Method and apparatus for real time weld monitoring
US5674415A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K26/044
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus are provided for real time weld monitoring. An infrared signature emitted by a hot weld surface during welding is detected and this signature is compared with an infrared signature emitted by the weld surface during steady state conditions. The result is correlated with weld penetration. The signal processing is simpler than for either UV or acoustic techniques. Changes in the weld process, such as changes in the transmitted laser beam power, quality or positioning of the laser beam, change the resulting weld surface features and temperature of the weld surface, thereby resulting in a change in the direction and amount of infrared emissions. This change in emissions is monitored by an IR sensitive detecting apparatus that is sensitive to the appropriate wavelength region for the hot weld surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.