the helmet assembly 20 that is used in the welding system 10 includes the lens assembly 24 that transitions between a light state and a darkened state. Generally, the lens assembly 24 may include the electronic components that cause the lens to darken (eg, an LCD that darkens when a voltage is applied across the layer). For example, operator 18 may "turn on" lens assembly 24 to provide a voltage across the lens and associated electronics, thereby causing assembly 24 to transition from an illuminated state ( for example, a relatively light state) to a darkened state.

In particular embodiments, lens assembly 24 may include electronic components that cause the lens to automatically darken when sensors detect bright light of more than a threshold value, for example, by detonating circuitry in lens assembly 24 to provide a voltage to through the lens. In some embodiments, the lens assembly 24 may include electronic components that cause the lens to automatically darken when the sensors detect a sufficiently rapid transition of light intensity (eg, from no-weld to weld). In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the welder's helmet assembly 20 may be configured to count a series and / or determine a duration of detected welding arcs 26. As will be appreciated,

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INDUSTRIAL Using a series of welding arcs 26 and / or welding arc durations 26 performed by the welding operator 18, welding operations can be evaluated to improve welding technique and / or efficiency.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the helmet assembly 20 of Figure 1. The helmet shell 22 may constitute the overall frame and support for the components of the welder's helmet assembly 20. For example, the shell of the helmet 22 provides partial housing around the face and neck of the operator 18 to protect the operator 18 from exposure to the high temperatures and bright light produced during welding. In addition to providing general protection, the helmet shell 22 provides a place to mount the lens assembly 24, the control circuitry 30 (eg, hardware and / or software), and all additional accessories.

Control circuitry 30 may include circuitry that is configured to monitor and control the status of lens assembly 24 (eg, a lens control module), as well as circuitry (eg, processor, microcontroller, internal time clock (RTC), etc.) to control other functions of the helmet assembly 20. For example, control circuitry 30 can perform amplification, conditioning, filtering, or manipulation of the signal. As another example, control circuitry 30 may be used to count a series and / or determine a duration of detected welding arcs 26. In one embodiment, control circuitry 30 may be provided as a component of lens assembly 24. For example, the lens assembly 24 can be mounted to the helmet shell 22 as a single unit. In another embodiment, the control circuitry 30 may be a component that is separate from the lens assembly 24. For example, when the control circuitry 30 is₈

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INDUSTRY, separate from the lens assembly 24, can be remotely mounted to the helmet shell 22 with a connection (for example, via lead wires, or wirelessly) to the lens assembly 24, sufficient to transmit the signals of control. In certain embodiments, the control circuits 30 can acquire and process various inputs, compare the inputs with the values ​​stored in a memory, and carry out programmed functions to provide the outputs corresponding to accessories related to the welder's helmet assembly. 20 (eg to lighten and darken the lens, extract sensor data, determine arc data).

An arc detection system 31 is used to detect a welding arc 26 that occurs during a welding operation and provides data to the control circuits 30. The arc detection system 31 can include various user interface inputs and sensor inputs. For example, the user interface inputs may include one or more manual tuning inputs 32 and an automatic tuning interface 34. The manual inputs 32 may include inputs disposed within or outside of the helmet shell 22 (for example, attached to the lens assembly 24) that provide signals when the inputs are manipulated by the operator 18. By placing the manual inputs 32 within the helmet shell 22, operator 18 may be discouraged from adjusting settings while welding arc 26 is present. Manual inputs 32 can be any device that provides a signal in response to operator input 18. For example, manual inputs 32 can include digital encoders, knobs, potentiometers, touch-sensitive sensors, touch screens, buttons (e.g., reset), braces, and so on. Consequently, the manual adjustment inputs 32 can allow the operator 18 to manually adjust the settings of the helmet 20. For example, in certain

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The welder's helmet assembly 20 may include at least one audio device 36 (eg, microphone, horn, pager radio, buzzer, etc.). In certain embodiments, the audio device 36 can be configured to pick up audible voice commands from the operator 18 so that the settings for the lens assembly 24 can be adjusted without using the hands. Audible commands may include adjusting the light sensitivity threshold, directing the lens to change to the dark or light state, adjusting the data displayed by the welder's helmet assembly 20 (e.g., duration of welding arc, number of welding arcs 26), and so on. In certain embodiments, the audio device 36 may provide audible feedback to the operator 18, such as audible alerts.

Arc detection system 31 may include optical sensors 38, which may be photodetectors configured to detect light (eg, ultra violet (UV), visible, infrared (IR)) and / or non-optical sensors 40 (eg, electromagnetic sensors configured to detect electromagnetic emissions). Optical sensors 38 can determine the intensity of light experienced in the lens and output a signal indicative of the intensity of the light to control circuitry 30. Based on the signal provided by the sensors 38, the control circuits 30 can output a signal to the lens assembly 24 to change to the light or dark state. The auto darkening lens can work by comparing the intensity of the detected light with the sensitivity threshold. That is, the optical sensors 38 can be connected to a bias circuit of the amplification and / or the voltage emitted by a onefSBtaiTW »· *

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INDUSTRIAL - signal (eg, voltage) directly related to optical sensor 38. This voltage is then compared to a threshold voltage (eg, sensitivity voltage), and the result of the comparison determines whether the state of the lens must be dark or clear.

In certain embodiments, the optical sensors 38 can include one or more cameras. As will be appreciated, the one or more cameras can be used to capture images. After the images are captured, the images can be processed in real time (eg, by control circuitry 30) to determine whether the characteristics of the images indicate the presence of welding, spraying, cutting, and so on. For example, the images may include bright spots, sparks, or other features that may indicate that the welding, spraying, and / or cutting images have been captured. In some embodiments, the camera data can be captured during a welding operation and post-processed after the welding operation is complete to determine one or more durations and / or counts related to the welding arcs established during the welding operation. welding.

Arc detection system 31 may include non-optical sensors 40 for detecting a welding arc 26. For example, non-optical sensors 40 may include UV light sensors, IR sensors, RF antennas, or any suitable sensor that can detect electromagnetic emissions. Through the use of optical sensors 38 and non-optical sensors 40, emissions from multiple regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (eg, multiple wavelength ranges) can be detected. Detection and analysis of multiple emissions from a welding arc 26 can reduce and / or eliminate false detections from a welding arc 26 (for example, false detections produced by a bright environment, such as sunlight outdoors, or flashing lights). For example, the system

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Arc detection device 31 can use emissions from two or more different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum to detect a welding arc 26, thereby limiting false detections.

As will be appreciated, when welding with different welding processes, emissions having different intensities and from different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum can be detected. Consequently, the type of welding process can be detected using the optical sensors 38 and non-optical sensors 40. For example, aluminum welding is generally brighter than welding with other materials. As another example, TIG welding often emits a high frequency (HF) emission when a welding arc 26 is started.

A welding arc 26 can be detected by the arc detection system 31 when the welder helmet assembly 20 is placed in close proximity to the welding activity that is not being performed by the operator 18 wearing the helmet assembly 20 In order to detect only the welding arcs 26 that correspond to the operator 18 wearing the helmet assembly 20, the arc detection system 31 may use the non-optical sensors 40. Such non-optical sensors 40 can include position sensors, orientation sensors, motion sensors, location sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, sound level sensors, and so on. For example, sensors 40 can include thermistors, thermocouples, hygrometers, pressure transducers, piezoelectric sensors, touch switches, geospatial locating devices (eg, global positioning system (GPS) device), accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). As will be appreciated, the sensors 40 can be disposed at any location on, or within the welder's helmet assembly 20. For example, sensors 40 may be within the

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INDUSTRIAL X '22' lens assembly 24, on or on the helmet shell 22, on a headgear of the welder's helmet assembly 20, and so on.

Using such sensors 40, the arc detection system 31 can detect when the operator 18, wearing the welder's helmet assembly 20, is moving. Sensors 40 can detect such movement and use the movement to help determine if a welding arc 26 is detected. For example, if the movement of operator 18 is not detected for a predetermined period of time (eg, ten seconds, sixty seconds) before emissions from a welding arc 26 are detected, the detected emissions can be considered false detection. .

The arc detection system 31 can also detect emissions from a welding arc 26 while the operator 18 wears the welder helmet assembly 20 with the helmet 20 in the raised position (eg, up). The operator 18 may have the helmet 20 in the raised position while performing non-welding activities such as preparing a welding application. Therefore, it may not be desirable to consider weld arcs 26 detected while helmet 20 is in the raised position as valid. Consequently, sensors 40 can be used to detect whether the helmet 20 is in the raised position or the lowered position (eg, down). For example, a first accelerometer can be placed on the lens assembly 24 or the helmet shell 22. A second accelerometer may be located elsewhere within the welder's helmet assembly 20 (eg, a headgear). By using the data from the first and second accelerometers, the control circuits 30 can determine whether the welder's helmet assembly 20 is in the raised or lowered position. In certain embodiments, the arc detection system 31 may treat the detected emissions as false emissions unless the welder's helmet assembly 20 is in the lowered position.

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As will be appreciated, the non-optical sensors 40 can be used to detect a type of operation being performed. For example, non-optical sensors 40 can be used to detect whether a welding operation, a cutting operation, and / or a spraying operation is being performed.

During operation, the control circuits 30 obtain arc data that relates to the welding arcs 26 detected by the arc detection system 31. Specifically, the control circuits 30 can determine a duration of the welding arcs. 26 detected by arc detection system 31. For example, control circuits 30 may determine a duration of each welding arc 26 detected by arc detection system 31. Using the duration of the welding arcs 26 detected by the arc detection system 31, the control circuits 30 can determine a total duration of the welding arcs 26 that have occurred over a period of time. For example, the control circuits 30 can determine a total duration of the welding arcs 26 during the life of the lens assembly 24 or the welder's helmet assembly 20. Control circuits 30 may store a date and / or time corresponding to the last time the total duration of welding arcs 26 was zero, or some other initial value. The control circuits 30 can also determine a total duration of the welding arcs 26 since a previous reset occurred. In such modes, manual inputs 32 can be used to reset the total durations of the welding arc 26. The control circuits 30 can store a date and / or a time corresponding to the moment the reset occurred. The control circuits 30 can also be used to determine a total duration of the welding arcs 26 for a specific operator 18. For example, an operator 18 can be identified as being the only operator of the operator helmet assembly 20 and / or the assembly. lens 24. In the

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INDUSTRIAL welding applications where multiple operators use a single welder helmet assembly 20, an operator 18 may be identified (eg, authenticated) by entering the user's identification on the welder helmet assembly 20, for example. Also, in welding applications where multiple operators use a single lens assembly 24, an operator 18 can be identified by entering the user identification on lens assembly 24, for example. The duration of the welding arcs 26 performed by an operator 18 can be useful in determining the productivity and efficiency of welding operations.

The control circuits 30 can also count a series of welding arcs 26 detected by the arc detection system 31. For example, the control circuits 30 can determine a total number of welding arcs 26 detected by the arc detection system. arcs 31 during the life of the lens assembly 24 or the welder's helmet assembly 20. The control circuits 30 can store a date and / or a time corresponding to the last time the total number of welding arcs 26 was zero, or some other initial value. Control circuits 30 can also determine a total number of welding arcs 26 detected since a previous reset occurred. In such modes, manual inputs 32 can be used to reset the total number of weld arcs 26 detected. The control circuits 30 may store a date and / or a time corresponding to the time the reset occurred. Control circuits 30 can also be used to determine a total number of welding arcs 26 for a specific operator 18. In certain embodiments, certain welding arcs 26 may not be included in the count of the number of welding arcs 26 detected by the system. arc detection 31. For example, before welding two parts together, operator 18 can apply points to weld the two parts together at various locations to align and connect the parts.

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INDUSTRIAL two parts. The weld spots can be short-lived (for example, one to two seconds). Depending on the duration of the weld, the weld spots can be detected. The welding spots may not be included in the number of welding arcs 26 detected by the arc detection system 31. For example, if the weld spots have a duration of less than a predetermined threshold, the weld spots may not be included in the number of weld arcs 26 detected by the arc detection system 31. As will be appreciated, the predetermined threshold it can be set by operator 18 (eg, via inputs 32, 34). Furthermore, the welding points can be excluded from the total duration of the welding arc. In addition, the solder spots may have a separate total duration and / or count of the solder spots that is determined by the control circuits 30.

As will be appreciated, if the application of solder spots is detected, the control circuitry 30 may be configured to control the lens assembly 24 based on a "spot weld" mode in which the lens assembly 24 is darkened at a default shade when weld spot application is detected and lightens to a default shade (for example, typically darker than the lightest shade available) when no weld is detected. Because spot welding involves many quick changes to the lens filter, using a darker filter for when there is no welding can less strain the operator's eyes 18.

Various lens modes (eg, weld, cut, spray) may be available for lens assembly 24. Each of the lens modes may have different lens settings that can be stored in storage device 42 ( eg volatile memory, non-volatile memory). When the ιβ IMPIOS

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INDUiTWAL --I »· * operator 18 switches between different modes, lens settings for that mode can be applied to lens assembly 24. Such lens settings can relate to filter options, sensor types, triggering sensors, disable sensors, and so on. In certain embodiments, the control circuitry 30 may determine a total duration and / or a total number of welding arcs 26 for each available lens mode.

Control circuits 30 can also determine a total duration and / or a total number of welding arcs 26 based on data received from one or more of sensors 38 and 40. For example, temperature and humidity sensors they can be configured to measure a heat index of the air within the welder's helmet assembly 20. The accuracy and / or efficiency of a welding operation can be affected by the heat index. Therefore, the control circuits 30 can determine a total duration and / or a number of welding arcs 26 made while the index is. Heat from the air within the welder's helmet assembly 20 is greater than a predetermined threshold. As another example, the location sensors can determine the location of the welder's helmet assembly 20 (eg, global geographic location, location within a manufacturing plant). The control circuits 30 can determine a total duration and / or a total number of welding arcs 26 that are related to a specific location or range of location to track welding activity? 0 occurring at the location or range of location. It should be noted that while the total duration and / or a total number of welding arcs 26 can be determined for a specific category, sensor, and / or location, a general total duration and / or a total number of welding arcs can also be determined. solder 26.

As a further example, the accelerometers can determine an orientation of the welder's helmet assembly 20 (e.g., flat - facing toward

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down when welding on a surface parallel to the ground, vertical or horizontal -

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INDUSTRIAL facing straight ahead when welding on a surface perpendicular to the ground, suspended high - facing up when welding on a surface above the operator's head). Control circuits 30 can determine a total duration and / or a total number of welding arcs 26 that are related to a specific orientation of the welder's helmet assembly 20.

Control circuits 30 can be used to calculate the additional data that relates to welding arcs 26. For example, control circuits 30 can calculate an average weld duration for all welding arcs 26. Control circuits 30 can also calculate an average weld duration for a specific category, such as weld orientation, weld process, lens mode, environmental conditions, location, apply weld spots, do not apply weld spots, and so on. The control circuits 30 can also determine a weld of the longest duration, a weld of the shortest duration, a maximum number of welds performed in a predetermined period of time, and a minimum number of welds performed in a predetermined period of time. .

As discussed above, welder's helmet assembly 20 may include storage device 42 for storing data that relates to welding arcs 26 detected by arc detection system 31. Storage device 42 may include volatile memory and / or non-volatile. However, it should be noted that to protect data in the event of power loss (eg, low battery voltage), the storage device 42 may be non-volatile memory. As will be appreciated, the storage device 42 can store all perceived, detected, calculated and / or determined data. For example, storage device 42 may store the total cumulative (non-zero) duration of welding arcs 26 (for example, the total may include the sum of the duration of each welding arc 26 detected by the monitoring system. arc detection 31), the total accumulated duration (settable to zero) of the welding arcs 26, the total duration of the welding arcs 26 that relate to a particular sensor (for example, the total may include the sum of the duration of each welding arc 26 detected by the arc detection system 31 since the last reset occurred), the overall total number of welding arcs 26, the total number of welding arcs 26 that relate to a particular sensor, a non-zero setting number of welding arcs 26, a welding arc start time 26, a welding arc end time 26, an overall average duration of the welding arc 26, an average duration of the welding arc 26 for a particular sensor, a weld of the longest duration, a weld of the shortest duration, a maximum number of welds performed in a period of time default, a minimum number of welds performed in a predetermined period of time, lens settings for each weld, sensor values ​​for each weld, user identifications for each weld, durations of each welding arc 26 performed while a user is authenticated, and so on. Consequently, the storage device 42 can store a history of welding activity performed with the welder's helmet assembly 20. Storage device 42 may include memory devices and / or interface devices (eg, universal serial bus (USB), removable memory card slot, Secure Digital (SD) slot) for memory devices.

The welder's helmet assembly 20 may include a display 44 that is configured to display the welding arc data 26 received from the

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control circuitry 30 and / or storage device 42. Display 44 may be an active or passive matrix liquid crystal display (LCD), seven segment displays, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), a display LED, a touch screen, or any other suitable type of screen. For example, the display 44 can be emitting or reflective and can also have a backlight or headlight. The display 44 may display the configurations of the lens assembly 24 or any other type of information. In certain embodiments, the content of screen 44 may be changed based on settings made using inputs 32 and 34. In some embodiments, the language or format of the information displayed may be selectable by operator 18. In order to conserve battery life, the display 44 can be configured to automatically turn off when a welding arc 26 is detected. In addition, the shield 44 can be built into the lens assembly 24, or the shield 44 can be separate from the lens assembly 24.

In certain modes, display 44 can be configured to show: an overall total duration of welding arcs 26, a total duration of welding arcs 26 since a previous reset, a duration of a welding arc 26 that is performed (for example, the duration of a welding arc 26 that does not has ended), a duration of a previous welding arc 26 (for example, the duration of a welding arc 26 that has already ended), a detected welding process, an overall total number of welding arcs 26, a total number of weld arcs 26 since a previous reset, a total number of weld arcs 26 during a shift, day, or week, an average weld duration, a longest weld duration, a weld duration shorter, a maximum number of welds performed in a predetermined period of time, a minimum number of welds performed in a predetermined period of time, and so on. As will be appreciated, the display

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A welding operator 18 may receive an alert (eg, feedback) from the display 44 and / or the audio device 36. In certain embodiments, the welding operator 18 may wish to receive an alert when a certain condition in relation to a welding arc 26 is fulfilled. For example, the welding operator 18 may wish to be alerted when a target (e.g., predetermined) value for the cumulative duration of the welding arc 26, a duration of the welding arc 26 for a single welding arc 26, or the accumulated count of welding arc 26 is reached, under or exceeded. Welding operator 18 may be alerted visually (eg, via display 44) or audibly (eg, via audio device 36). In addition, the welding operator 18 may be alerted while a welding operation is being performed, or after the welding operation is performed. In certain embodiments, such as production applications, the alert can notify the welding operator 18 that too few or too many welds have been made for a particular part, thereby providing guidance to improve quality control. In other modes, such as training applications, the alert may notify a welding operator 18 in training that the duration of welding arc 26 for a weld did not reach a desired value. This could indicate to operator 18 that the weld travel speed was either too fast or too slow. During training, the normal, minimum and maximum durations of the welding arc 26 can be provided to the operator 18. In certain modes in relation to maintenance, an alert can be set to notify the welding operator 18 that the component (eg, a lens in the protective cover) of τ Μ Ρ Τ

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Accordingly, the welder's helmet assembly 20 may include a wireless communication device 46 (eg, a transmitter) to allow the helmet 20 to communicate with other devices. Welder helmet assembly 20 may use wireless communication device 46 to transmit data from welding arc 26 to be stored on another device, such as a computer, tablet, smart phone, or warning display. The wireless communication device 46 can communicate using any suitable wireless interface, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, wireless USB, cellular, and so on. In certain. In these modalities, multiple welding helmet assemblies 20 can wirelessly transmit data from welding arc 26 (eg, the duration of each welding arc 26) to a remote device where the data can be monitored and analyzed. In such an embodiment, a supervisor, manager, and / or instructor can use the data to monitor the productivity, efficiency, and / or techniques of the welding operators 18. As will be appreciated, the wireless communication device 46 can be used to receive inputs, such as settings for the i

welder helmet set 20, zero weld data (for example, total weld duration, total weld counts, etc.), and so on.

As discussed, the signals provided by the various inputs 32,

34,36, 38, and 40 can be monitored by control circuitry 30, as illustrated by a control configuration 48 in Figure 3. For example, in response to a signal

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From the optical sensors 38 indicating that the welding arc 26 has been fired, the control circuits 30 can send a command to the lens assembly 24 to darken the lens. In another embodiment, a signal from automatic adjustment interface 34 can initialize automatic sensitivity adjustment. In addition, the control circuits 30 can be configured to give priority to one input over another. For example, to ensure that the lens darkens when the welding arc 26 is present, the control circuits 30 may send a command to the lens assembly 24 to darken the lens even if the last command audible to the audio device 36 was clear the lens. Similarly, to prevent accidental lens rinsing during welding, control circuits 30 may not respond to command signals to rinse the lens while optical sensors 38 detect welding arc 26. As illustrated, A user interface 50 of the welder's helmet assembly 20 may include inputs 32 and 34.

The total duration of the welding arc 26 capable of being reset, as discussed above, can function in the same way as a trip meter (eg, an odometer) in a car. Specifically, the total duration of welding arc 26 capable of being restarted can track the amount of welding performed since the last time it was restarted. It does this by keeping track of the data from the arc detection system 31 and calculating the total amount of time that the welding arc 26 is detected. At any point in time, operator 18 can reset the total resettable duration of welding arc 26 to zero. This allows a welding operator 18 to track their welding activity over a period of time, such as a day, week, month, or while working on a specific welding application. As will be appreciated, in the welding application where supervisors want to monitor arc data

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Welding INC'USTSjAL 26 of operator 18 (e.g., employee), welder's helmet assembly 20 and / or lens assembly 24 may include a safety feature that inhibits resettable data (e.g., resettable total duration welding arc 26) to be reset to zero without authentication (for example, via password, fingerprint, RFID device, barcode, Bluetooth communication, card reader, key sequence, key, etc.).

The date and time of the last reset can be stored in the storage device 42 so that the user can compare the value of the total resettable duration of the welding arc 26 with the total amount of time elapsed when

Or that it corresponds to that value. The time of the last reset can be displayed directly (for example, 7:30 a.m. on March 5, 2012) or relative to the current time (for example, 3 days, 14 hours, 15 seconds since the last reset). Like a non-resettable odometer in a car, a total non-resettable duration of the welding arc 26 can also be tracked over the life of the lens assembly 24 and / or the

I5 welder's helmet assembly 20. The total non-resettable number of welding arcs 26 can also be permanently tracked. In certain embodiments, such non-resettable data can be used to validate a quantity of the use of the lens assembly 24 and / or the welder's helmet assembly 20 (eg, for warranty claims).

The duration of the welding pre-arc 26 may also be stored in the storage device 42 and available for display. Although a total duration of welding arc 26 can keep track of the cumulative duration of welding arcs 26 for a particular application, the duration of each individual welding arc 26 may also be available to operator 18 without having to restart. the cumulative duration of the welding arcs 26 between each ₂4 WICKED

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INlXJÍTniAL ^L welding arc 26. This may allow analysis of the data in relation to certain welding applications. It can also be useful in a welding training situation when the student is instructed on the proper travel speed of a weld. In this case, the duration of a welding arc 26 can indicate the average travel speed for a known length of weld (eg, 30 centimeters).

Figure 4 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method 52 for determining a duration (eg, length of time) of welding arc 26. At block 54, an ARC_RESET_TIME is read by control circuits 30. The ARC_RESET_TIME provides an indication as to whether an ARC_TIME is reset (eg, the total resettable duration of welding arc 26). Next, in block 56, the control circuits 30 determine whether the ARC_RESET_TIME is true. If the ARC_RESET_TIME is true, method 52 proceeds to block 58 and sets the ARC_TIME equal to zero. At block 60, control circuitry 30 sets ARC_COUNT (eg, the total resettable number of welding arcs 26 since a reset of the total resettable duration of welding arcs 26) to zero. Next, at block 62, the control circuits 30 set RESET_TIME (eg, the time of the last reset) to the RTC_TIME (eg, the current time). Then, in block 64, the control circuits 30 set the ARC_RESET_TIME to false.

If, in block 56, the ARC_REINICKX_TIME is false, method 52 proceeds to block 66 where ARC_DETECTION (eg, arc detection system 31 has detected a welding arc 26) is read. Next, at block 68, the control circuits 30 determine whether the

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ARC_DETECTION is true. If ARC_DET is false, method 52 returns to block 54. However, if ARC_DET is true, method 52 moves to block 70. Then, in block 70, control circuits 30 set START_TIME ( for example, the time a welding arc 26 starts) at RTC_TIME.

Method 52 proceeds to block 72 where ARC_DETECTION is read again. Next, at block 74, the control circuits 30 determine whether the ARC_DETECTION is true. If the ARC_DETECTION is true, method 52 returns to block 72. However, if the ARC_DETECTION is false, method 52 moves to block 76. Then, at block 76, control circuits 30 set END_TIME (eg, the time a welding arc 26 ends) to RTC_TIME.

In block 78, control circuits 30 calculate ARC_DURATION (eg, duration of welding arc 26) by subtracting START_TIME from END_TIME (eg, END_TIME START_TIME). Next, in block 80, the control circuits 30 update the resettable accumulated ARC_TIME, adding the ARC_TIME to the ARC_DURATION. Then, at block 82, the control circuits 30 increment the COUNT_OF_ARCS (eg, CO NT EO_OF_ARCS = COUNT_OF_ARCS + 1). At block 84, the control circuits 30 update the TOTAL_ARC_TIME (eg, the total non-resettable duration of the welding arc 26) by adding the TOTAL_ARC_TIME to the ARC_DURATION. The method then returns to block 54.

As will be appreciated, the duration of the welding arc 26 (eg, individual, accumulated, resettable, non-resettable) and the number of welding arcs

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Although only some features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.