US 11,776,423 B2
Connection boxes for gas tungsten arc welding training systems
William Joshua Becker, Manitowoc, WI (US)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/518,398.
Prior Publication US 2021/0027657 A1, Jan. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. G09B 19/24 (2006.01); B23K 9/095 (2006.01); B23K 9/32 (2006.01); G09B 9/00 (2006.01); B23K 9/28 (2006.01); B23K 37/04 (2006.01); G06F 3/0488 (2022.01); G09B 19/00 (2006.01)
CPC G09B 19/24 (2013.01) [B23K 9/0953 (2013.01); B23K 9/0956 (2013.01); B23K 9/282 (2013.01); B23K 9/32 (2013.01); B23K 37/04 (2013.01); G06F 3/0488 (2013.01); G09B 9/00 (2013.01); G09B 19/003 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connection box of a gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) training system, comprising:
a connection box housing;
a power input port configured for connection to a welding-type power supply;
a power output port configured for connection to a GTAW welding torch;
a power line that constantly connects together the power input port and the power output port, the power line being housed within the connection box housing;
a remote control input device configured to receive a remote control signal from a remote control for the GTAW welding torch, the remote control input device being at least partly housed within the connection box housing;
a remote control output device configured to provide the remote control signal received at the remote control input device to a welding-type power supply when the remote control output device is coupled to the remote control input device, the remote control output device being at least partly housed within the connection box housing;
a switch configured to selectively couple the remote control input device to the remote control output device, the switch being housed within the connection box housing; and control circuitry in electrical communication with the remote control input device, the control circuitry being housed within the connection box housing, the control circuitry configured to:
receive the remote control signal from the remote control input device;
provide a training signal representative of the remote control signal to a weld training controller;
in a live arc mode, control the switch to selectively couple the remote control input device to the remote control output device to enable communication of the remote control signal to the welding-type power supply; and
in a simulation mode, control the switch to selectively decouple the remote control input device from the remote control output device to prevent communication of the remote control signal to the welding-type power supply.