Patent · US Expired

Split beam laser welding apparatus

US5369242A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
1References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 8, 1993
Grant dateNov 29, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 8, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K26/067
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for performing laser welding comprises an optical lens for receiving an incoming laser beam and for dividing the laser beam into a number of different beam segments. The top surface is defined by a number of different surfaces for respectively dividing the laser beam into the number of beam segments. The optical lens has a convex bottom surface for focusing and directing the beam segments onto a respective number of welding locations. Preferably, the laser welding system is used to simultaneously perform five welds on an improved spacer grid assembly which has a cylindrical member located at each intersection of the spacer strips. By simultaneously performing the five requisite welds, the welding time is significantly reduced. Also, the welding process is simplified since the system only has to be in one position to perform all of the welds at each intersection.

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