Welding cameras, welding helmets, welding masks, and associated display systems are described herein that utilize darkening or attenuating filters in conjunction with long-exposure imaging to capture flicker-free video of a welding process. Example embodiments include one or more of a darkening filter, an image sensor to capture long-exposure images as frames of a video, an optical image stabilization subsystem, a data storage to store video, and an electronic display to display the video. For example, captured images may be displayed on an electronic display within the welding mask without risk of overexposure of ultraviolet radiation to the operator. In some examples, dual electronic displays are used to display different images to each eye of the operator to provide a stereoscopic video feed.

Described herein are examples of smart helmet modules that can be affixed to conventional welding helmets. In some examples, a smart helmet module may include one or more sensors configured to detect if/when welding is occurring, and/or whether a welding helmet is being worn in an up or down position, or not at all. In some examples, a smart helmet module may include one or more helmet devices configured to automatically activate or deactivate based on whether welding is taking place and/or the welding helmet is being worn up, down, or not at all.

In some examples, a system includes an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) comprising one or more sensors, the one or more sensors configured to generate usage data that is indicative of an operation of the article of PPE; and at least one computing device comprising a memory and one or more computer processors that: receive the usage data that is indicative of the operation of the article of PPE; apply the usage data to a safety learning model that predicts a likelihood of an occurrence of a safety event associated with the article of PPE based at least in part on previously generated usage data that corresponds to the safety event; and perform, based at least in part on predicting the likelihood of the occurrence of the safety event, at least one operation.

A welding system includes power supply configured to provide a welding power output. The welding system also includes a welding helmet having an electronic display and an inertial measurement unit. The electronic display is configured to display a representation of the power supply and to display one or more indications of one or more parameters of the power supply. The inertial measurement unit is configured to detect movement of the welding helmet. The welding system also includes a processing system communicatively coupled to the inertial measurement unit and configured to adjust at least one parameter of the one or more parameters based at least in part on the movement of welding helmet.

A glare protecting apparatus that changes light transmittance of an LCD in order to protect eyes of an operator from light generated from a welding operation, the glare protecting apparatus comprising: a light signal detector that detects light generated during the welding operation by a photosensor; an RF signal detector that detects an RF signal generated during the welding operation via an antenna; a power supply unit that supplies a certain level of drive power to the glare protecting apparatus including the light signal detector and the RF signal detector; an RF detection power-supply switching unit; and a control unit that generates an LCD control signal.

The present application relates to a welding apparatus and an auto-darkening welding helmet (1) therefor. The auto-darkening welding helmet (1) comprises a helmet casing (10); an auto-darkening filter (20) secured on the helmet casing (10); a wireless communication module (100b) and a control circuit (700) which are installed on and/in the helmet casing (10), wherein the wireless communication module (100b) is able to be in wireless data communication with an external apparatus, and based on data received from the external apparatus, the control circuit (700) is able to set an operating parameter of the auto-darkening filter and/or a prompt message, and wherein the auto-darkening filter (20) is able to be operated independently of the external apparatus.

A welding protection device that includes a shield body, an automatic darkening filter insertable in the shield body, and a haptic sensing unit to sense a touch pattern occurring on the shield body or automatic darkening filter assembly. Upon sensing of a touch pattern, a user definable command is executed that can place the welding protection device in a specific operational state.

An embodiment includes an auto-darkening apparatus for supporting welding performed by a human welder. The auto-darkening apparatus includes a housing configured to be removably installed into a welding helmet. The auto-darkening apparatus also includes an ADF lens assembly configured to transition from an un-darkened state to a darkened state in response to light from an arc being formed between a welding electrode and a work piece during a welding process. The auto-darkening apparatus further includes a magnification assembly integrated with the ADF lens assembly within the housing. The magnification assembly is configured to provide magnification of light coming through the ADF lens assembly. The magnification is continuously user-adjustable from a defined lower level of magnification to a defined upper level of magnification.