US4638143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Robot-laser system
Assignee: Fanuc Robotics North America Inc
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Filing: 1985-01-23
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Granted: 1987-01-20
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Expires: 2005-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A robot-laser system having at least one mirror under active program control for reflecting a laser beam from a fixed laser beam source to a desired location. Preferably, first and second mirrors are mounted on an outer arm of the robot to move therewith and rotate relative thereto. A third mirror reflects the laser beam to the first and second mirrors. A programmable servo system automatically moves each of the mirrors relative to and in synchronization with movement of the moving parts of the robot. Each of the mirror is mounted for rotation about a pair of intersecting axes so that the laser beam strikes the point of intersection. In one of the disclosed embodiments a fourth mirror reflects the laser beam from the source to the other mirrors.
Inventors
- 👤 Hadi A. Akeel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:38
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/08; B23K26/0869; B23K26/0876; B23K26/0884; B25; B25J; B25J19/00; B25J19/0025; B25J19/0029; B25J19/0037; B25J5/00; B25J5/02; B25J9/00; B25J9/02; B25J9/04; B25J9/046; B25J9/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A robot-laser system for providing a laser beam at a desired location, the system comprising: a laser beam source; a robot including a plurality of movable parts including a hollow robot arm having a central axis along which the laser source directs the laser beam; at least one mirror for reflecting the laser beam from the source to the desired location, said mirror being mounted within the robot arm to move therewith and relative thereto to about a transverse axis that extends angularly to the central axis of the robot arm; and an automatic programmable control system for automatically moving said mirror about said transverse axis relative to and in synchronization with movement of the robot arm to thereby direct the laser beam to the desired location as the arm is moved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A robot-laser system for providing a laser beam at a desired location, the system comprising: a laser beam source; a robot including a plurality of movable parts including a hollow robot arm having a central axis along which the laser source directs the laser beam; at least one mirror for reflecting the laser beam from the source to the desired location, said mirror being mounted within the robot arm to move therewith and relative thereto to about a transverse axis that extends angularly to the central axis of the robot arm; and an automatic programmable control system for automatically moving said mirror about said transverse axis relative to and in synchronization with movement of the robot arm to thereby direct the laser beam to the desired location as the arm is moved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
150 words
A robot-laser system for providing a laser beam at a desired location, the system comprising: a laser beam source; a robot having a plurality of movable parts including a hollow robot arm having a central axis along which the laser source directs the laser beam; at least two mirrors for reflecting the laser beam from the source to the desired location, each of said mirrors being mounted within its respective movable part including said robot arm to move therewith, wherein each of the mirrors is rotatable relative to its respective movable part about a transverse axis that extends angularly to the central axis of the robot arm; and an automatic programmable control system for automatically rotating each of said mirror about their respective transverse axes relative to and in synchronization with movement of its respective movable parts and relative to and in synchronization with rotary movement of the other mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
150 words
A robot-laser system for providing a laser beam at a desired location, the system comprising: a laser beam source; a robot having a plurality of movable parts including a hollow robot arm having a central axis along which the laser source directs the laser beam; at least two mirrors for reflecting the laser beam from the source to the desired location, each of said mirrors being mounted within its respective movable part including said robot arm to move therewith, wherein each of the mirrors is rotatable relative to its respective movable part about a transverse axis that extends angularly to the central axis of the robot arm; and an automatic programmable control system for automatically rotating each of said mirror about their respective transverse axes relative to and in synchronization with movement of its respective movable parts and relative to and in synchronization with rotary movement of the other mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said mirrors is rotatable about a pair of intersecting axes of rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as claimed in claim 3 wherein said mirrors are arranged and are movable so that the laser beam strikes each of the mirrors at the intersection of the two axes of rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as claimed in claim 2 including a third mirror rotatable about a pair of axes of rotation for reflecting the laser beam from the source to the other mirrors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as claimed in claim 5 including a frame member fixed relative to said robot and wherein said third mirror is mounted for movement about the two axes thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as claimed in claim 5 including a fourth mirror for reflecting the light from the source to the third mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as claimed in claim 7 wherein said fourth mirror is non-rotatable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said control system comprises a servo system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 including a track wherein said robot is mounted on said track to move thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said source is fixed relative to said robot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as claimed in claim 2 wherein said robot includes an outer arm and wherein said mirrors are mounted for rotation on said outer arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as claimed in claim 12 wherein said outer arm is hollow and wherein said mirrors are mounted therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as claimed in claim 13 including a third mirror for reflecting light from the source to the other mirrors and further including shielding means extending between the third mirror and the other mirrors to shield the laser beam from the ambient.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 including focusing means mounted on said robot for focusing the reflected laser beam at the desired location.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as claimed in claim 15 wherein said focusing means comprises a focusing lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said robot comprises a three-axes manipulator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-07-21 | 1991-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-19 | 1994-07-21 | 1995-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-19 | 1998-07-21 | 1999-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |