US3601576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for boring workpieces by laser pulses
Assignee: Laser Technique SA
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Filing: 1968-09-13
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1988-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A method for boring workpieces of hard material by laser pulses for obtaining the bore sizes within relatively critical tolerances. Laser pulses are used of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, the duration not exceeding 100 Mu sec. and the wavelength of the pulses is arranged to exceed 1 Mu .
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Schlafli
- 👤 Gottfried Gugger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:20
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/12; B23K26/1224; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/062; B23K26/0622; B23K26/0624; B23K26/123; B23K26/125; B23K26/127; B23K26/14; B23K26/142; B23K26/144; B23K26/36; B23K26/38; B23K26/382; B23K26/40; B28; B28D; B28D5/00; G; G04; G04D; G04D3/00; G04D3/0069; G04D3/0071; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for boring workpieces, particularly watch jewels by means of laser energy, comprising providing a laser source adapted for producing pulses of laser energy, and having means focusing said laser energy in a focus, placing said workpiece with the place to be bored in said focus whereafter the laser is released with a pulse energy of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, a pulse duration not exceeding 100 sec. and the wavelength of the laser energy exceeding 1 Mu .
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for boring workpieces, particularly watch jewels by means of laser energy, comprising providing a laser source adapted for producing pulses of laser energy, and having means focusing said laser energy in a focus, placing said workpiece with the place to be bored in said focus whereafter the laser is released with a pulse energy of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, a pulse duration not exceeding 100 sec. and the wavelength of the laser energy exceeding 1 Mu .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein laser pulses having an energy of 0.2 to 0.5 Joule are used.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein laser pulses at a wave length of 1.06 Mu are produced by means of a crystal rod containing yttrium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein a crystal rod of yttrium-aluminium-garnet (YAG) is used.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein a crystal rod having a length of 65 mm. and a diameter of 6.00 mm. is used.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein an optical system having a focal length not exceeding 25 mm. is used.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein laser pulses with a duration of at least approximately 85 Mu sec. are used.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the bore is made by a succession of several laser pulses, the focus being shifted along a circular path around the axis of the bore to be bored.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the bore is made by a succession of several laser pulses, succeeding laser pulses of different energy being released.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is heated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is bored under vacuum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is bored in a gas atmosphere, for instance in oxygen.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for boring workpieces, particularly watch jewels by means of laser energy, comprising providing a laseR source adapted for producing pulses of laser energy and having means focusing said laser energy in a focus, placing said workpiece with the place to be bored in said focus and releasing the laser with a pulse energy of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, a pulse duration not exceeding 100 Mu sec. and the wavelength of the laser energy exceeding 1 Mu , a gaseous medium being conducted through the bore during boring of the same.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for boring workpieces, particularly watch jewels by means of laser energy, comprising providing a laseR source adapted for producing pulses of laser energy and having means focusing said laser energy in a focus, placing said workpiece with the place to be bored in said focus and releasing the laser with a pulse energy of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, a pulse duration not exceeding 100 Mu sec. and the wavelength of the laser energy exceeding 1 Mu , a gaseous medium being conducted through the bore during boring of the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein a gas such as air, oxygen, nitrogen hydrogen is blown or sucked through the bore.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein the gas is conducted through the bore during boring of the same in the direction of entrance of the laser or in a direction opposite to the entrance of the laser or alternatively in each of these directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein a fluid flow is set up between the workpiece and the laser-focusing system for carrying away particles removed from the workpiece.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein said fluid flow is set up in a direction transversely to the direction of entrance of the laser.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein a film of a liquid is conducted over a protecting pane located between the workpiece and the laser focusing system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein a gas flow is set up through the bore from a chamber located between the laser focusing system and the workpiece.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein removed particles are deposited electrostatically.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for boring watch jewels by means of laser energy, comprising providing a laser source adapted for producing pulses of laser energy and having means focusing said laser energy in a focus, placing said watch jewel with its central portion to be bored in said focus, and releasing the laser with a pulse energy of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, a pulse duration not exceeding 100 Mu sec. and the wave length of the laser energy exceeding 1 Mu .
Claim 24
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for boring watch jewels by means of laser energy, comprising providing a laser source adapted for producing pulses of laser energy and having means focusing said laser energy in a focus, placing said watch jewel with its central portion to be bored in said focus, and releasing the laser with a pulse energy of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, a pulse duration not exceeding 100 Mu sec. and the wave length of the laser energy exceeding 1 Mu .
Claim 25
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for boring workpieces of hard and brittle material by means of laser energy, comprising providing a laser source adapted for producing pulses of laser energy and having means focusing said laser energy in a focus, placing the workpiece in the focus and releasing the laser with a pulse energy of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, a pulse duration not exceeding 100 Mu sec. and the wavelength of the laser energy exceeding 1 Mu .
Claim 26
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for boring workpieces of hard and brittle material by means of laser energy, comprising providing a laser source adapted for producing pulses of laser energy and having means focusing said laser energy in a focus, placing the workpiece in the focus and releasing the laser with a pulse energy of 0.1 to 0.8 Joule, a pulse duration not exceeding 100 Mu sec. and the wavelength of the laser energy exceeding 1 Mu .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |