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US 7,879,394 B1Granted
Deep deposition head
AssigneeOptomec, Inc.
InventorsDavid M. Keicher, Lucas B. Brewer, Richard John Grylls
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for depositing material in hard to reach locations of a workpiece. An elongated member is inserted in an opening. The member transports a laser beam from a fiber laser and material, preferably in powder form, to the desired location. The material is deposited on the workpiece and the laser beam contacts the material. The method and apparatus may be used to manufacture a part or to repair an existing part.
Claims25
An apparatus for depositing material on a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongated member comprising a deposition head at one end;
- a fiber laser for producing a single laser beam, wherein a path of said single laser beam is internal to said elongated member;
- at least one material delivery tube attached to or within said elongated member and terminating in a feed nozzle proximate to or within said deposition head;
- said feed nozzle diverging away from an elongate axis of said elongated member;
- a mirror proximate to or within said deposition head for reflecting said single laser beam from said fiber laser out of said deposition head so that said single laser beam diverges from said elongate axis of said elongated member;
- wherein a reflection angle of said single laser beam relative to said elongate axis of said elongated member is greater than 90 degrees;
- and
- wherein material exiting said feed nozzle is contacted by said single laser beam approximately at a desired location on the workpiece.
5 more elements
A method for depositing material on a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongated member comprising a deposition head on one end;
- inserting the deposition head into a high aspect ratio cavity of the workpiece;
- transporting a material to the deposition head via at least one material delivery tube attached to or within the elongated member and terminating in a feed nozzle proximate to or within the deposition head;
- the feed nozzle diverging away from an elongate axis of the elongated member;
- ejecting the material from the feed nozzle and depositing the material at approximately a desired location of the workpiece;
- transmitting a single laser beam from a fiber laser, the fiber laser disposed internally to the elongated member;
- reflecting the single laser beam from a mirror proximate to or within the deposition head out of the deposition head at an angle relative to the elongate axis of the elongated member of greater than 90 degrees, so that the single laser beam diverges from the elongate axis of the elongated member;
- and
- contacting the ejected material with the single laser beam at approximately the desired location.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.