Patent · US Expired

Real-time magnetic-flux breakthrough detection method and system for laser drilling

US5013886A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
10References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 23, 1990
Grant dateMay 7, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 23, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K26/0342
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Detection of the breakthrough of a laser beam through a workpiece wall uses one or more magnetic field pick-up coils. The coils are disposed on the drill side (side upon which the laser beam is impinging) of the workpiece. The coils sense the magnetic fields generated in the ionized plasma of particles escaping from the impact of the laser on the surface. The coils are connected to a breakthrough detector which generates a breakthrough signal upon the plasma and associated magnetic fields disappearing at breakthrough. The breakthrough signal is used to turn off the laser and/or change the application point at which the laser beam strikes the workpiece.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.