Method and apparatus for supplying gaseous nitrogen to a laser beam machine
US5763855A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K26/1476
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Oxygen and nitrogen contained in air is separated by an air separator. The separated nitrogen gas is supplied to an optical path cover of a laser beam machine as a protective gas for bend mirrors. Further, the separated nitrogen gas or oxygen gas can be selectively supplied to a laser beam head as an assist gas. The purity of the separated nitrogen gas can be kept within a predetermined range (94 to 99.5%) on the basis of a difference in pressure between a first conduit for supplying nitrogen gas and a second conduit for supplying oxygen gas. It is preferable to provide a filter for removing dust from air supplied to the air separator and a second filter for removing oil mist from the separated nitrogen supplied to the optical path cover.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.