US 11,964,346 B2
Dual wire welding or additive manufacturing system and method
Matthew A. Weeks, Walloon (AU); Steven R. Peters, Huntsburg, OH (US); and Bruce J. Chantry, Solon, OH (US)
Assigned to LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC., Santa Fe Springs, CA (US)
Filed by Lincoln Global, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 3, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/010,963.
Application 17/010,963 is a continuation of application No. 15/671,295, filed on Aug. 8, 2017, granted, now 10,792,752.
Prior Publication US 2020/0398364 A1, Dec. 24, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B23K 9/00 (2006.01); B22F 10/20 (2021.01); B22F 12/55 (2021.01); B23K 9/04 (2006.01); B23K 9/09 (2006.01); B23K 9/12 (2006.01); B23K 9/173 (2006.01); B23K 9/18 (2006.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); C22C 1/05 (2023.01); B22F 10/10 (2021.01); B23K 26/14 (2014.01); B23K 26/211 (2014.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); G05B 19/4099 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 9/0017 (2013.01) [B22F 10/20 (2021.01); B22F 12/55 (2021.01); B23K 9/04 (2013.01); B23K 9/092 (2013.01); B23K 9/121 (2013.01); B23K 9/123 (2013.01); B23K 9/124 (2013.01); B23K 9/1735 (2013.01); B23K 9/188 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); C22C 1/05 (2013.01); B22F 10/10 (2021.01); B22F 2999/00 (2013.01); B23K 26/1423 (2013.01); B23K 26/211 (2015.10); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); G05B 19/4099 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A welding or additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a power supply comprising a controller which controls operations of the power supply during gas metal arc welding, wherein the power supply provides a current waveform to a contact tip having a first channel terminating in a first exit orifice and second channel terminating in a second exit orifice, wherein the first channel is parallel with the second channel, and the first channel is configured to pass through a first wire electrode and the second channel is configured to pass through a second wire electrode, wherein the current waveform includes a bridge current portion and another current portion having a current level greater than the bridge current portion;
wherein the first exit orifice is separated from the second exit orifice such that a distance provided between the first wire electrode and the second wire electrode facilitates a formation of a bridge droplet between the first wire electrode and the second wire electrode while preventing solid portions of the first wire electrode delivered through the first exit orifice from contacting solid portions of the second wire electrode delivered through the second exit orifice during the gas metal arc welding, wherein the bridge droplet forms during the bridge current portion of the current waveform and couples the first wire electrode and second wire electrode prior to contacting a puddle during the gas metal arc welding, and
wherein a current due to the current waveform flows from the contact tip to the bridge droplet through both of the first wire electrode and the second wire electrode and the current is divided between the first wire electrode and the second wire electrode, and wherein the current flows from the bridge droplet to the puddle.