Method and apparatus for assessing weld quality

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873758

Smartt, Herschel B ^[1]; Kenney, Kevin L ^[1]; Johnson, John A ^[1]; Carlson, Nancy M ^[1]; Clark, Denis E ^[1]; Taylor, Paul L ^[2]; Reutzel, Edward W ^[3]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID
2. Boise, ID
3. State College, PA

Apparatus for determining a quality of a weld produced by a welding device according to the present invention includes a sensor operatively associated with the welding device. The sensor is responsive to at least one welding process parameter during a welding process and produces a welding process parameter signal that relates to the at least one welding process parameter. A computer connected to the sensor is responsive to the welding process parameter signal produced by the sensor. A user interface operatively associated with the computer allows a user to select a desired welding process. The computer processes the welding process parameter signal produced by the sensor in accordance with one of a constant voltage algorithm, a short duration weld algorithm or a pulsed current analysis module depending on the desired welding process selected by the user. The computer produces output data indicative of the quality of the weld.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 6236017
• OSTI ID: 873758
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
assessing
weld
quality
determining
produced
welding
device
according
sensor
operatively
associated
responsive
process
parameter
produces
signal
relates
computer
connected
user
interface
allows
select
desired
processes
accordance
constant
voltage
algorithm
duration
pulsed
current
analysis
module
depending
selected
output
data
indicative
output data
welding process
process parameter
constant voltage
operatively associated
signal produced
pulsed current
current analysis
data indicative
welding device
weld quality
computer process
device according
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