Patent US5164567A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5164567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser cutting with chemical reaction assist
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1991-04-08
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2011-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for cutting with a laser beam where an oxygen-hydrocarbon reaction is used to provide auxiliary energy to a metal workpiece to supplement the energy supplied by the laser. Oxygen is supplied to the laser focus point on the workpiece by a nozzle through which the laser beam also passes. A liquid hydrocarbon is supplied by coating the workpiece along the cutting path with the hydrocarbon prior to laser irradiation or by spraying a stream of hydrocarbon through a nozzle aimed at a point on the cutting path which is just ahead of the focus point during irradiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Gettemy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:27
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/12; B23K26/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for cutting metal in which an oxygen-hydrocarbon reaction is used to provide auxiliary energy to a workpiece, said method being comprised of: a. focusing a laser beam on a workpiece and causing the point of focus on the workpiece to move along a cutting path; b. supplying a stream of oxygen to said moving laser beam focus point on the workpiece; and c. supplying a hydrocarbon to said cutting path on the workpiece prior to laser irradiation, where said hydrocarbon reacts with said oxygen to assist in cutting said workpiece.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for cutting metal in which an oxygen-hydrocarbon reaction is used to provide auxiliary energy to a workpiece, said method being comprised of: a. focusing a laser beam on a workpiece and causing the point of focus on the workpiece to move along a cutting path; b. supplying a stream of oxygen to said moving laser beam focus point on the workpiece; and c. supplying a hydrocarbon to said cutting path on the workpiece prior to laser irradiation, where said hydrocarbon reacts with said oxygen to assist in cutting said workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 where said hydrocarbon is supplied to said workpiece in the form of a coating applied to said cutting path prior to laser irradiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 where said hydrocarbon is supplied to a point on said cutting path ahead of said laser beam focus point at the time of irradiation by means of a hydrocarbon spray nozzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4689467A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |