US4707584A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual-polarization, dual-frequency cutting machine
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1986-12-12
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Granted: 1987-11-17
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Expires: 2006-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A laser beam device for cutting a workpiece in which two circularly polarized beams of opposite polarizations and of slightly different frequencies are combined into the cutting beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihide Kimbara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:47
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/0604; B23K26/0613; B23K26/064; B23K26/0643; B23K26/0648; B23K26/0665; B23K26/70; B23K26/702; B23K26/704
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A laser beam machine for cutting a workpiece with a laser, comprising: a first laser source providing a circularly polarized clockwise laser beam of a first frequency; a second laser source providing a circularly polarized counterclockwise laser beam of a second frequency different from said first frequency; means for combining said clockwise and counter clockwise beams into a combined beam; and means for directing said combined beam along a direction to a workpiece to be cut.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A laser beam machine for cutting a workpiece with a laser, comprising: a first laser source providing a circularly polarized clockwise laser beam of a first frequency; a second laser source providing a circularly polarized counterclockwise laser beam of a second frequency different from said first frequency; means for combining said clockwise and counter clockwise beams into a combined beam; and means for directing said combined beam along a direction to a workpiece to be cut.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A laser beam machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said combined beam is a linearly polarized beam having a polarization vector rotating at a difference frequency between said first and second frequencies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laser beam machine as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second laser sources includes a CO 2 laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laser beam machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said first and second frequencies differ by no more than 3.0×10 12 Hz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A laser beam machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said first and second frequencies differ by approximately 60×10 6 Hz.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of cutting workpiece, comprising the steps of: providing a circularly polarized clockwise laser beam of a first frequency; provide a circularly polarized counterclockwise laser beam of a second frequency different from said first frequency; combining said clockwise and counterclockwise beams into a combined beam; and cutting a workpiece with said combined beam.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of cutting workpiece, comprising the steps of: providing a circularly polarized clockwise laser beam of a first frequency; provide a circularly polarized counterclockwise laser beam of a second frequency different from said first frequency; combining said clockwise and counterclockwise beams into a combined beam; and cutting a workpiece with said combined beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3229095A
Cited
US4336439A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-05-18 | 1991-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-05-18 | 1995-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-16 | 1999-05-18 | 1999-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |