Laser material fusion under vacuum, and associated systems and methods
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsNicholas James Keleshian, Christina Michelle Valenzuela, Chad Michael Ellison, Christopher Ryan Long
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Abstract
Systems and methods for laser beam welding in a vacuum and for controlling laser beam welding processes, such as for use in manufacturing aerospace parts, are described herein. In some embodiments, a laser beam welding system can include an optical head movably positioned within a vacuum chamber. The optical head can be configured to direct a laser beam toward a part positioned within the vacuum chamber to melt and fuse the part.
Claims20
A method of laser beam welding, the method comprising:
- positioning a part within a vacuum chamber;
- generating a rough vacuum in the vacuum chamber;
- directing a laser beam toward the part;
- and
- moving an optical head, the part, or both the optical head and the part to move the laser beam across a portion of the part to heat and melt the portion of the part.
A method of laser beam welding, the method comprising:
- positioning a part within a vacuum chamber;
- positioning an optical head movably within the vacuum chamber to direct a laser beam toward the part to heat and melt a portion of the part;
- determining one or more characteristics of the heated and melted portion of the part;
- and
- modifying a parameter of the laser beam based at least in part on the determined one or more characteristics.
A laser beam welding (LBW) system, comprising:
- a vacuum chamber configured to receive a part;
- an optical head movably positioned within the vacuum chamber and configured to direct a laser beam toward the part to heat and melt a portion of the part;
- at least one sensor positioned to capture data corresponding to the heated and melted portion of the part;
- and
- a controller operably coupled to the optical head and the at least one sensor, the controller configured to at least:
- determine one or more characteristics of the heated and melted portion of the part based at least in part on the captured data;
- and
- modify a parameter of the laser beam based at least in part on the determined one or more characteristics.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.