US20080156925A1 - Wire Dispensing System - Google Patents
Wire Dispensing System Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080156925A1 US20080156925A1 US11/965,813 US96581307A US2008156925A1 US 20080156925 A1 US20080156925 A1 US 20080156925A1 US 96581307 A US96581307 A US 96581307A US 2008156925 A1 US2008156925 A1 US 2008156925A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wire
- coils
- feeder
- coil
- transfer arm
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003032 molecular docking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H57/00—Guides for filamentary materials; Supports therefor
- B65H57/18—Guides for filamentary materials; Supports therefor mounted to facilitate unwinding of material from packages
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K9/00—Arc welding or cutting
- B23K9/12—Automatic feeding or moving of electrodes or work for spot or seam welding or cutting
- B23K9/133—Means for feeding electrodes, e.g. drums, rolls, motors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H49/00—Unwinding or paying-out filamentary material; Supporting, storing or transporting packages from which filamentary material is to be withdrawn or paid-out
- B65H49/02—Methods or apparatus in which packages do not rotate
- B65H49/04—Package-supporting devices
- B65H49/10—Package-supporting devices for one operative package and one or more reserve packages
- B65H49/12—Package-supporting devices for one operative package and one or more reserve packages the reserve packages being mounted to permit manual or automatic transfer to operating position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H57/00—Guides for filamentary materials; Supports therefor
- B65H57/12—Tubes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a wire dispensing system for use with welding wire.
- the present invention relates to a wire dispensing system which enables continuous dispensing of wire from a wire coil to a welding site.
- the present invention also relates to a wire dispensing system which enables movement of the wire through a welding wire guide system where the wire coil is a long distance from the welding site.
- a wire dispensing system for continuous dispensing of wire from wire coils to a welding site.
- the system enables switching from a depleted wire coil to a new wire coil without having to stop the system or reload the system with the new wire.
- the system includes a frame and a wire feeder.
- the frame is used to position the wire coils in a side by side relationship and to mount the wire feeder above the wire coils.
- the wire coils are mounted in drums.
- the drums have a top with a slot which allows for dispensing of the wire from the drums and for automatic switching from one drum to the adjacent drum.
- the frame also includes a wire transfer arm spaced between the drums and the wire feeder.
- the wire transfer arm is pivotably mounted so as to be able to pivot from a position over one of the drums to a position over the adjacent drum.
- the wire transfer arm extends outward from the frame toward the drums and away from the wire feeder.
- the wire is attached to the wire transfer arm spaced apart from the center post of the frame and the wire feeder.
- the system can also be provided with guide conduits which extend from the drums to the inlet of the wire feeder and from the outlet of the wire feeder to the welding site. The guide conduits help to protect the wire and to correctly position the wire.
- the wire from the first coil is fed through the first guide conduit to the wire feeder through the wire feeder to the second guide conduit.
- the wire feeder is then activated to move the wire through the second guide conduit to the welding site.
- the wire feeder pulls the wire from the wire coil and pushes the wire to the welding site.
- the second end of the first wire coil is connected to the first end of the second wire coil.
- the wire is automatically dispersed from the second wire coil.
- the wire transfer arm As the dispensing of the wire moves from the first wire coil to the second wire coil, the wire pulls on the wire transfer arm and pivots the wire transfer arm from over the first wire coil to over the second wire coil to ensure that the wire continuously moves without interruption to the wire feeder and to the welding site.
- the wire feeder is mounted directly on the top of the drum.
- the top has a cone shape with an opening in the apex of the cone.
- the present invention relates to a weld wire dispensing system for continuously feeding wire from wire coils to a welding site, which comprises a frame for positioning the wire coils and a wire feeder mounted on the frame and spaced apart from the wire coils for pulling wire from the wire coils and pushing wire to the welding site.
- the present invention relates to a wire dispensing system for continuously moving wire to a welding site, which comprises a first wire coil having a first end and a second end, a second wire coil having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the second wire coil is configured to be connected to the second end of the first wire coil, and a wire feeder spaced apart from the first and second wire coils and configured to receive wire from the first or second wire coil wherein in operation the wire feeder pulls the wire from the first or second wire coil and pushes the wire to the welding site.
- the present invention relates to a wire dispensing system for continuously dispensing wire from wire coils to a welding site, which comprises a pair of drums, each drum configured to hold one wire coil, a frame for positioning the drums in a side-by-side arrangement having a center post positioned between the drums and extending upward beyond a top of the drums, a wire feeder mounted on the center post above the top of the drums, a first guide conduit extending between the top of the drums and the wire feeder, and a second guide conduit extending from the wire feeder toward the welding site, wherein the wire feeder pulls the wire through the first guide conduit and pushes the wire through the second guide conduit to the welding site.
- the present invention relates to a system for feeding wire from a wire coil to a welding site which comprises a drum for holding the wire coil having a top with an opening and a wire feeder mounted on the top of the drum adjacent the opening for pulling wire from the wire coil out of the drum and pushing the wire to the welding site.
- the present invention relates to a method for continuously providing welding wire to a welding site, which comprises the steps of providing at least two wire coils, providing a wire feeder, feeding the wire from one of the wire coils through the wire feeder to the welding site, activating the wire feeder so that the wire feeder pulls wire from one of the wire coils and pushes the wire to the welding site, connecting an end wire from one of the wire coils to a start wire of the other one of the wire coils, and switching from one of the wire coils to the other of the wire coils when one of the wire coils is depleted, wherein as the wire is dispensed from one of the wire coils and the end wire of the wire coil is reached, the wire feeder continues to pull on the wire so that the start wire of the other one of the wire coils is moved through the wire feeder so that the wire is provided from the other one of the wire coils and wire is continuously provided to the welding site.
- FIG. 1 is side view of the wire dispensing system 10 of the present invention showing the frame 12 , the wire feeder 24 and the drum 20 .
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the wire dispensing system 10 showing the drums 18 and 20 , the frame 12 and the wire feeder 24 .
- FIG. 2A is a schematic top view showing the slots 23 in the tops 19 of the drums 18 and 20 .
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the wire feeder 24 in the operating position with the wire 100 loaded through the wire feeder 24 .
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the wire feeder 24 without the drive roller 24 and the follower roller 38 showing the handle 42 in the open locked position with the handle 42 in the closed, unlocked position in phantom.
- FIG. 5 is a top view of the wire feeder 24 without the drive roller 24 and the follower roller 38 with the bail 40 in the open, load position.
- FIG. 6 is a front view of the drum 218 and top 219 of a second embodiment of the wire dispensing system 210 .
- FIG. 7 is a front, partial view of the top 219 of the drum 218 of the second embodiment showing the wire feeder 224 mounted on the inlet probe 227 .
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show the wire dispensing system 10 of the present invention.
- the wire dispensing system 10 enables continuous dispensing of welding wire 100 from wire coils 102 and 104 to a welding site (not shown).
- the wire dispensing system 10 includes a frame 12 , a wire transfer arm 22 , a wire feeder 24 , and guide conduits 28 and 30 .
- the system 10 also includes drums 18 and 20 which contain the wire coils 102 and 104 .
- the system 10 may be used with or without a container for the wire coils 102 and 104 and that any means for containing the wire coils 102 and 104 well known in the art may be used.
- the frame 12 allows for positioning a pair of wire coils 102 and 104 in first and second drums 18 and 20 in a side by side position.
- the frame 12 includes horizontal side arms 14 and a center arm 16 which form side-by-side stalls or openings which enable the wire coils 102 and 104 to be positioned adjacent to each other with the center arm 16 positioned between the wire coils 102 and 104 .
- the frame includes front and back side arms and front and back center arms which allows for the positioning of four (4) wire coils.
- the frame 12 includes a vertical center post 21 which extends upward beyond the top end of the drums 18 and 20 .
- the vertical center post 21 is positioned between the drums 18 and 20 .
- the frame 12 is constructed of aluminum. However, it is understood that the frame 12 can be constructed of any durable material.
- Each of the drums 18 and 20 has a top or dome 19 positioned on the open, top end of each of the drums 18 and 20 .
- the tops 19 are essentially identical. In one (1) embodiment, the tops 19 have a rounded shape. In one (1) embodiment, the top 19 is plastic. In one (1) embodiment, the outer edge of the top 19 has a shape similar to the shape of the drum 18 and 20 , for example round, square or octagon. In one (1) embodiment, the top 19 completely covers the open top end of the drum 18 and 20 .
- Each top 19 has a slot 23 having first and second ends 23 A and 23 B ( FIG. 2A ). The first end 23 A of the slot 23 is adjacent the center of the top 19 and the drum 18 or 20 .
- the second end 23 B of the slot 23 is adjacent the outside edge or rim of the top 19 and the drum 18 or 20 .
- the shape of the slot 23 from the center to the edge is arcuate similar to the path of the second end 22 B of the wire transfer arm 22 as the transfer arm 22 moves from over the first drum 18 to over the second drum 20 .
- the slot 23 extends from the center of the drum 18 in a direction toward the adjacent drum 20 and away from the center post 21 .
- the slots 23 are a straight line from the center of the drum 18 and 20 to essentially the rim of the drums 18 and 20 .
- the slots 23 of the tops 19 of each adjacent drum 18 or 20 are mirror images of each other.
- a bridge is provided extending between the second ends 23 B of the slots 23 adjacent the edges of the drums 18 or 20 .
- a wire transfer arm 22 is pivotably mounted on the center post 21 spaced apart from and above the drums 18 and 20 .
- the wire transfer arm 22 has opposed first and second ends 22 A and 22 B with the first end 22 A pivotably mounted on the center post 21 .
- the wire transfer arm 22 is essentially perpendicular to the center post 21 and extends outward from the center post 21 in a direction essentially toward the drums 18 and 20 and the wire coils 102 and 104 .
- the wire transfer arm 22 is able to be pivoted between the side-by-side wire coils 102 and 104 and drums 18 and 20 ( FIG. 2 ).
- the second end 22 B of the wire transfer arm 22 opposite the center post 21 is positioned over one of the drums 18 and 20 essentially at the point where the wire 100 exits the drum 18 or 20 .
- the second end 22 B of the wire transfer arm 22 is directly over the center of the drum 18 or 20 .
- the wire feeder 24 is mounted on the center post 21 spaced above the wire transfer arm 22 and the drums 18 and 20 .
- the wire feeder 24 is intended to be essentially permanently mounted on the frame 12 .
- a second wire feeder is mounted on the center post on a side opposite the first wire feeder 24 .
- each wire feeder services a pair of drums and a pair of wire coils.
- the wire feeder 24 has an inlet 24 A through which the wire 100 enters the wire feeder 24 and an outlet 24 B through which the wire 100 exits the wire feeder 24 ( FIGS. 3 to 5 ).
- the wire feeder 24 is similar to wire feeder described in U.S. Pat. No.
- the wire feeder 24 includes a drive gear 34 having a drive roller 34 and a follower gear 36 having a follower roller 38 .
- the diameter of the drive roller 34 and follower roller 38 is less than the diameter of the drive gear 34 and follower gear 36 respectively.
- the drive gear 34 is connected to the power source 26 .
- the drive roller 34 is mounted on a spindle extending from the drive gear 34 .
- the drive gear 34 and follower gear 36 are essentially identical.
- the driver roller and the follower roller 38 are essentially identical.
- the rollers 34 and 38 have grooves (not shown) around the perimeter of the roller to accommodate the wire 100 and to hold the wire 100 in the correct position.
- the follower gear 36 and follower roller 38 are mounted on a bail 40 which can be pivoted into an open, feed position away from the drive gear 34 .
- a handle 42 holds the bail 40 in the closed, operating position. Pivoting the handle 42 unlocks the bail 40 and allows the bail 40 with the follower gear 36 and follower roller 38 to be pivoted to the open, load position ( FIG. 4 ). In the open, load position, the wire 100 can be easily fed from the inlet 24 A to the outlet 24 B above the drive gear 34 adjacent the drive roller 34 or in a groove in the drive roller 34 .
- the bail 40 is moved to the operating or closed position so that the teeth of the drive gear 34 engage the teeth of the follower gear 36 .
- the handle 42 is adjustable so that the bail 40 can be adjusted with regard to the distance between the drive roller 34 and the follower roller 38 to allow for wires of various diameters.
- the power source 26 for the wire feeder 24 is a pneumatic motor.
- the power source 26 for the wire feeder 24 is an electric motor.
- the power source 26 is pneumatic
- the air pressure on the regulator valve of the power source 26 is set at 0 psi.
- the valve between the power source 26 and the wire feeder 24 is slowly opened. As the air pressure to the wire feeder 24 is increased, the wire feeder 24 starts to push the wire 100 .
- the amount of air pressure to pull the wire 100 from the wire coil 102 or 104 and push the wire 100 to the welding site will vary depending on the diameter of the wire 100 , the source or manufacturer of the wire coil 102 or 104 , the type of conduit used for the guide conduits 28 and 30 , the distance between the wire coils 102 and 104 and the wire feeder 24 , the distance between the wire feeder 24 and the welding site and the amount of curves or the straightness of the guide conduits 28 and 30 .
- the amount of air pressure is only enough as necessary to pull and push the wire 100 .
- the wire feeder 24 stalls when the wire 100 is grasped or stopped and resumes movement of the wire 100 when the pressure on the wire 100 is released.
- the power source 26 for the wire feeder 24 provides eleven (11) inch pounds of torque at 60 psi. In another embodiment, the power source 26 provides thirty (30) inch pounds of torque at 60 psi. The size and amount of power provided by the power source 26 for the wire feeder 24 is dependent upon the size or diameter of the wire 100 .
- the guide conduits 28 and 30 of the wire guide system guide the wire 100 from the drums 18 and 20 to the inlet 24 A of the wire feeder 24 and from the outlet 24 B of the wire feeder 24 to the welding site ( FIG. 1 ).
- the guide conduits 28 and 30 include a first guide conduit 28 and a second guide conduit 30 .
- the first and second guide conduits 28 and 30 may be constructed of several individual pieces connected together.
- the first guide conduit 28 extends from the slot 23 in the top 19 of the drum 18 or 20 to the lower guide or inlet 24 A of the wire feeder 24 .
- the first guide conduit 28 is connected to the wire transfer arm 22 which enables the first guide conduit 28 to be moved from the slot 23 in the top 19 of the first drum 18 to the slot 23 in the top 19 of the second drum 20 when the first wire coil 102 is finished or depleted and the second wire coil 104 is started.
- the first guide conduit 28 is connected to the second end 22 B of the wire transfer arm 22 . The connection of the first guide conduit 28 to the second end 22 B of the wire transfer arm 22 moves the first guide conduit 28 away from the center post 21 and allows the wire 100 to be dispensed from essentially a center of the drum 18 or 20 .
- the first end of the first guide conduit 28 is positioned to extend slightly into the first end 23 A of the slot 23 adjacent the center of the drum 18 or 20 .
- Connecting the first guide conduit 28 to the second end 22 B of the wire transfer arm 22 also offsets the first guide conduit 28 from the point where the first guide conduit 28 is connected to the wire feeder 24 .
- Offsetting the first guide conduit 28 at the point where the wire 100 exits the top 19 from the wire feeder 24 and center post 21 provides a camming effect as the wire transfer arm 22 moves between the drums 18 and 20 .
- the camming effect of the offset first guide conduit 28 helps to hold the wire transfer arm 22 in position over each of the drums 18 and 20 .
- the first guide conduit 28 also includes a spring which allows the first guide conduit 28 to be flexible. The spring also helps to keep the wire transfer arm 22 in position over the drums 18 and 20 .
- the first guide conduit 28 is insulated to prevent accidental electrification of the wire transfer arm 22 .
- the second guide conduit 30 extends from the upper guide or outlet 24 B of the wire feeder 24 to the feed rollers (not shown) adjacent the welding site. In one (1) embodiment, the second guide conduit 30 extends a distance between about 10 feet (3048 mm) and 100 feet (30480 mm) from the wire feeder 24 to the rollers adjacent the welding site. In one (1) embodiment, the second guide conduit 30 has bends and curves. It is understood that the guide conduits 28 and 30 act to guide and protect the wire 100 as it moves from the drums 18 and 20 to the welding site. However, it is understood that other means of guiding the wire 100 between the drums 18 and 20 and the welding site may be used.
- the wire feeder 224 is positioned directly on the top 219 of the drum 218 and services a single wire coil 102 ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ).
- the frame 12 is not used.
- the system 210 must be deactivated before the wire coil 102 is replaced.
- the top 219 of the drum 218 has a cone shape with a rounded apex.
- An opening 223 is provided in the apex of the top 219 through which the wire 100 exits the drum 218 .
- the opening 223 in the top 219 has an inlet probe 227 .
- the inlet 224 A of the wire feeder 224 is mounted on the inlet probe 227 which secures the wire feeder 224 on the top 219 of the drum 218 .
- An inlet support disk 227 can also be provided on the top 219 around the opening 223 to help support the wire feeder 224 on the top 219 .
- the starting or first end 102 A of the first wire coil 102 is manually fed into the first guide conduit 28 adjacent the slot 23 of the first drum 18 .
- the wire coils 102 or 104 are essentially identical and either wire coil 102 or 104 can be selected as the beginning or first wire coil 102 .
- the wire 100 is moved through the first guide conduit 28 to the wire feeder 24 .
- the wire 100 is loaded into the wire feeder 24 from the inlet 24 A to the outlet 24 B.
- the bail 40 of the wire feeder 24 is then moved to the closed, operating position.
- the wire feeder 24 is then activated to push the wire 100 through the second guide conduit 30 to the welding site.
- the finish or second end 102 B of the first wire coil 102 is welded to the start or first end 104 A of the second wire coil 104 so that the flow of wire 100 through the system 10 is continuous.
- the frame 12 includes a docking station (not shown) which allows for welding the ends 102 B and 104 A of the first and second wire coils 102 and 104 together.
- the frame 12 includes a bridge which provides support for the ends 102 B and 104 A to extend between the drums 18 and 20 .
- the wire transfer arm 22 automatically moves from over the first drum 18 having the first wire coil 102 to over the second drum 20 having the second wire coil 104 .
- the pull of the wire 100 in the direction of the second drum 20 overcomes the camming force tending to hold the wire transfer arm 22 in position over the first drum 18 .
- the wire 100 is moved in an arc or at an angle along the slots 23 in the tops 19 of the adjacent drums 18 and 20 .
- a new wire coil (not show) is moved into the first drum 18 and the starting end of the new wire coil is welded onto the finishing end or second end of the second wire coil 104 .
- the drum 18 is removed and a new drum having the new wire coil is positioned in the frame 12 adjacent the drum 20 which is currently dispensing the wire 100 .
- the wire 100 is moved to the inlet 24 A of the wire feeder 24 .
- the wire feeder 24 pulls the wire 100 from the first wire coil 102 and pushes the wire 100 through the outlet 24 B of the wire feeder 24 into the second guide conduit 30 toward the welding site.
- the wire 100 moves along the curved inner surface of the top 19 to the slot 23 which reduces friction or drag on the wire 100 and in the system 10 .
- the wire 100 is pushed toward the outside of any curve in the second guide conduit 30 which reduces friction or drag on the wire 100 and in the system 10 .
- the amount of force on the wire 100 acting to push the wire 100 toward the welding site and between the rollers adjacent the welding site is selected so that there is very little drag coefficient on the rollers and no effort on the rollers.
- the amount of force pushing the wire 100 is selected so that there is little or no slippage of the wire 100 between the rollers. Eliminating slippage between the rollers enables constant flow of the wire 100 to the welding site.
- the use of the wire feeder 24 to pull the wire 100 from the wire coil 102 or 104 and push the wire 100 to the rollers enables the rollers to be used to move the wire 100 only a short distance from the rollers to the welding site.
- the wire 100 is moved at a rate of between about 50 to 1200 inches per minute.
- the amount of push force applied by the wire feeder 24 on the wire 100 is such that, if rollers adjacent the welding site stall or stop, the wire feeder 24 stalls, movement of the wire 100 stops and the wire 100 is pushed back toward the wire feeder 24 with a constant load. If the rollers stall or stop moving, the wire feeder 24 keeps a constant load on the wire 100 so that when the rollers begin to move, the wire 100 is moved at a constant and steady rate of flow to the welding site.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Unwinding Of Filamentary Materials (AREA)
Abstract
A wire dispensing system for continuously dispensing wire from wire coils to a welding site. The system includes a wire feeder mounted above the wire coils on a frame and a wire transfer arm which moves between the wire coils as one wire coil is depleted and the other wire coil is started.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/883,258, filed Jan. 3, 2007.
- Not Applicable
- The present invention relates to a wire dispensing system for use with welding wire. In particular, the present invention relates to a wire dispensing system which enables continuous dispensing of wire from a wire coil to a welding site. The present invention also relates to a wire dispensing system which enables movement of the wire through a welding wire guide system where the wire coil is a long distance from the welding site.
- A wire dispensing system for continuous dispensing of wire from wire coils to a welding site. The system enables switching from a depleted wire coil to a new wire coil without having to stop the system or reload the system with the new wire. The system includes a frame and a wire feeder. The frame is used to position the wire coils in a side by side relationship and to mount the wire feeder above the wire coils. In one (1) embodiment, the wire coils are mounted in drums. The drums have a top with a slot which allows for dispensing of the wire from the drums and for automatic switching from one drum to the adjacent drum. The frame also includes a wire transfer arm spaced between the drums and the wire feeder. The wire transfer arm is pivotably mounted so as to be able to pivot from a position over one of the drums to a position over the adjacent drum. The wire transfer arm extends outward from the frame toward the drums and away from the wire feeder. The wire is attached to the wire transfer arm spaced apart from the center post of the frame and the wire feeder. The system can also be provided with guide conduits which extend from the drums to the inlet of the wire feeder and from the outlet of the wire feeder to the welding site. The guide conduits help to protect the wire and to correctly position the wire. The wire from the first coil is fed through the first guide conduit to the wire feeder through the wire feeder to the second guide conduit. The wire feeder is then activated to move the wire through the second guide conduit to the welding site. The wire feeder pulls the wire from the wire coil and pushes the wire to the welding site. The second end of the first wire coil is connected to the first end of the second wire coil. Thus, when the first wire coil is depleted, the wire is automatically dispersed from the second wire coil. As the dispensing of the wire moves from the first wire coil to the second wire coil, the wire pulls on the wire transfer arm and pivots the wire transfer arm from over the first wire coil to over the second wire coil to ensure that the wire continuously moves without interruption to the wire feeder and to the welding site. In a second embodiment, the wire feeder is mounted directly on the top of the drum. In this embodiment, the top has a cone shape with an opening in the apex of the cone.
- The present invention relates to a weld wire dispensing system for continuously feeding wire from wire coils to a welding site, which comprises a frame for positioning the wire coils and a wire feeder mounted on the frame and spaced apart from the wire coils for pulling wire from the wire coils and pushing wire to the welding site.
- Further, the present invention relates to a wire dispensing system for continuously moving wire to a welding site, which comprises a first wire coil having a first end and a second end, a second wire coil having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the second wire coil is configured to be connected to the second end of the first wire coil, and a wire feeder spaced apart from the first and second wire coils and configured to receive wire from the first or second wire coil wherein in operation the wire feeder pulls the wire from the first or second wire coil and pushes the wire to the welding site.
- Still further, the present invention relates to a wire dispensing system for continuously dispensing wire from wire coils to a welding site, which comprises a pair of drums, each drum configured to hold one wire coil, a frame for positioning the drums in a side-by-side arrangement having a center post positioned between the drums and extending upward beyond a top of the drums, a wire feeder mounted on the center post above the top of the drums, a first guide conduit extending between the top of the drums and the wire feeder, and a second guide conduit extending from the wire feeder toward the welding site, wherein the wire feeder pulls the wire through the first guide conduit and pushes the wire through the second guide conduit to the welding site.
- Further still, the present invention relates to a system for feeding wire from a wire coil to a welding site which comprises a drum for holding the wire coil having a top with an opening and a wire feeder mounted on the top of the drum adjacent the opening for pulling wire from the wire coil out of the drum and pushing the wire to the welding site.
- Still further, the present invention relates to a method for continuously providing welding wire to a welding site, which comprises the steps of providing at least two wire coils, providing a wire feeder, feeding the wire from one of the wire coils through the wire feeder to the welding site, activating the wire feeder so that the wire feeder pulls wire from one of the wire coils and pushes the wire to the welding site, connecting an end wire from one of the wire coils to a start wire of the other one of the wire coils, and switching from one of the wire coils to the other of the wire coils when one of the wire coils is depleted, wherein as the wire is dispensed from one of the wire coils and the end wire of the wire coil is reached, the wire feeder continues to pull on the wire so that the start wire of the other one of the wire coils is moved through the wire feeder so that the wire is provided from the other one of the wire coils and wire is continuously provided to the welding site.
- The substance and advantages of the present invention will become increasingly apparent by reference to the following drawings and the description.
-
FIG. 1 is side view of thewire dispensing system 10 of the present invention showing theframe 12, thewire feeder 24 and thedrum 20. -
FIG. 2 is a front view of thewire dispensing system 10 showing thedrums frame 12 and thewire feeder 24. -
FIG. 2A is a schematic top view showing theslots 23 in thetops 19 of thedrums -
FIG. 3 is a top view of thewire feeder 24 in the operating position with thewire 100 loaded through thewire feeder 24. -
FIG. 4 is a top view of thewire feeder 24 without thedrive roller 24 and thefollower roller 38 showing thehandle 42 in the open locked position with thehandle 42 in the closed, unlocked position in phantom. -
FIG. 5 is a top view of thewire feeder 24 without thedrive roller 24 and thefollower roller 38 with thebail 40 in the open, load position. -
FIG. 6 is a front view of thedrum 218 and top 219 of a second embodiment of thewire dispensing system 210. -
FIG. 7 is a front, partial view of thetop 219 of thedrum 218 of the second embodiment showing thewire feeder 224 mounted on theinlet probe 227. - All patents, patent applications, government publications, government regulations, and literature references cited in this specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present description, including definitions, will control.
-
FIGS. 1 and 2 show thewire dispensing system 10 of the present invention. Thewire dispensing system 10 enables continuous dispensing ofwelding wire 100 fromwire coils wire dispensing system 10 includes aframe 12, awire transfer arm 22, awire feeder 24, andguide conduits system 10 also includesdrums wire coils system 10 may be used with or without a container for thewire coils wire coils frame 12 allows for positioning a pair ofwire coils second drums frame 12 includeshorizontal side arms 14 and acenter arm 16 which form side-by-side stalls or openings which enable thewire coils center arm 16 positioned between thewire coils frame 12 includes avertical center post 21 which extends upward beyond the top end of thedrums vertical center post 21 is positioned between thedrums frame 12 is constructed of aluminum. However, it is understood that theframe 12 can be constructed of any durable material. - Each of the
drums dome 19 positioned on the open, top end of each of thedrums tops 19 are essentially identical. In one (1) embodiment, thetops 19 have a rounded shape. In one (1) embodiment, thetop 19 is plastic. In one (1) embodiment, the outer edge of thetop 19 has a shape similar to the shape of thedrum drum slot 23 having first and second ends 23A and 23B (FIG. 2A ). Thefirst end 23A of theslot 23 is adjacent the center of the top 19 and thedrum second end 23B of theslot 23 is adjacent the outside edge or rim of the top 19 and thedrum slot 23 from the center to the edge is arcuate similar to the path of thesecond end 22B of thewire transfer arm 22 as thetransfer arm 22 moves from over thefirst drum 18 to over thesecond drum 20. In one (1) embodiment, theslot 23 extends from the center of thedrum 18 in a direction toward theadjacent drum 20 and away from thecenter post 21. In one (1) embodiment, theslots 23 are a straight line from the center of thedrum drums slots 23 of the tops 19 of eachadjacent drum slots 23 adjacent the edges of thedrums - A
wire transfer arm 22 is pivotably mounted on thecenter post 21 spaced apart from and above thedrums wire transfer arm 22 has opposed first and second ends 22A and 22B with thefirst end 22A pivotably mounted on thecenter post 21. In one (1) embodiment, thewire transfer arm 22 is essentially perpendicular to thecenter post 21 and extends outward from thecenter post 21 in a direction essentially toward thedrums wire transfer arm 22 is able to be pivoted between the side-by-side wire coils 102 and 104 anddrums 18 and 20 (FIG. 2 ). Thesecond end 22B of thewire transfer arm 22 opposite thecenter post 21 is positioned over one of thedrums wire 100 exits thedrum second end 22B of thewire transfer arm 22 is directly over the center of thedrum - The
wire feeder 24 is mounted on thecenter post 21 spaced above thewire transfer arm 22 and thedrums wire feeder 24 is intended to be essentially permanently mounted on theframe 12. In one (1) embodiment, where the frame is used to position four (4) drums, a second wire feeder is mounted on the center post on a side opposite thefirst wire feeder 24. In this embodiment, each wire feeder services a pair of drums and a pair of wire coils. Thewire feeder 24 has aninlet 24A through which thewire 100 enters thewire feeder 24 and anoutlet 24B through which thewire 100 exits the wire feeder 24 (FIGS. 3 to 5 ). In one (1) embodiment thewire feeder 24 is similar to wire feeder described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,748 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, it is understood that any device for movingwire 100 can be used. In one (1) embodiment, thewire feeder 24 includes adrive gear 34 having adrive roller 34 and afollower gear 36 having afollower roller 38. The diameter of thedrive roller 34 andfollower roller 38 is less than the diameter of thedrive gear 34 andfollower gear 36 respectively. Thedrive gear 34 is connected to thepower source 26. Thedrive roller 34 is mounted on a spindle extending from thedrive gear 34. In one (1) embodiment, thedrive gear 34 andfollower gear 36 are essentially identical. In one (1) embodiment, the driver roller and thefollower roller 38 are essentially identical. Therollers wire 100 and to hold thewire 100 in the correct position. Thefollower gear 36 andfollower roller 38 are mounted on abail 40 which can be pivoted into an open, feed position away from thedrive gear 34. Ahandle 42 holds thebail 40 in the closed, operating position. Pivoting thehandle 42 unlocks thebail 40 and allows thebail 40 with thefollower gear 36 andfollower roller 38 to be pivoted to the open, load position (FIG. 4 ). In the open, load position, thewire 100 can be easily fed from theinlet 24A to theoutlet 24B above thedrive gear 34 adjacent thedrive roller 34 or in a groove in thedrive roller 34. After thewire 100 is fed through thewire feeder 24, thebail 40 is moved to the operating or closed position so that the teeth of thedrive gear 34 engage the teeth of thefollower gear 36. In one (1) embodiment, thehandle 42 is adjustable so that thebail 40 can be adjusted with regard to the distance between thedrive roller 34 and thefollower roller 38 to allow for wires of various diameters. In use, when thepower source 26 is activated, thedrive gear 34 and driveroller 34 are rotated in a first direction which rotates thefollower gear 36 andfollower roller 38 in the opposite direction. Theoppositely turning rollers wire 100 and move thewire 100 from theinlet 24A to theoutlet 24B. In one (1) embodiment, thepower source 26 for thewire feeder 24 is a pneumatic motor. In another embodiment, thepower source 26 for thewire feeder 24 is an electric motor. In the embodiment where thepower source 26 is pneumatic, after thewire 100 is fed through thefeed device 24 and thebail 40 is moved to the closed, operating position, the air pressure on the regulator valve of thepower source 26 is set at 0 psi. Next, the valve between thepower source 26 and thewire feeder 24 is slowly opened. As the air pressure to thewire feeder 24 is increased, thewire feeder 24 starts to push thewire 100. The amount of air pressure to pull thewire 100 from thewire coil wire 100 to the welding site will vary depending on the diameter of thewire 100, the source or manufacturer of thewire coil guide conduits wire feeder 24, the distance between thewire feeder 24 and the welding site and the amount of curves or the straightness of theguide conduits wire 100. When set correctly, thewire feeder 24 stalls when thewire 100 is grasped or stopped and resumes movement of thewire 100 when the pressure on thewire 100 is released. In one (1) embodiment, thepower source 26 for thewire feeder 24 provides eleven (11) inch pounds of torque at 60 psi. In another embodiment, thepower source 26 provides thirty (30) inch pounds of torque at 60 psi. The size and amount of power provided by thepower source 26 for thewire feeder 24 is dependent upon the size or diameter of thewire 100. - The
guide conduits wire 100 from thedrums inlet 24A of thewire feeder 24 and from theoutlet 24B of thewire feeder 24 to the welding site (FIG. 1 ). In one (1) embodiment, theguide conduits first guide conduit 28 and asecond guide conduit 30. The first andsecond guide conduits first guide conduit 28 extends from theslot 23 in the top 19 of thedrum inlet 24A of thewire feeder 24. In one (1) embodiment, thefirst guide conduit 28 is connected to thewire transfer arm 22 which enables thefirst guide conduit 28 to be moved from theslot 23 in the top 19 of thefirst drum 18 to theslot 23 in the top 19 of thesecond drum 20 when thefirst wire coil 102 is finished or depleted and thesecond wire coil 104 is started. In one (1) embodiment, thefirst guide conduit 28 is connected to thesecond end 22B of thewire transfer arm 22. The connection of thefirst guide conduit 28 to thesecond end 22B of thewire transfer arm 22 moves thefirst guide conduit 28 away from thecenter post 21 and allows thewire 100 to be dispensed from essentially a center of thedrum first guide conduit 28 is positioned to extend slightly into thefirst end 23A of theslot 23 adjacent the center of thedrum first guide conduit 28 to thesecond end 22B of thewire transfer arm 22 also offsets thefirst guide conduit 28 from the point where thefirst guide conduit 28 is connected to thewire feeder 24. Offsetting thefirst guide conduit 28 at the point where thewire 100 exits the top 19 from thewire feeder 24 and center post 21 provides a camming effect as thewire transfer arm 22 moves between thedrums first guide conduit 28 helps to hold thewire transfer arm 22 in position over each of thedrums first guide conduit 28 also includes a spring which allows thefirst guide conduit 28 to be flexible. The spring also helps to keep thewire transfer arm 22 in position over thedrums first guide conduit 28 is insulated to prevent accidental electrification of thewire transfer arm 22. Thesecond guide conduit 30 extends from the upper guide oroutlet 24B of thewire feeder 24 to the feed rollers (not shown) adjacent the welding site. In one (1) embodiment, thesecond guide conduit 30 extends a distance between about 10 feet (3048 mm) and 100 feet (30480 mm) from thewire feeder 24 to the rollers adjacent the welding site. In one (1) embodiment, thesecond guide conduit 30 has bends and curves. It is understood that theguide conduits wire 100 as it moves from thedrums wire 100 between thedrums - In a second embodiment of the
wire dispensing system 210, thewire feeder 224 is positioned directly on the top 219 of thedrum 218 and services a single wire coil 102 (FIGS. 6 and 7 ). In this embodiment, theframe 12 is not used. In addition, in this embodiment, thesystem 210 must be deactivated before thewire coil 102 is replaced. In this embodiment, the top 219 of thedrum 218 has a cone shape with a rounded apex. Anopening 223 is provided in the apex of the top 219 through which thewire 100 exits thedrum 218. Theopening 223 in the top 219 has aninlet probe 227. Theinlet 224A of thewire feeder 224 is mounted on theinlet probe 227 which secures thewire feeder 224 on the top 219 of thedrum 218. Aninlet support disk 227 can also be provided on the top 219 around theopening 223 to help support thewire feeder 224 on the top 219. - To use the
wire dispensing system 10, the starting orfirst end 102A of thefirst wire coil 102 is manually fed into thefirst guide conduit 28 adjacent theslot 23 of thefirst drum 18. It is understood that the wire coils 102 or 104 are essentially identical and eitherwire coil first wire coil 102. Thewire 100 is moved through thefirst guide conduit 28 to thewire feeder 24. Thewire 100 is loaded into thewire feeder 24 from theinlet 24A to theoutlet 24B. Thebail 40 of thewire feeder 24 is then moved to the closed, operating position. Thewire feeder 24 is then activated to push thewire 100 through thesecond guide conduit 30 to the welding site. The finish orsecond end 102B of thefirst wire coil 102 is welded to the start orfirst end 104A of thesecond wire coil 104 so that the flow ofwire 100 through thesystem 10 is continuous. In one (1) embodiment, theframe 12 includes a docking station (not shown) which allows for welding theends frame 12 includes a bridge which provides support for theends drums first wire coil 102 is finished or depleted, thewire 100 from thesecond wire coil 104 is automatically fed into thewire dispensing system 10. In one (1) embodiment, as thefirst wire coil 102 is depleted and thewire 100 is dispensed from thesecond end 102B of thefirst wire coil 102 to the beginning orfirst end 104A of thesecond wire coil 104, thewire transfer arm 22 automatically moves from over thefirst drum 18 having thefirst wire coil 102 to over thesecond drum 20 having thesecond wire coil 104. The pull of thewire 100 in the direction of thesecond drum 20 overcomes the camming force tending to hold thewire transfer arm 22 in position over thefirst drum 18. As thewire transfer arm 22 moves, thewire 100 is moved in an arc or at an angle along theslots 23 in the tops 19 of theadjacent drums wire 100 is drawn from thesecond wire coil 104, a new wire coil (not show) is moved into thefirst drum 18 and the starting end of the new wire coil is welded onto the finishing end or second end of thesecond wire coil 104. In an alternate embodiment, thedrum 18 is removed and a new drum having the new wire coil is positioned in theframe 12 adjacent thedrum 20 which is currently dispensing thewire 100. - After the
wire 100 exits thedrum wire 100 is moved to theinlet 24A of thewire feeder 24. Once thewire 100 is initially fed into thewire feeder 24, thewire feeder 24 pulls thewire 100 from thefirst wire coil 102 and pushes thewire 100 through theoutlet 24B of thewire feeder 24 into thesecond guide conduit 30 toward the welding site. As thewire 100 is pulled from thefirst wire coil 102, thewire 100 moves along the curved inner surface of the top 19 to theslot 23 which reduces friction or drag on thewire 100 and in thesystem 10. As thewire 100 is pushed through thesecond guide conduit 30, thewire 100 is pushed toward the outside of any curve in thesecond guide conduit 30 which reduces friction or drag on thewire 100 and in thesystem 10. The amount of force on thewire 100 acting to push thewire 100 toward the welding site and between the rollers adjacent the welding site is selected so that there is very little drag coefficient on the rollers and no effort on the rollers. The amount of force pushing thewire 100 is selected so that there is little or no slippage of thewire 100 between the rollers. Eliminating slippage between the rollers enables constant flow of thewire 100 to the welding site. The use of thewire feeder 24 to pull thewire 100 from thewire coil wire 100 to the rollers enables the rollers to be used to move thewire 100 only a short distance from the rollers to the welding site. In one (1) embodiment, thewire 100 is moved at a rate of between about 50 to 1200 inches per minute. In one (1) embodiment, the amount of push force applied by thewire feeder 24 on thewire 100 is such that, if rollers adjacent the welding site stall or stop, thewire feeder 24 stalls, movement of thewire 100 stops and thewire 100 is pushed back toward thewire feeder 24 with a constant load. If the rollers stall or stop moving, thewire feeder 24 keeps a constant load on thewire 100 so that when the rollers begin to move, thewire 100 is moved at a constant and steady rate of flow to the welding site. - It is intended that the foregoing description be only illustrative of the present invention and that the present invention be limited only by the hereinafter appended claims.
Claims (33)
1. A weld wire dispensing system for continuously feeding wire from wire coils to a welding site, which comprises:
a) a frame for positioning the wire coils; and
b) a wire feeder mounted on the frame and spaced apart from the wire coils for pulling wire from the wire coils and pushing wire to the welding site.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the frame has a center post configured to be positioned between the wire coils and wherein the wire feeder is mounted on the center post.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the frame has a wire transfer arm configured to be positioned between the wire coils and the wire feeder and wherein the wire transfer arm is configured to pivot from a position adjacent one of the wire coils to a position adjacent another one of the wire coils.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein a wire transfer arm is pivotably mounted on the center post between the wire coils and the wire feeder and wherein when the wire coils are positioned in the frame, the wire transfer arm is configured to pivot from a position adjacent one of the wire coils to a position adjacent another one of the wire coils.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the wire transfer arm extends outward from the center post in a direction towards the wire coils, wherein a guide conduit for guiding the wire extends between the wire coils and the wire feeder, wherein the guide conduit is attached to the wire transfer arm spaced apart from the center post and wherein the positioning of the guide conduit on the wire transfer arm automatically pivots the wire transfer arm from adjacent one of the wire coils to adjacent the other one of the wire coils when one of the wire coils is depleted and the wire is provided from the other one of the wire coils.
6. The system of claim 3 wherein a guide conduit having opposed ends and configured to house the wire is connected to the wire transfer arm, wherein one end of the guide conduit is adjacent the wire feeder and the other end of the guide conduit is adjacent one of the wire coils and wherein when the one of the wire coils is depleted, the wire transfer arm pivots to move the other end of the guide conduit adjacent another one of the wire coils.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the frame includes drums for containing the wire coils, wherein the drums have tops and wherein the tops of the drums have slots.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the wire feeder moves the wire to the welding site at a constant rate.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein a power source for the wire feeder is a hydraulic motor.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein a power source for the wire feeder is an electric motor.
11. A wire dispensing system for continuously moving wire to a welding site, which comprises:
a) a first wire coil having a first end and a second end;
b) a second wire coil having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the second wire coil is configured to be connected to the second end of the first wire coil; and
c) a wire feeder spaced apart from the first and second wire coils and configured to receive wire from the first or second wire coil wherein in operation the wire feeder pulls the wire from the first or second wire coil and pushes the wire to the welding site.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first and second wire coils are held in position by a frame and wherein the wire feeder is mounted on the frame positioned between the first and second wire coils.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein a wire transfer arm is pivotably mounted on the frame and is configured to move between the first and second wire coils.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the wire transfer arm is positioned between the wire coil and the wire feeder.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the wire transfer arm is configured to be connected to the wire and guide the wire to the wire feeder, wherein the wire extends from the first wire coil to the wire transfer arm to and through the wire feeder to the welding site and wherein when the first wire coil is depleted, the wire transfer arm pivots so that the wire extends from the second wire coil to the wire transfer arm to and through the wire feeder to the welding site.
16. The system of claim 14 wherein a guide conduit having opposing ends and configured to receive the wire is connected to the wire transfer arm, wherein one end of the guide conduit is adjacent the wire feeder and the other end of the guide conduit is adjacent the first wire coil and wherein when the first wire coil is depleted, the wire transfer arm pivots to move the other end of the guide conduit adjacent the second wire coil.
17. The system of claim 11 wherein the first and second wire coils are positioned in first and second drums, wherein the first and second drums have tops with slots.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the tops of the drums are curved so that when the wire is moved from the drums, the wire moves along a curved inner surface of the tops which reduces friction on the wire.
19. The system of claim 17 wherein the first end of the second wire coil extends out of the second drum through the slot in the top, wherein the second end of the first wire coil extends out of the first drum through the slot in the top and wherein the first wire coil and the second wire coil are connected together at a point between the first and second drums.
20. A wire dispensing system for continuously dispensing wire from wire coils to a welding site, which comprises
a) a pair of drums, each drum configured to hold one wire coil;
b) a frame for positioning the drums in a side-by-side arrangement having a center post positioned between the drums and extending upward beyond a top of the drums;
c) a wire feeder mounted on the center post above the top of the drums;
d) a first guide conduit extending between the top of the drums and the wire feeder; and
e) a second guide conduit extending from the wire feeder toward the welding site, wherein the wire feeder pulls the wire through the first guide conduit and pushes the wire through the second guide conduit to the welding site.
21. The system of claim 20 wherein the wire feeder has an inlet guide and an outlet guide, wherein the first guide conduit is connected to the inlet guide of the wire feeder and extends toward the drums and wherein the second guide conduit is connected to the outlet guide of the wire feeder and extends toward the welding site.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein a wire transfer arm is pivotably mounted on the frame between the wire feeder and the drums, wherein the first guide conduit has opposed first and second ends with the first end connected to the inlet guide of the wire feeder, wherein the first guide conduit is attached to the wire transfer arm and wherein the wire transfer arm moves the second end of the first guide conduit from adjacent one drum to adjacent the other drum when the wire coil in the one drum is depleted and the wire is provided from the other drum.
23. A system for feeding wire from a wire coil to a welding site which comprises:
a) a drum for holding the wire coil having a top with an opening; and
b) a wire feeder mounted on the top of the drum adjacent the opening for pulling wire from the wire coil out of the drum and pushing the wire to the welding site.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein the top of the drum has a cone shape having a rounded apex, and wherein the opening is in the apex of the top.
25. The system of claim 24 wherein the wire feeder has an inlet and an outlet and wherein the inlet of the wire feeder is positioned over the opening in the top.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein a support disk is provided adjacent the opening for supporting the wire feeder.
27. The system of claim 25 wherein the opening has an inlet probe and wherein the inlet of the wire feeder is secured on the inlet probe to position the wire feeder on the top of the drum and wherein wire from the wire coil extends through the inlet probe into the inlet of the wire feeder and out the outlet of the wire feeder to the welding site.
28. A method for continuously providing welding wire to a welding site, which comprises the steps of:
a) providing at least two wire coils;
b) providing a wire feeder;
c) feeding the wire from one of the wire coils through the wire feeder to the welding site;
d) activating the wire feeder so that the wire feeder pulls wire from one of the wire coils and pushes the wire to the welding site;
e) connecting an end wire from one of the wire coils to a start wire of the other one of the wire coils; and
f) switching from one of the wire coils to the other of the wire coils when one of the wire coils is depleted, wherein as the wire is dispensed from one of the wire coils and the end wire of the wire coil is reached, the wire feeder continues to pull on the wire so that the start wire of the other one of the wire coils is moved through the wire feeder so that the wire is provided from the other one of the wire coils and wire is continuously provided to the welding site.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein a wire transfer arm is positioned between the wire coils and the wire feeder, wherein the wire transfer arm guides the wire from the wire coil to the wire feeder, wherein before step (f), the wire transfer arm is adjacent one of the wire coils, and wherein in step (f), when the wire from one of the wire coils reaches the end wire, the wire transfer arm pivots to adjacent the other one of the wire coils.
30. The method of claim 28 wherein in step (f), when one of the wire coils is depleted, a new wire coil is added and steps (e) and (f) are repeated to connect an end wire from the other one of the wire coils to a start wire of the new wire coil and to move the wire from the new wire coil when the other one of the wire coils is depleted.
31. The method of claim 28 wherein a guide conduit is provided between the wire feeder and the welding site, wherein the guide conduit has curves and wherein in step (d), when the wire feeder pushes the wire to the welding site, the wire is pushed toward an outside of the curves to reduce friction on the wire.
32. The method of claim 28 wherein in step (d), when the wire stops, the wire feeder stalls and stops pushing the wire.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein in step (d), when the wire begins moving, the wire feeder automatically activates to push the wire to the welding site.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/965,813 US20080156925A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-12-28 | Wire Dispensing System |
US12/631,294 US20100072317A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2009-12-04 | Wire dispensing system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US88325807P | 2007-01-03 | 2007-01-03 | |
US11/965,813 US20080156925A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-12-28 | Wire Dispensing System |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/631,294 Division US20100072317A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2009-12-04 | Wire dispensing system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080156925A1 true US20080156925A1 (en) | 2008-07-03 |
Family
ID=39580570
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/965,813 Abandoned US20080156925A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-12-28 | Wire Dispensing System |
US12/631,294 Abandoned US20100072317A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2009-12-04 | Wire dispensing system |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/631,294 Abandoned US20100072317A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2009-12-04 | Wire dispensing system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20080156925A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2616710A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008085761A1 (en) |
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2174741A1 (en) | 2008-10-07 | 2010-04-14 | SIDERGAS Spa | Cover for welding wire container |
US8127923B2 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2012-03-06 | Sidergas Spa | Container for welding wire |
US8389901B1 (en) | 2010-05-27 | 2013-03-05 | Awds Technologies Srl | Welding wire guiding liner |
US8453960B2 (en) | 2008-05-27 | 2013-06-04 | Awds Technologies Srl | Wire guiding system |
US8674263B2 (en) | 2009-07-20 | 2014-03-18 | Awds Technologies Srl | Wire guiding liner, in particular a welding wire liner, with biasing means between articulated guiding bodies |
US8882018B2 (en) | 2011-12-19 | 2014-11-11 | Sidergas Spa | Retainer for welding wire container and welding wire container with retainer |
US20150076213A1 (en) * | 2013-09-19 | 2015-03-19 | Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki | Robot |
US9950857B1 (en) | 2016-10-17 | 2018-04-24 | Sidergas Spa | Welding wire container |
US9975728B2 (en) | 2015-09-10 | 2018-05-22 | Sidergas Spa | Wire container lid, wire container and wire feeding system |
US10010962B1 (en) | 2014-09-09 | 2018-07-03 | Awds Technologies Srl | Module and system for controlling and recording welding data, and welding wire feeder |
US10059561B2 (en) | 2014-08-06 | 2018-08-28 | Alcotec Wire Corporation | Floating feed assist unit for the payoff of bulk packaged welding wire |
US10294065B2 (en) | 2013-06-06 | 2019-05-21 | Sidergas Spa | Retainer for a welding wire container and welding wire container |
US10343231B2 (en) | 2014-05-28 | 2019-07-09 | Awds Technologies Srl | Wire feeding system |
US10350696B2 (en) | 2015-04-06 | 2019-07-16 | Awds Technologies Srl | Wire feed system and method of controlling feed of welding wire |
USD914071S1 (en) | 2018-11-02 | 2021-03-23 | Esab Ab | Welding device enclosure |
CN112743201A (en) * | 2020-12-29 | 2021-05-04 | 南京晨光集团有限责任公司 | Double-wire-disc linkage wire feeder |
US11174121B2 (en) | 2020-01-20 | 2021-11-16 | Awds Technologies Srl | Device for imparting a torsional force onto a wire |
US11278981B2 (en) | 2020-01-20 | 2022-03-22 | Awds Technologies Srl | Device for imparting a torsional force onto a wire |
CN118123189A (en) * | 2024-05-07 | 2024-06-04 | 广东博盈特焊技术股份有限公司 | Welding device and method for argon arc welding butt joint of surfacing pipe |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9421633B2 (en) | 2012-10-09 | 2016-08-23 | Lincoln Global, Inc. | Bulk wire delivery system |
EP3375559A1 (en) | 2014-11-07 | 2018-09-19 | The Esab Group, Inc. | Multifunction wire feeder for a portable welding system |
CN105752769B (en) * | 2016-04-26 | 2017-11-17 | 长飞光纤光缆股份有限公司 | A kind of low stress optical cable take-up and pay-off device |
CN109702285B (en) * | 2017-10-25 | 2021-07-16 | 宝山钢铁股份有限公司 | Welding wire feeding device |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2360741A (en) * | 1941-10-01 | 1944-10-17 | American Steel & Wire Co | Wire distributor for wire-drawing machines |
US2774548A (en) * | 1953-02-04 | 1956-12-18 | Western Electric Co | Wire payoff apparatus |
US2784921A (en) * | 1954-04-02 | 1957-03-12 | United States Steel Corp | Pay-off mechanism for dead reels |
US2942802A (en) * | 1955-08-30 | 1960-06-28 | Western Electric Co | Transfer device for guiding strand as it is continuously unwound from spools |
US4388952A (en) * | 1981-01-15 | 1983-06-21 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Coil winding apparatus |
US5277314A (en) * | 1991-06-18 | 1994-01-11 | The Lincoln Electric Company | Retainer ring for welding wire container disclosure |
US5971308A (en) * | 1998-03-04 | 1999-10-26 | National-Standard Company | Wire transfer assembly |
US6286748B1 (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2001-09-11 | Elco Enterprises, Inc. | Welding wire feeder |
US7041932B2 (en) * | 2003-05-30 | 2006-05-09 | Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Apparatus and method for supplying a continuous source of wire |
US20060249611A1 (en) * | 2005-05-03 | 2006-11-09 | Lincoln Global, Inc. | Endless wire container and method of using the same |
US20060260965A1 (en) * | 2005-04-21 | 2006-11-23 | Carlo Gelmetti | Cover for a welding wire container |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS60151677U (en) * | 1984-03-13 | 1985-10-08 | 大同特殊鋼株式会社 | Endless pack wire pulling device |
JPH05185232A (en) * | 1992-01-14 | 1993-07-27 | Nippon Steel Weld Prod & Eng Co Ltd | Wire for welding incorporated in pail-pack |
JP3563190B2 (en) * | 1996-02-23 | 2004-09-08 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Wire drawing device |
US5758834A (en) * | 1996-08-20 | 1998-06-02 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Welding wire storage and shipping container |
SE517147C2 (en) * | 2001-05-18 | 2002-04-23 | Esab Ab | Device for welding wire feed, wire orientation runner, method and use |
JP2004216453A (en) * | 2002-12-27 | 2004-08-05 | Matsumoto Kikai Kk | Welding wire feeding device |
US7449660B2 (en) * | 2004-12-17 | 2008-11-11 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Portable wire feed system for a welder |
US20070175965A1 (en) * | 2006-02-02 | 2007-08-02 | Lincoln Global, Inc. | System and method of providing endless welding wire |
-
2007
- 2007-12-28 US US11/965,813 patent/US20080156925A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-12-28 WO PCT/US2007/089004 patent/WO2008085761A1/en active Application Filing
- 2007-12-31 CA CA002616710A patent/CA2616710A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2009
- 2009-12-04 US US12/631,294 patent/US20100072317A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2360741A (en) * | 1941-10-01 | 1944-10-17 | American Steel & Wire Co | Wire distributor for wire-drawing machines |
US2774548A (en) * | 1953-02-04 | 1956-12-18 | Western Electric Co | Wire payoff apparatus |
US2784921A (en) * | 1954-04-02 | 1957-03-12 | United States Steel Corp | Pay-off mechanism for dead reels |
US2942802A (en) * | 1955-08-30 | 1960-06-28 | Western Electric Co | Transfer device for guiding strand as it is continuously unwound from spools |
US4388952A (en) * | 1981-01-15 | 1983-06-21 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Coil winding apparatus |
US5277314A (en) * | 1991-06-18 | 1994-01-11 | The Lincoln Electric Company | Retainer ring for welding wire container disclosure |
US5971308A (en) * | 1998-03-04 | 1999-10-26 | National-Standard Company | Wire transfer assembly |
US6286748B1 (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2001-09-11 | Elco Enterprises, Inc. | Welding wire feeder |
US7041932B2 (en) * | 2003-05-30 | 2006-05-09 | Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Apparatus and method for supplying a continuous source of wire |
US20060260965A1 (en) * | 2005-04-21 | 2006-11-23 | Carlo Gelmetti | Cover for a welding wire container |
US20060249611A1 (en) * | 2005-05-03 | 2006-11-09 | Lincoln Global, Inc. | Endless wire container and method of using the same |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8453960B2 (en) | 2008-05-27 | 2013-06-04 | Awds Technologies Srl | Wire guiding system |
US8668086B2 (en) | 2008-10-07 | 2014-03-11 | Sidergas Spa | Cover for welding wire container |
EP2174741A1 (en) | 2008-10-07 | 2010-04-14 | SIDERGAS Spa | Cover for welding wire container |
US8674263B2 (en) | 2009-07-20 | 2014-03-18 | Awds Technologies Srl | Wire guiding liner, in particular a welding wire liner, with biasing means between articulated guiding bodies |
US8127923B2 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2012-03-06 | Sidergas Spa | Container for welding wire |
US8389901B1 (en) | 2010-05-27 | 2013-03-05 | Awds Technologies Srl | Welding wire guiding liner |
US8882018B2 (en) | 2011-12-19 | 2014-11-11 | Sidergas Spa | Retainer for welding wire container and welding wire container with retainer |
US10294065B2 (en) | 2013-06-06 | 2019-05-21 | Sidergas Spa | Retainer for a welding wire container and welding wire container |
US10596664B2 (en) * | 2013-09-19 | 2020-03-24 | Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki | Robot |
US20150076213A1 (en) * | 2013-09-19 | 2015-03-19 | Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki | Robot |
US10343231B2 (en) | 2014-05-28 | 2019-07-09 | Awds Technologies Srl | Wire feeding system |
US10059561B2 (en) | 2014-08-06 | 2018-08-28 | Alcotec Wire Corporation | Floating feed assist unit for the payoff of bulk packaged welding wire |
US10010962B1 (en) | 2014-09-09 | 2018-07-03 | Awds Technologies Srl | Module and system for controlling and recording welding data, and welding wire feeder |
US10350696B2 (en) | 2015-04-06 | 2019-07-16 | Awds Technologies Srl | Wire feed system and method of controlling feed of welding wire |
US9975728B2 (en) | 2015-09-10 | 2018-05-22 | Sidergas Spa | Wire container lid, wire container and wire feeding system |
US9950857B1 (en) | 2016-10-17 | 2018-04-24 | Sidergas Spa | Welding wire container |
USD914071S1 (en) | 2018-11-02 | 2021-03-23 | Esab Ab | Welding device enclosure |
US11174121B2 (en) | 2020-01-20 | 2021-11-16 | Awds Technologies Srl | Device for imparting a torsional force onto a wire |
US11278981B2 (en) | 2020-01-20 | 2022-03-22 | Awds Technologies Srl | Device for imparting a torsional force onto a wire |
CN112743201A (en) * | 2020-12-29 | 2021-05-04 | 南京晨光集团有限责任公司 | Double-wire-disc linkage wire feeder |
CN118123189A (en) * | 2024-05-07 | 2024-06-04 | 广东博盈特焊技术股份有限公司 | Welding device and method for argon arc welding butt joint of surfacing pipe |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20100072317A1 (en) | 2010-03-25 |
CA2616710A1 (en) | 2008-07-03 |
WO2008085761A1 (en) | 2008-07-17 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20080156925A1 (en) | Wire Dispensing System | |
US8839837B2 (en) | Device and method for optical cable installation | |
US6637064B2 (en) | Drain cleaning apparatus with remotely adjustable feed control | |
CN104203476B (en) | Wire feed unit with the seal wire part for possessing the elongated guiding face being spaced apart | |
US4938009A (en) | Automatic package strapping machine | |
CN205346536U (en) | A cladding device that is used for cladding heat preservation felt on oil pipe | |
JP6014703B2 (en) | Wire processing device for cutting glazing panel of vehicle | |
US3162394A (en) | Strap dispenser | |
US4610408A (en) | Strip feed mechanism | |
CN110817513A (en) | Automatic strip winding machine | |
KR101632850B1 (en) | Ring-shaped Core Winding Machine | |
AU2008222597B2 (en) | An apparatus for use in advancing a cable through a conduit | |
US5404900A (en) | Super reel | |
JP2015519272A (en) | Support device for long objects | |
AU2020201050A1 (en) | Binding machine | |
US5938100A (en) | Mechanism for transporting the leading end of a staple wire from a supply roll to a stapling device for sheet stacks | |
US10781069B1 (en) | Turntable pay-out organizer for coils and spools | |
US4304370A (en) | Strip feed mechanism | |
CN106275561A (en) | A kind of tubing packaging container for automatic coiling machine | |
RU2593897C2 (en) | Clamping assembly and installation of wire ties, containing plurality of said clamping assemblies | |
CN107262576B (en) | A kind of pole is red to rush equipment | |
US20220289513A1 (en) | Speed adjusting cable assembly for use with a cable feeder | |
CN114590635A (en) | Pay-off device for laying power transmission line | |
CN208531898U (en) | A kind of after-combustion unit of tubing | |
CN217533552U (en) | Hose winding mechanism |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ELCO ENTERPRISES, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:COOPER, EDWARD L;REEL/FRAME:020297/0105 Effective date: 20071227 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |