US4937424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser machining apparatus
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1988-07-20
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2008-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A laser machining apparatus includes a laser resonator capable of producing a laser beam having a filled-in intensity distribution pattern and a condensing device for converting the beam into a suitable beam to perform an intended machining. A device is provided for regulating phase of the laser beam to improve the condensed laser beam. The apparatus may also include a device for pulsating the beam and a device for changing a focal depth of the beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Koji Yasui
- 👤 Masaaki Tanaka
- 👤 Shigenori Yagi
- 👤 Masaki Kuzumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/105; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08081; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A laser machining apparatus comprising: a laser resonator including a convex or concave enlarging mirror having a partially transmissive central portion; a collimating mirror arranged in opposing relation to said enlarging mirror for reflecting a laser beam, reflected by said enlarging mirror while being enlarged, back to said enlarging mirror; and a bend mirror for bending an output laser beam composed of a first laser beam portion passed through said central portion of said enlarging mirror and a second laser beam portion passed through the other non-reflecting portion of said enlarging mirror to a workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A laser machining apparatus comprising: a laser resonator including a convex or concave enlarging mirror having a partially transmissive central portion; a collimating mirror arranged in opposing relation to said enlarging mirror for reflecting a laser beam, reflected by said enlarging mirror while being enlarged, back to said enlarging mirror; and a bend mirror for bending an output laser beam composed of a first laser beam portion passed through said central portion of said enlarging mirror and a second laser beam portion passed through the other non-reflecting portion of said enlarging mirror to a workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for regulating a difference in phase between said first and said second laser beam portions to obtain a suitable intensity distribution pattern of said output laser beam to an intended laser machining.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 2, where said means comprises a portion of said enlarging mirror having a thickness different from that of the other portion thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means comprises a portion of said collimating mirror which stepped with respect to the other portion thereof
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means comprises a portion of said bend mirror stepped with respect to the other portion thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stepped portion of said collimating mirror is movable with respect to said the other portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said collimating mirror is supported by a member having a length which varies periodically according to an external control.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said bend mirror is supported by a member having a length which varies periodically according to an external control.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ratio of the diameter of the central portion to the outer diameter and the reflectivity of the enlarging mirror are such that said laser resonator is of a stable type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said laser resonator is of unstable type.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
A laser machining apparatus comprising: an unstable laser resonator including a convex or concave enlarging mirror having a partially transmissive central portion; a collimating mirror arranged in opposing relation to said enlarging mirror for reflecting a laser beam, reflected by said enlarging mirror while being enlarged, back to said enlarging mirror, for obtaining an output laser beam composed of a first laser beam portion passed through said central portion of said enlarging mirror and a second laser beam portion passed through the other non-reflecting portion of said enlarging mirror; and condenser means for condensing said output laser beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
A laser machining apparatus comprising: an unstable laser resonator including a convex or concave enlarging mirror having a partially transmissive central portion; a collimating mirror arranged in opposing relation to said enlarging mirror for reflecting a laser beam, reflected by said enlarging mirror while being enlarged, back to said enlarging mirror, for obtaining an output laser beam composed of a first laser beam portion passed through said central portion of said enlarging mirror and a second laser beam portion passed through the other non-reflecting portion of said enlarging mirror; and condenser means for condensing said output laser beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising means for regulating a difference in phase between said first and said second laser beam portions to obtain a suitable intensity distribution pattern of said laser beam to an intended laser machining.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein said laser beam is circular-polarized.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
A laser machining apparatus comprising: an unstable laser resonator including a convex of concave enlarging mirror having a partially transmissive central portion; a collimating mirror arranged in opposing relation to said enlarging mirror for reflecting a laser beam, reflected by said enlarging mirror while being enlarged, back to said enlarging mirror, for obtaining an output laser beam composed of a first laser beam portion passed through said central portion of said enlarging mirror and a second laser beam portion passed through the other non-reflecting portion of said enlarging mirror; a machining lens arranged in the vicinity of said workpiece; and a condenser means for condensing said laser beam in the vicinity of said machining lens.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
115 words
A laser machining apparatus comprising: an unstable laser resonator including a convex of concave enlarging mirror having a partially transmissive central portion; a collimating mirror arranged in opposing relation to said enlarging mirror for reflecting a laser beam, reflected by said enlarging mirror while being enlarged, back to said enlarging mirror, for obtaining an output laser beam composed of a first laser beam portion passed through said central portion of said enlarging mirror and a second laser beam portion passed through the other non-reflecting portion of said enlarging mirror; a machining lens arranged in the vicinity of said workpiece; and a condenser means for condensing said laser beam in the vicinity of said machining lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said condenser means comprises a condenser element disposed outside said enlarging mirror.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said enlarging mirror has inner and outer surfaces, said inner and outer surfaces having different radii of curvature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said collimating mirror has a smaller radius of curvature than the curvature to collimate the laser beam reflected by said enlarging mirror.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
109 words
A composite laser machining apparatus comprising: an unstable laser resonator including a convex or concave enlarging mirror having a partially transmissive central portion; a collimating mirror arranged in opposing relation to said enlarging mirror for reflecting a laser beam, reflected by said enlarging mirror while being enlarged back to said enlarging mirror, for obtaining an output laser beam composed of a first laser beam portion passed through said central portion of said enlarging mirror and a second laser beam portion passed through the other non-reflecting portion of said enlarging mirror, wherein a cutting, a welding and a surface treatment of a workpiece are performed by said output laser beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
109 words
A composite laser machining apparatus comprising: an unstable laser resonator including a convex or concave enlarging mirror having a partially transmissive central portion; a collimating mirror arranged in opposing relation to said enlarging mirror for reflecting a laser beam, reflected by said enlarging mirror while being enlarged back to said enlarging mirror, for obtaining an output laser beam composed of a first laser beam portion passed through said central portion of said enlarging mirror and a second laser beam portion passed through the other non-reflecting portion of said enlarging mirror, wherein a cutting, a welding and a surface treatment of a workpiece are performed by said output laser beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composite laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means comprises a condensing element for condensing said output laser beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The composite laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said condensing element has a variable focal length and said respective machinings are performed by changing the focal length of said condensing element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The composite laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein a distance between said condensing element and said workpiece is variable and said respective machinings are performed by changing the distance.
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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) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |