Split beam laser welding system
AssigneeCombustion Engineering, Inc.
InventorPatrick A. Perrotti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The laser beam welding of a spacer grid assembly is accomplished by dividing a laser beam (21) into at least two beam segments (37). These beam segments (37) are then routed around the mixing vanes (31) and focused below the vanes (31). The focus and coincidence (34) of the beam segments (37) may be moved down along the intersection to provide an elongated smaller diameter weld. The spacer grid assembly of the present invention has an improved Departure from Nucleate Boiling performance, increased strength against buckling, and a reduced detrimental effect on the coolant flow.
Claims13
A system for performing split beam laser welding of two workpieces comprising:
- (a) means for separating a laser beam into a plurality of beam segments;
- (b) means for directing said beam segments along separate beam paths;
- and
- (c) means for focusing said beam segments at an intersection of said two workpieces and onto different locations of contact between said two workpieces whereby welding of said workpieces occurs at said locations.
A split beam laser welding system for use on a spacer grid assembly having mixing vanes comprising:
- (a) means for dividing an incoming collimated laser beam into a plurality of beam segments;
- (b) means for directing said beam segments along separate beam paths;
- and
- (c) focusing means for reducing said beam segments into points of light and for directing said points at an intersection of two strips of said spacer grid assembly, below said mixing vanes, and onto different locations of contact between said two strips whereby welding of said strips occurs at said locations.
A method for performing split beam laser welding of a spacer grid assembly having mixing vanes comprising the steps of:
- (a) dividing an incoming collimated laser beam into a plurality of beam segments;
- (b) directing said beam segments along separate beam paths;
- (c) focusing said beam segments into points of light;
- and
- (d) directing said points of light at an intersection of two strips of said spacer grid assembly, below said mixing vanes, and onto different locations of contact between said two strips thereby welding said strips at said intersection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.