Waveguide apparatus and method for laser welding
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorJames Paul Drummond
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a waveguide apparatus for transferring light to a weld area. The waveguide apparatus can include a waveguide comprising a material having a first index of refraction and having at least one wall defining at least one cavity. The assembly can also include a filler material positioned within the at least one cavity and having a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction. Also, some embodiments of the present invention provide a laser welding assembly in which a waveguide apparatus is used to weld materials, a method of laser welding materials using a waveguide, and a method of manufacturing such a waveguide.
Claims14
A waveguide apparatus for transferring light to a weld area of to be welded parts, the waveguide apparatus, comprising:
- a waveguide not forming a portion of the to be welded parts having a wall through which light can pass, the wall at least partially defining a cavity and comprising a first material having a first index of refraction;
- and a filler material located within the cavity, the filler material having a second index of retraction, the second index of refraction being less than the first index of retraction and a difference between the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction is at least about 0.01.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.