US 11,904,419 B2
Gas metal arc welding system for a welding robotic arm
Edward L. Cooper, Clarklake, MI (US); and Steven J. Hayes, Addison, MI (US)
Assigned to ELCo Enterprises, Inc., Jackson, MI (US)
Appl. No. 17/255,705
Filed by ELCo Enterprises, Inc., Jackson, MI (US)
PCT Filed Jun. 24, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/038689
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 23, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/005813, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 2, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/689,496, filed on Jun. 25, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0276116 A1, Sep. 9, 2021
Int. Cl. B23K 9/29 (2006.01); B23K 9/12 (2006.01); B23K 9/133 (2006.01); H01R 4/02 (2006.01); H01R 9/11 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 9/295 (2013.01) [B23K 9/123 (2013.01); B23K 9/133 (2013.01); H01R 4/029 (2013.01); H01R 9/11 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A gas metal arc welding system for a robotic arm, the system comprising:
a j-arm having a first end and a second end, both the first and second ends each having a through hole;
a power block having a longitudinal axis, the power block having a first opening defining a first passageway along the longitudinal axis and a second opening defining a second passageway substantially along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second passageways are in fluid communication with each other, wherein the first passageway is configured to receive an electrode;
a bolt having a threaded portion configured to extend through the first end of the j-arm and into the second passageway of the power block, wherein the bolt retains the j-arm to the power block;
wherein the threaded portion of the bolt comprises an internal passageway that extends through a longitudinal axis of the bolt, wherein the internal passageway of the bolt, and the first and second passageways of the power block are in fluid communication with each other; and
wherein the bolt has a head located adjacent to the first end of the j-arm, opposite of the power block, the internal passageway of the bolt extending through the head, wherein an inert gas is fed through the internal passageway of the bolt.
 
6. A gas metal arc welding system for a robotic arm, the system comprising:
an arm having a first end and a second end, both the first and second ends each having a through hole;
a power block having a longitudinal axis, the power block having a first opening defining a first passageway along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first passageway is configured to receive an electrode;
a bolt having a threaded portion configured to extend through the first end of the arm and into the power block, wherein the bolt retains the arm to the power block;
a lug attached to the second end of the arm, the lug and the arm being formed of a same highly conductive material and configured to conduct electricity to the power block.