US 6,130,404 A · Electro-optical removal of plastic layer bonded to a metal tube

Abstract

A method for preparing a multi-layer tube, useful prior to endforming for brakeline connections, comprises the steps of forming a metal tube having an outer surface and an end and bonding a corrosion resistant layer to the metal tube outer surface. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the corrosion resistant layer. A first polymeric layer is extruded onto the metal tube, such that it bonds to the surface treatment layer; and a second polymeric layer is extruded onto the metal tube, such that it bonds to the first polymeric layer. The method further comprises the step of vaporizing and removing at least a portion of the first and second polymeric layers from an area adjacent the end by rotating an axially defocused, generally elliptical cross-sectionally shaped laser beam 360.degree. about the area, while leaving the corrosion resistant layer intact.

Claims57

Dependent claims

A method for preparing a multi-layer tube, comprising the step of:

substantially removing at least a portion of a polymeric layer from an outer surface circumference of a metal tube having a corrosion resistant layer applied thereto, by axially defocusing a laser beam from a pinpoint cross-sectional shape to a generally elliptical cross-sectional shape onto the polymeric layer portion, wherein the generally elliptical cross-sectionally shaped laser beam vaporizes the polymeric layer portion while leaving the corrosion resistant layer intact;
wherein the multi-layer tube is at least one of a brakeline, a vacuum line, a transmission oil cooler line, a vapor return line, and a fuel line.

A method for preparing a multi-layer tube, comprising the step of:

substantially removing at least a portion of a polymeric layer from an outer surface circumference of a metal tube having a corrosion resistant layer applied thereto, by axially defocusing a laser beam from a pinpoint cross-sectional shape to a generally elliptical cross-sectional shape onto the polymeric layer portion, wherein the generally elliptical cross-sectionally shaped laser beam vaporizes the polymeric layer portion while leaving the corrosion resistant layer intact;
wherein the axial defocusing is accomplished by a beam delivery system, the system comprising:
a laser beam generator emitting the pinpoint cross-sectionally shaped laser beam;
means, operatively connected to the beam generator, for defocusing the pinpoint cross-sectionally shaped laser beam into the generally elliptical cross-sectionally shaped laser beam;
and
means, operatively connected to the beam generator and the defocusing means, for reflecting one of the pinpoint cross-sectionally shaped laser beam and the generally elliptical cross-sectionally shaped laser beam to a position adjacent the polymeric layer portion.

3 more elements

A method for preparing a multi-layer tube, comprising the step of:

substantially removing at least a portion of a polymeric layer from an outer surface circumference of a metal tube having a corrosion resistant layer applied thereto, by axially defocusing a laser beam from a pinpoint cross-sectional shape to a generally elliptical cross-sectional shape onto the polymeric layer portion, wherein the generally elliptical cross-sectionally shaped laser beam vaporizes the polymeric layer portion while leaving the corrosion resistant layer intact;
wherein the corrosion resistant layer comprises a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface, wherein the zinc layer is selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof;
and wherein the multi-layer tube further comprises a surface treatment layer bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc aluminum rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate, and mixtures thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electro-optical removal of plastic layer bonded to a metal tube

Life of this patent

Electro-optical removal of plastic layer bonded to a metal tube

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims57