Crash proof nozzle
AssigneeRaycon Textron Inc.
InventorWilliam L. Clayton, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nozzle apparatus for focusing a beam of collimated radiation from a laser source has a spring mounted nozzle which contains the focusing lens or mirror system for establishing the actual size of the focal spot of the beam on a workpiece. Engagement of the tip of the nozzle with the workpiece or other obstacles will cause the nozzle to tilt away from the obstacle and means are responsive to such tilting movement to stop machine operation in order to clear the obstacle from the programmed path of operation of the spring mounted nozzle. Furthermore, means are provided to cause the entire assembly to be deflected upwardly when encountering an obstacle that is located in a centered relationship below the nozzle tip. The spring mounted nozzle repositions itself when it is free of the obstacle.
Claims11
In nozzle apparatus for focusing a beam of collimated radiation from a laser source, the nozzle apparatus including a nozzle housing having a nozzle inlet, beam focusing means and a nozzle outlet and drive system for moving the nozzle apparatus with respect to a workpiece against which the collimated radiation is focused the improvement comprising:
- upper housing means for receiving the beam from the laser source;
- lower housing means connected to said upper housing means having beam focusing means therein and a nozzle tip;
- coupling means for spring mounting said lower housing means on said upper housing means for causing shock absorbing movement with respect to said upper housing means when said lower housing means contacts an obstacle;
- and switch means responsive to shock absorbing movement between said upper and lower housing means for signaling the machine drive means to stop until the obstruction is removed.
In nozzle apparatus for focusing a beam of collimated radiation from a laser source, the nozzle apparatus including a nozzle housing having a nozzle inlet, beam focusing means and a nozzle outlet and a machine drive system for positioning the nozzle apparatus with respect to a workpiece against which the collimated radiation is focused, the improvement comprising:
- an upper housing and an expandable bellows connecting the upper housing to the laser source;
- lower housing means connected to said upper housing having the focusing lens means therein;
- and
- coupling means for providing relative tilting movement between said lower housing means and said upper housing means when said lower housing means contacts an obstacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.