US4733047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spot welding technique
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1987-02-20
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Granted: 1988-03-22
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Expires: 2007-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A beam (18) from a single laser source (16) is divided into a plurality of beams (24,30). Each beam (24,30) is directed into one end of a different lightguide fiber (36,38) having equal lengths so as to pass therethrough. The opposite ends of the fibers (36,38) are located proximate inner and outer sleeves (12 and 14) which are simultaneously spot welded at a plurality of sites by the beams exiting the fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 David G. Cruickshank
- 👤 Robert Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:17
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/067; B23K26/0676; B23K26/20; B23K26/21; B23K26/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of fabricating an article comprising the steps of: bonding a first body to a second body by irradiating the bodies with a plurality of laser beams derived from a single laser source; and completing the fabrication of said article, characterized in that said bonding step comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser light; splitting the beam into a plurality of independent beams; directing each independent beam into a first end of a separate one of a plurality of lightguide fibers so a portion of each independent beam passes therethrough; and positioning the opposite end of each fiber proximate the bodies to simultaneously bond the bodies together at a plurality of spaced sites with the independent beams passing through the fibers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of fabricating an article comprising the steps of: bonding a first body to a second body by irradiating the bodies with a plurality of laser beams derived from a single laser source; and completing the fabrication of said article, characterized in that said bonding step comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser light; splitting the beam into a plurality of independent beams; directing each independent beam into a first end of a separate one of a plurality of lightguide fibers so a portion of each independent beam passes therethrough; and positioning the opposite end of each fiber proximate the bodies to simultaneously bond the bodies together at a plurality of spaced sites with the independent beams passing through the fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the bodies are simultaneously bonded to each other at opposed locations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the beam is split by: directing the beam of light toward a mirror to divide said source beam into two identical beams of equal power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the first and second bodies are inner and outer sleeves, respectively.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for bonding a first article to a second article, the apparatus comprising: means for generating a coherent beam of laser light; means for splitting the beam to form a plurality of independent beams, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises: means for directing each independent beam into one end of a separate one of a plurality of lightguide fibers so at least a portion of each beam passes therethrough; and means for positioning the opposite ends of the fibers proximate the article to simultaneously bond the articles together at a plurality of opposed sites with the beams passing through the fibers.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for bonding a first article to a second article, the apparatus comprising: means for generating a coherent beam of laser light; means for splitting the beam to form a plurality of independent beams, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises: means for directing each independent beam into one end of a separate one of a plurality of lightguide fibers so at least a portion of each beam passes therethrough; and means for positioning the opposite ends of the fibers proximate the article to simultaneously bond the articles together at a plurality of opposed sites with the beams passing through the fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the articles are bonded to each other at opposed locations thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the first and second articles are inner and outer sleeves, respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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JPS5785687A
Cited
US4487477A
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-22 | 1991-09-21 | 1992-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-22 | 1995-09-21 | 1996-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-09-21 | 2000-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |