Fiber optic laser joining apparatus
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsHerman A. Nied, Marshall G. Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fiber optic laser apparatus for spot welding, brazing, or soldering comprises an optical fiber for transmitting a laser beam to a workpiece, and a tool disposed at an output end of the optical fiber for mechanically engaging and applying pressure to the workpiece. The output end of the optical fiber is supported within a longitudinal bore of the tool with the tip of the fiber closely adjacent to an opening in a workpiece-engaging end of the tool. The diverging laser beam from the end of the optical fiber projects a spot onto the workpiece through the opening with sufficient power to cause melting without the necessity for a lens system for focusing of the laser beam.
Claims20
Laser joining apparatus for spot welding, brazing or soldering comprising an optical fiber for transmitting a laser beam;
- means for injecting the laser beam into an input end of the optical fiber for transmission therethrough;
- an elongated housing having means for engaging and exerting pressure on a workpiece, the engaging means having an opening therein;
- and means within the housing for supporting an output end of the optical fiber with respect to the opening, the optical fiber being positioned such that a diverging portion of the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber is projected directly from the output end of the optical fiber through the opening onto the workpiece.
Laser joining apparatus comprising an optical fiber having an input end and an output end for transmitting a laser beam therethrough;
- a tool disposed at the output end of the optical fiber, the tool including an elongated housing having a flat end for engaging and for applying pressure to a first workpiece in contact with a second workpiece, the flat end having an opening therein;
- and means for supporting the optical fiber within the housing with the output end of the fiber positioned adjacent to the opening and a predetermined distance from the first workpiece so that a diverging portion of the laser beam emitted from the output end of the optical fiber directly projects a beam spot through the opening onto the workpiece.
Pulsed laser processing apparatus comprising an optical fiber for transmitting a laser beam;
- means for injecting the laser beam into an input end of the optical fiber for transmission therethrough;
- an elongated housing having means for engaging and exerting pressure on a workpiece, the engaging means having an opening therein;
- means within the housing for supporting an output end of the optical fiber with respect to the opening, the output end being positioned such that a diverging portion of the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber is directly projected through the opening onto the workpiece for heating the workpiece to the processing temperature;
- and means for infrared sensing the magnitude of the temperature at the workpiece by synchronization of laser pulsing and infrared sensing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.