Mixing nozzle for a laser processing system

A method of mixing at least two fluids within a nozzle for a laser processing head of a laser processing system, the method comprising:

• directing a primary fluid axially forward through a primary passage disposed in a body of the nozzle from a proximal end to a distal end of the body;
• providing an auxiliary fluid into at least one auxiliary passage disposed in the body of the nozzle, a distal portion of the auxiliary passage configured to divert into a first fluid flow passage and a second fluid flow passage;
• directing a first portion of the auxiliary fluid axially forward through the first fluid flow passage of the auxiliary passage toward the distal end of the nozzle body;
• directing a second portion of the auxiliary fluid inward through the second fluid flow passage of the auxiliary passage toward the primary fluid in the primary passage;
• and
• mixing the second portion of the auxiliary fluid with the primary fluid in the primary passage to create a mixed processing fluid.

A nozzle for a laser processing head for processing a workpiece, the nozzle comprising:

• a primary passage disposed in a body of the nozzle, the primary passage configured to direct a laser beam and a primary fluid from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body to process the workpiece;
• a set of at least one auxiliary passage disposed in the body of the nozzle, a distal portion of the at least one auxiliary passage configured to divert into two fluid flow passages including:
• a first fluid flow passage configured to direct a first portion of an auxiliary fluid in an axially forward direction toward the distal end of the nozzle body to substantially shroud the laser beam emerging from the primary passage;
• and
• a second fluid flow passage configured to direct a second portion of the auxiliary fluid toward the primary passage to mix with the primary fluid in the primary passage;
• and
• a set of at least one vent passage extending outward from the primary passage to fluidly connect the primary passage to atmosphere.

A method of mixing at least two fluids within a nozzle for a laser processing head of a laser processing system, the method comprising:

• directing a primary fluid axially forward through a primary passage disposed in a body of the nozzle from a proximal end to a distal end of the body;
• providing an auxiliary fluid into at least one auxiliary passage disposed in the body of the nozzle;
• directing at least a portion of the auxiliary fluid inward by the auxiliary passage toward the primary fluid in the primary passage;
• and
• mixing the at least portion of the auxiliary fluid with the primary fluid in the primary passage to create a mixed processing fluid.

A nozzle for a laser processing head for processing a workpiece, the nozzle comprising:

• a body;
• a primary passage disposed in the body, wherein the primary passage is configured to direct a laser beam and a primary fluid from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body;
• and
• at least one auxiliary passage disposed in the body, wherein the at least one auxiliary passage is configured to direct at least a portion of an auxiliary fluid toward a path of the primary fluid to mix the portion of the auxiliary fluid with the primary fluid in the body of the nozzle.