Orbital head laser welder
US5563391A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K26/282
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A laser welder is provided comprising a housing, an optical fiber, a wheel mounted within the housing and including a slot for receiving an article to be welded, the optical fiber mounted to and wound upon the wheel as the wheel is rotated to bring the fiber around the article, a sleeve for sealing to the article to establish a chamber surrounding the weld zone, the sleeve having a curved window for transmitting the laser light from the fiber to the weld zone, and a clip for removeably mounting the sleeve within the housing coaxial with the wheel. In another aspect, the invention provides the sealing sleeve for use in laser welding. The sleeve preferably includes a ring deformable with heat to clamp the sleeve to the article and center the article along an axis of the sleeve. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of welding articles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.