Laser welder fault detector
US4633057A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 1985 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K26/03
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A laser welder fault detector system, including a microphone and an associated electronic circuit operatively connected to a solenoid actuated ink jet, is provided to detect the formation of defective welds by an intermittently energized laser and to spray ink on sheets of metal being welded to mark the location of the defective welds. Defective welds are detected by acoustic signals generated during the welding process and picked up by the microphone, the amplitude of the signals, when defective welds are being formed, being relatively low compared to those generated when normal welds are being produced. The electronic components of the system compare the acoustic signals generated during the welding process with a reference signal characteristic of the formation of a normal weld. If the comparison is not favorable, indicating that a faulty weld has been produced, and the electronic circuit detects that the laser is energized and moving relative to the sheets being welded, the solenoid of the ink jet is activated to mark the metal sheets at the location of the defective weld.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.