US5293265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Real time variable laser beam spinner
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1992-08-24
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Granted: 1994-03-08
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Expires: 2012-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A real time variable laser beam spinner, wherein a manual or programmable actuator angularly displaces a mirror or optical flat during rotation in order to follow the instantaneous spin diameter requirements associated with a workpiece, whereby a variable effective spin diameter of the beam results without interrupting the work process.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Aleshin
- 👤 Lorne A. Weeter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/08; B23K26/082; G02B26/0875
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A real time variable laser beam spinning apparatus comprising; optical means adapted to deflect an incident laser beam when said optical means is tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to said incident beam; means coupled to said optical means for imparting a rotational movement to said optical means about an axis non-parallel to a plane of said optical means; and means coupled to said optical means for applying a predetermined and variable tilted position to said optical means during rotation, said tilted position applying means including displaceable means coupled to said optical means; and control means coupled to said displaceable means for displacing said displaceable means for a predetermined tilted distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A real time variable laser beam spinning apparatus comprising; optical means adapted to deflect an incident laser beam when said optical means is tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to said incident beam; means coupled to said optical means for imparting a rotational movement to said optical means about an axis non-parallel to a plane of said optical means; and means coupled to said optical means for applying a predetermined and variable tilted position to said optical means during rotation, said tilted position applying means including displaceable means coupled to said optical means; and control means coupled to said displaceable means for displacing said displaceable means for a predetermined tilted distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said displaceable means includes a pressure plate, an actuator means operationally coupled to said pressure plate, said pressure plate being operationally coupled to means mounting said optical means and for determining a lower limit of displacement of said optical means at said tilted position thereof, and pivot means at said tilted position thereof, and pivot means fixed in position for determining the upper limit of displacement of said optical means, whereby during rotation of said optical means a rotary oscillatory motion is generated resulting in an increased effective spin diameter of an incident beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includes actuating means coupled to said displaceable means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises manually operable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises programmable control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means is a reflective mirror means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means is a laser transparent optical flat means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said laser beam is a CO 2 laser beam and said optical flat means is made from Zinc Selenide (ZnSe).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said displaceable means includes pressure plate means, actuator means coupled to said pressure plate means, said pressure plate means being coupled to said optical means for displacing said optical means into said tilted position, when actuated, pressure plate actuator means operationally coupled to said pressure plate means and adapted to respond to a controlled displacement force input determining the extent of said tilted position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pressure plate means includes a ramp surface having a predetermined direction, said pressure plate actuator means having a ramp surface directed opposite the ramp surface of the pressure plate means, said ramp surfaces are arranged in sliding relationship with respect to each other, said controlled displacement force input when applied to said pressure plate actuator means forcing the ramp surface thereof to slide over the ramp surface of said pressure plate means and forcing said pressure plate means to be displaced to a predetermined distance and direction to cause said predetermined tilting position of said optical means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, including means for biasing said pressure plate actuator means into a rest position in the absence of said controlled displacement force input.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein displacement of said actuator means determines a lower limit of said tilted position, pivot means coupling said optical means to said pressure plate means for rotation about said pivot means and determining the upper limit of said displacement of the optical means, whereby during rotation a rotary oscillatory motion of said optical means is generated about said pivot means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said optical means comprises a mirror.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
A real time variable laser beam spinning apparatus, comprising: a reflector to reflect an incident laser beam; a base plate, said reflector being pivotally coupled to said base plate to position said reflector at a predetermined angle with respect to the incident laser beam; a motor with a drive shaft coupled to said base plate to rotate said reflector about an axis non-parallel to said reflector; and means for pivoting said reflector at the predetermined angle and for variably pivoting said reflector during rotation thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
A real time variable laser beam spinning apparatus, comprising: a reflector to reflect an incident laser beam; a base plate, said reflector being pivotally coupled to said base plate to position said reflector at a predetermined angle with respect to the incident laser beam; a motor with a drive shaft coupled to said base plate to rotate said reflector about an axis non-parallel to said reflector; and means for pivoting said reflector at the predetermined angle and for variably pivoting said reflector during rotation thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
A real time variable laser beam spinning apparatus, comprising: a beam tube for enclosing a laser beam; a laser transparent optical flat disposed in said beam tube to deflect the laser beam when said optical flat is tilted at a predetermined tilt angle with respect to the laser beam; means for rotating said optical flat about an axis non-parallel to a plane of said optical flat; and means for applying and varying said predetermined tilt angle during rotation of said optical flat to cause the laser beam to follow a substantially circular shaped path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
A real time variable laser beam spinning apparatus, comprising: a beam tube for enclosing a laser beam; a laser transparent optical flat disposed in said beam tube to deflect the laser beam when said optical flat is tilted at a predetermined tilt angle with respect to the laser beam; means for rotating said optical flat about an axis non-parallel to a plane of said optical flat; and means for applying and varying said predetermined tilt angle during rotation of said optical flat to cause the laser beam to follow a substantially circular shaped path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-07 | 1997-09-06 | 1998-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-07 | 2001-09-06 | 2002-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-09-06 | 2006-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |