Systems and methods for regulating fluid flows in laser processing systems

Abstract

A nozzle for a laser processing head is provided. The nozzle comprises a body defining a bore extending between a proximal region of the body and a distal region of the body. The bore is configured to conduct a laser beam along with a first portion of a fluid therethrough for delivery to a workpiece. The nozzle also includes a cap coupled to the distal region of the body and a plurality of secondary passages cooperatively defined between the cap and the body and disposed circumferentially about the bore of the body. The plurality of secondary passages are configured to conduct a second portion of the fluid through the distal region and circumferentially about the bore. A flow rate of the second fluid portion through the plurality of secondary passages is slower than a flow rate of the first fluid portion through the bore.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.