Patent ID: 7015419
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: B23K,G01P

Abstract:
1. A welding apparatus, having a current source for supplying electrical power to at least one electrode at a welding torch and a control system co-operating with the current source, linked to an input device for entering settings for different welding parameters, several sensing means being provided for detecting various actual values of a welding process, a measuring system disposed in the welding torch upstream of a contact pipe between a drive system for the welding wire feed and a linking element ( 30 ) for a supply line ( 12 ) or a hose pack, wherein the measuring system consists of a light source, in particular a controlled light source and an optical receiver, which acts on a sensor, and the measuring system is furthermore programmed to detect the surface of the welding wire again after a pre-set measuring cycle time has elapsed and an evaluation logic compares the last detected pattern with the digitally stored pattern and the evaluation logic is programmed to detect a shift in the pattern and calculate a distance of travel or a changed position or the rate of the shift in the pattern.