US4162390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser welding chamber
Assignee: Huntington Alloys Corp
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Filing: 1977-10-03
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Granted: 1979-07-24
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Expires: 1997-10-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for laser welding in a controllably pure gaseous environment at sub-atmospheric as well as high pressures. A workpiece to be welded is contained within a vessel having a light transmitting means which allows passage of a laser beam into the vessel. A gas stream is introduced to the vessel through a gas inlet means and positioned so that the stream deflects ionized particles from impinging on the light transmitting means. The gas stream simultaneously serves to cool the light transmitting means. Weld debris and spent gas are exhausted through a gas exhaust means which preferably is located adjacent to the workpiece. The apparatus is particularly suited to the laser welding of oxide dispersion strengthened alloys.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:28
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/12; B23K26/123; B23K26/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for welding with a laser beam comprising: a. a gas tight vessel enclosing a workpiece to be welded; b. a light transmitting means for passage of said laser beam into said vessel, said light transmitting means positioned to permit impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece; c. a gas inlet means for introducing a gas stream into said vessel, said gas inlet means positioned to impinge said gas stream on said light transmitting means and intersect said laser beam; and d. a gas exhaust means for the removal of gas from said vessel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for welding with a laser beam comprising: a. a gas tight vessel enclosing a workpiece to be welded; b. a light transmitting means for passage of said laser beam into said vessel, said light transmitting means positioned to permit impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece; c. a gas inlet means for introducing a gas stream into said vessel, said gas inlet means positioned to impinge said gas stream on said light transmitting means and intersect said laser beam; and d. a gas exhaust means for the removal of gas from said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light transmitting means is positioned opposite and aligned with said workpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said gas exhaust means is positioned adjacent said workpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said gas exhaust means is shaped paradromic with a weld centerline in said workpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for welding comprising: a. inserting a workpiece to be welded within a gas tight vessel having a light transmitting means for passage of a laser beam into said vessel, said light transmitting means positioned to permit impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece, said vessel having a gas inlet means for introduction of a gas stream positioned to impinge said gas stream on said light transmitting means and intersecting said laser beam, and a gas exhaust means for removal of gas from said vessel; b. flowing said gas stream through said vessel; and c. directing a laser beam to impinge said workpiece along a predetermined course to provide a weld.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for welding comprising: a. inserting a workpiece to be welded within a gas tight vessel having a light transmitting means for passage of a laser beam into said vessel, said light transmitting means positioned to permit impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece, said vessel having a gas inlet means for introduction of a gas stream positioned to impinge said gas stream on said light transmitting means and intersecting said laser beam, and a gas exhaust means for removal of gas from said vessel; b. flowing said gas stream through said vessel; and c. directing a laser beam to impinge said workpiece along a predetermined course to provide a weld.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as defined in claim 5, wherein said light transmitting means is positioned opposite and aligned with said workpiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as defined in claim 6, wherein said gas exhaust means is positioned adjacent said workpiece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A process as defined in claim 7, wherein said gas stream is introduced to said vessel at a flow rate sufficient to substantially avoid ionization of said gas stream and to deflect an ionized metal particle stream transmitted along said laser beam while cooling said light transmitting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as defined in claim 8, wherein said gas stream is an inert gas stream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as defined in claim 8, wherein said gas stream is an argon stream.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for welding at pressured atmospheres with a laser beam comprising: (a) a gas tight vessel enclosing a workpiece to be welded; (b) a light transmitting means for passage of said laser beam into said vessel, said light transmitting means positioned to permit impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece; (c) a pressure regulating means for controlling gas pressure in the gas tight vessel at a positive pressure; (d) a gas inlet means for introducing a gas stream into said vessel, said gas inlet means positioned to impinge said gas stream on said light transmitting means and intersect said laser beam; and (e) a gas exhaust means for the removal of gas from said vessel.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for welding at pressured atmospheres with a laser beam comprising: (a) a gas tight vessel enclosing a workpiece to be welded; (b) a light transmitting means for passage of said laser beam into said vessel, said light transmitting means positioned to permit impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece; (c) a pressure regulating means for controlling gas pressure in the gas tight vessel at a positive pressure; (d) a gas inlet means for introducing a gas stream into said vessel, said gas inlet means positioned to impinge said gas stream on said light transmitting means and intersect said laser beam; and (e) a gas exhaust means for the removal of gas from said vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process for welding at pressured atmospheres comprising: (a) inserting a workpiece to be welded within a gas tight vessel having a light transmitting means for passage of a laser beam into said vessel, said light transmitting means positioned to permit impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece, said vessel having a gas inlet means for introduction of a gas stream positioned to impinge said gas stream on said light transmitting means and intersecting said laser beam, and a gas exhaust means for removal of gas from said vessel; (b) flowing said gas stream through said vessel and maintaining said gas in the vessel at a positive pressure; (c) directing a laser beam to impinge said workpiece along a predetermined course to provide a weld, and (d) exhausting gas at a pressure lower than the pressure of said gas in the gas tight vessel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process for welding at pressured atmospheres comprising: (a) inserting a workpiece to be welded within a gas tight vessel having a light transmitting means for passage of a laser beam into said vessel, said light transmitting means positioned to permit impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece, said vessel having a gas inlet means for introduction of a gas stream positioned to impinge said gas stream on said light transmitting means and intersecting said laser beam, and a gas exhaust means for removal of gas from said vessel; (b) flowing said gas stream through said vessel and maintaining said gas in the vessel at a positive pressure; (c) directing a laser beam to impinge said workpiece along a predetermined course to provide a weld, and (d) exhausting gas at a pressure lower than the pressure of said gas in the gas tight vessel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-23 | 1983-01-22 | 1983-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-23 | 1987-01-22 | 1987-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-23 | 1991-01-22 | 1991-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |