Hand held powder-fed laser fusion welding torch

US6774338B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. · US

Inventors

• Martin C. Baker · Budd Lake, US
• Santosh K. Das · Dover, US
• Richard F. Haraz · Cumming, US
• William F. Hehmann · Greer, US
• Vincent Papotto · Winder, US
• Federico Renteria · Greenville, US
• Gary Winchester · Duluth, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 2003
• Grant date: Aug 10, 2004
• Expiry date: Jul 22, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B23P6/007
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A novel and inventive hand held powder-fed laser fusion welding torch providing manual flexibility for laser welding with powder-fed material. The hand held laser includes a body, handle, and nozzle assembly. The nozzle may be shrouded by a cover that is slightly spaced apart from the nozzle. The gap between the two may provide space through which inert gas may flow. Laser light from a remote source shines through the nozzle's central aperture. The nozzle aperture may be circumscribed by powder channel outlets aligned upon a working focal point coincident with the laser beam to treat a workpiece. A proximity sensor may enable selective welding torch operation according to the presence of a workpiece.