Patent Document ID: 20110117527
Application ID: 12966570
Patent Status: 0

Claim One:
1. A system for training welders, comprising: (a) a data generating component, wherein the data generating component further includes: (i) a substrate; (ii) at least one support adjustably mounted on the substrate, wherein the support may be horizontally oriented or vertically oriented; (iii) a jig positioned on the at least one support, wherein the jig is operative to consistently retain a weld coupon in a predetermined position; (iv) at least one calibration block positioned on the jig, wherein the geometric configuration of the calibration block is specific to a particular type of weld joint; (v) a weld coupon positioned on the jig adjacent to the calibration block, wherein the weld coupon further includes at least one piece of weldable material, and wherein a weld is actually produced by a trainee during a training exercise; (vi) a welding gun for use by the trainee, wherein the welding gun is operative to form the weld; and (vii) at least one target mounted on the welding gun; (b) a data capturing component, wherein the data capturing component further includes: (i) at least one imaging device for capturing images of the target, wherein the at least one imaging device is mounted on or near the substrate such that the imaging device has a clear view of the at least one target mounted on the welding gun; and (c) a data processing and visualization component, wherein the data processing and visualization component further includes: (i) at least one computer for receiving and analyzing information captured by the data capturing component, wherein the at least one computer is running software that includes: a) a training regimen module, wherein the training regimen module includes a variety of weld types and a series of acceptable welding process parameters associated with creating each weld type; b) an object recognition module for recognizing the target; and c) a data processing module for comparing the information in the training regimen module to the information processed by the object recognition module; and (ii) at least one display device in electrical communication with the at least one computer for allowing the trainee to visualize the processed data in real time or immediately following the weld, wherein the visualized data is operative to provide the trainee with information regarding a training exercise.