US 12,240,067 B2
Motion control method and system for servicing of welding torch
Naseem Kteily, Waterloo (CA); Michel Tremblay, Waterloo (CA); and Taylor Machacek, Waterloo (CA)
Assigned to NASARC TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Waterloo, CA (US)
Filed by NASARC TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Waterloo (CA)
Filed on Dec. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/547,364.
Application 17/547,364 is a continuation of application No. 16/303,024, granted, now 11,224,931, previously published as PCT/CA2017/050612, filed on May 19, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/339,311, filed on May 20, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0097162 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B23K 9/32 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 9/328 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for servicing a welding torch, the system comprising:
a controllable clamp adapted to hold and release a component of the welding torch, the clamp being movable along an axis of the clamp and rotatable about the axis of the clamp; and
a lift system comprising:
a rail;
a dual acting cylinder for generating a motion of the clamp along the axis of the clamp, the cylinder having a first chamber and a second chamber;
a carriage movable along the rail and carrying the clamp, the cylinder operatively coupled to the carriage; and
a controller adapted to control a net force defined by an upwards force and a downwards force acting on the cylinder in connection with the operation of the clamp, thereby providing a degree of freedom in a movement of the clamp to control a force exerted between mating components of the welding torch when removing or replacing the component.