Jay T Hampton

US Patent:

8158905, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Oct 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/926158

Inventors:

Alexander D. Khakhalev - Troy MI, US
Jay Hampton - Lenox MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23K 9/173

US Classification:

219137R, 219 74

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling arc shielding gas during an arc welding operation is disclosed. The method may include the steps of actuating a first valve connected to an arc initiation source of gas to selectively allow arc initiation gas to flow through a mixing chamber; initiating an arc; actuating a second valve connected to a primary shielding source of gas to selectively allow primary shielding gas to flow through the mixing chamber; actuating the first valve to reduce, if needed, the arc initiation gas flow from the arc initiation source of gas; and continuing with the arc welding operation. The arc welding operation may also include actuating the first valve to cause the arc welding operation to operate in a different metal transfer mode when it is desirable, or when the arc welding operation is nearing completion.

US Patent:

8440937, May 14, 2013

Filed:

Dec 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/332389

Inventors:

Jay Hampton - Lenox MI, US
Alexander D. Khakhalev - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23K 9/295
H05H 1/34
C04B 41/09

US Classification:

21913731, 21913743, 2191215, 21912151, 21912152, 4273762

Abstract:

A self-cleaning GMAW nozzle characterized by the inner surface thereof having a laminate group, preferably composed of sequentially alternating layers of metal and bonding material. Over a period of time of welding, welding spatter begins to accumulate upon an outermost metal layer of the laminate group. As the heat of welding proceeds over this same time, the adhesion of the adjoining bonding layer releases, whereby the outermost metal layer detaches, exposing a clean, new outermost metal layer. The process sequentially repeats until all metal layers have detached.

US Patent:

20090107960, Apr 30, 2009

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/927809

Inventors:

Jay Hampton - LENOX MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

B23K 9/16

US Classification:

219 74

Abstract:

A weld stability system for an arc welding apparatus and method of operation is disclosed. The weld stability system may comprise a shielding gas supply and a control assembly. The shielding gas supply may include a first source of gas, a second source of gas, a mixing chamber, a first valve selectively connecting the first source of gas to the mixing chamber, a second valve selectively connecting the second source of gas to the mixing chamber, and a shielding gas supply line configured to direct gas from the mixing chamber to a weld gun. The control assembly may include a controller operatively engaging the first and second valves, and at least one sensor configured to monitor a parameter of an arc welding process and communicate with the controller.

US Patent:

20090188896, Jul 30, 2009

Filed:

Jan 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/019660

Inventors:

Alexander D. Khakhalev - Troy MI, US
Jay Hampton - Lenox MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

B23K 9/16

US Classification:

219 74, 219137 R

Abstract:

A gas metal arc welding system comprising, and a method of welding a plurality of workpieces utilizing, a plurality of individually selectable and separately controlled wire feeds, wherein the feeds preferably present differing wire diameters and compositions and predetermined wire contributions are combined during welding so as to present a weld pool and joint having aggregate properties.

US Patent:

20090200281, Aug 13, 2009

Filed:

Feb 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/028428

Inventors:

Jay Hampton - Lenox MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23K 9/095
G01M 19/00

US Classification:

21913033, 21913001, 738658

Abstract:

A method controls a welding apparatus by using a neural network to recognize an acceptable weld signature. The neural network recognizes a pattern presented by the instantaneous weld signature, and modifies the instantaneous weld signature when the pattern is not acceptable. The method measures a welding voltage, current, and wire feed speed (WFS), and trains the neural network using the instantaneous weld signature when the instantaneous weld signature is different from each of the different training weld signatures. A welding apparatus for controlling a welding process includes a welding gun, a power supply for supplying a welding voltage and current, and a sensor for detecting values of a plurality of different welding process variables. A controller of the apparatus has a neural network for receiving the welding process variables and for recognizing a pattern in the weld signature. The controller modifies the weld signature when the pattern is not recognized.

US Patent:

20090200282, Aug 13, 2009

Filed:

Feb 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/028431

Inventors:

Jay Hampton - Lenox MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23K 9/095
G01M 19/00

US Classification:

21913033, 21913001, 738658

Abstract:

A method monitors a weld signature of a welding apparatus by processing the signature through a neural network to recognize a pattern, and by classifying the weld signature in response to the pattern. The method determines if the weld signature is sufficiently different from training weld signatures stored in a database, and records the weld signature in the database when sufficiently different. The method tests a weld joint to determine values of different weld joint properties, and then correlates the signature with the weld data to validate the database. An apparatus monitors a weld signature during a welding process to predict welding joint quality, and includes a welding gun, a power supply, and a sensor for detecting welding voltage, current, and wire feed speed (WFS). A neural network receives the welding process values and classifies the signature into different weld classifications each corresponding to a predicted welding joint quality.

US Patent:

20090236326, Sep 24, 2009

Filed:

Mar 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/051042

Inventors:

Jay Hampton - Lenox MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

B23K 37/00
B23K 9/24
F28D 15/04
F28D 15/02
F25B 21/02

US Classification:

219136, 21913762, 62 32, 16510421, 16510426

Abstract:

A heat pipe cooling system adapted for exemplary use with a gas metal arc welding torch, includes a container enclosing a capillary structure and quantity of working fluid, and functions to accelerate the dissipation of heat energy from a heated zone generated by the torch through the vaporization and condensation of the fluid and the capillary action of the structure.

US Patent:

20100270269, Oct 28, 2010

Filed:

Apr 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/427921

Inventors:

Alexander D. Khakhalev - Troy MI, US
Jay Hampton - Lenox MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23K 28/00

US Classification:

219 74

Abstract:

A welding apparatus for welding a work piece is provided that has a weld gun with a nozzle body having an inner surface defining a cavity, and a distal opening forming a nozzle orifice. An electrode extends in the cavity and is configured to be positionable proximate the work piece. The weld gun is configured to provide a flow of shielding gas through the nozzle orifice. The welding apparatus is configured to position the nozzle orifice at a distance from the work piece sufficient to cause the inner surface to direct weld spatter to a weld pool on the work piece adjacent the nozzle. Additionally, the distance is such that laminar flow of the shielding gas is maintained under the predetermined gas flow rate.