Abstract: The water heater (2) or steam generator comprises a chamber (4) in two sections (5, 6) formed in particular by stamping. Inside this chamber a heating element (8) is arranged, which has a spiral-shaped main section (10) and two end sections (11, 12) passing through two circular openings of the chamber. The two end sections are welded to the chamber by a laser beam such that the weld obtained is continuous and ensures a good mechanical fixture of the heating element and an adequate tightness for the water heater or steam generator. For this purpose, a flange (18) is arranged at the periphery of each opening. Moreover, the two sections of the chamber have a widened edge (28) to allow them to be welded effectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser spot welding process for executing a spot weld in two successive steps, namely a first step of preparing the surface state of the material to be welded and a second step of welding as such. The luminous energy (BR) reflected by the weld region of the material is measured in real time during the first step and then processed by a controller circuit (37) connected to a control circuit (30) of the laser source (31). In this way, the characteristics (LM) of the laser beam are adjusted in real time as a function of the measurements effected to allow effective control of the quality of the weld obtained, and in particular of its dimensions. The invention also relates to a welding device for implementing this process.

Abstract: The water heater (2) or steam generator comprises a chamber (4) in two sections (5, 6) formed in particular by stamping. Inside this chamber a heating element (8) is arranged, which has a spiral-shaped main section (10) and two end sections (11, 12) passing through two circular openings of the chamber. The two end sections are welded to the chamber by a laser beam such that the weld obtained is continuous and ensures a good mechanical fixture of the heating element and an adequate tightness for the water heater or steam generator. For this purpose, a flange (18) is arranged at the periphery of each opening. Moreover, the two sections of the chamber have a widened edge (28) to allow them to be welded effectively.

Abstract: The laser machining device is provided for drilling holes in components of a fluid injection device, particularly for injecting fuel into a combustion engine. The laser resonator is formed by an optically pumped diode laser solid state active medium. The resonator is arranged for supplying primary pulses in the microsecond range. Modulation means are arranged between the resonator and a machining head for modulating the amplitude of the primary pulses supplied by the resonator, so as to obtain a secondary pulse train of smaller length for each of said pulses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting parts (4) to be machined, using a pulsed laser (6) that outputs a beam (12) of laser pulses. The method is characterised in that a given cut is carried out using a single laser pulse, essentially for forming an opening (14) in the machined part. To this end, the method comprises a quick relative movement between the part and the laser beam (12) with a pulse duration that is sufficiently long, depending on the relative movement, so that the laser beam can run at least on the predetermined length for a given cut. Each laser pulse preferably has an initial power peak for piercing the machined part when the cutting operation is carried out in an inner region of the part.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for generating a rotating laser beam (5) which may used for various applications including welding, cutting, drilling or ablation of materials. More particularly, the apparatus is able to produce a fast rotating and accurate laser beam, because the main optical device (100) that is rotated consists of a reflecting surface (102) rotating about an axis (X1) that it intersects.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing a needle, of the type used in the medical field. This needle is formed by a pulsed laser weld for joining a first portion having a pointed end and a second end having the shape of a tube and for receiving, in a subsequent step, the end of a suture thread. During the welding step, the needle and the incident laser beam are driven in a relative rotational movement whose speed is adjusted such that during the duration of a laser beam pulse, at least one complete revolution is carried out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for generating a rotating laser beam (5) which may used for various applications including welding, cutting, drilling or ablation of materials. More particularly, the apparatus (1) according to the present invention is able to produce a fast rotating and accurate laser beam, because the main optical device (100) that is rotated consists of a first reflecting surface (102) rotating about an axis (X1), a second reflecting surface (26) having an annular shape, wherein the first reflecting surface (102) redirects said laser beam in to the direction of the second reflecting surface (26), which reflects said laser beam towards said axis (X1).

Abstract: The water heater (2) or steam generator comprises a chamber (4) in two sections (5, 6) formed in particular by stamping. Inside this chamber a heating element (8) is arranged, which has a spiral-shaped main section (10) and two end sections (11, 12) passing through two circular openings of the chamber. The two end sections are welded to the chamber by a laser beam such that the weld obtained is continuous and ensures a good mechanical fixture of the heating element and an adequate tightness for the water heater or steam generator. For this purpose, a flange (18) is arranged at the periphery of each opening. Moreover, the two sections of the chamber have a widened edge (28) to allow them to be welded effectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser spot welding process for executing a spot weld in two successive steps, namely a first step of preparing the surface state of the material to be welded and a second step of welding as such. The luminous energy (BR) reflected by the weld region of the material is measured in real time during the first step and then processed by a controller circuit (37) connected to a control circuit (30) of the laser source (31). In this way, the characteristics (LM) of the laser beam are adjusted in real time as a function of the measurements effected to allow effective control of the quality of the weld obtained, and in particular of its dimensions.

Abstract: The device is provided with at least one laser diode (2) and two electric connecting members for connection to an electric power supply (8) for supplying said at least one laser diode. It includes two elements (14, 16) which can be elastically deformed or moved, which are conductive electrically and arranged in a base electrically insulated from the two connecting members. The two elastically deformable or moveable elements are electrically connected and arranged so as to abut against two respective contact surfaces (34, 36) of the two connecting members when the device is not connected to said power supply by means of an external connector (40) which is complementary to the two electric connecting members. The two elastically deformable or moveable elements are respectively separated from the two connecting members when the external connector is introduced or are able to be respectively separated from said two connecting members when the external connector is introduced.

Abstract: The laser device (2) includes a frontal housing (4) arranged to receive a laser beam (8) at its input opening (6). Within the frontal housing (4) are provided optical guiding devices for the incoming laser beam (8) which define optical paths (10, 12) leading from the input opening (6) to two machining heads (14, 16) arranged so that the two optical paths are extended respectively within the two machining heads up to the respective output openings of the latter. The two optical paths (10, 12) respectively leaving the two machining heads (14, 16) define two optical axes (22, 24) which cross each other and together define a machining plane. The laser machining device (2) is particularly suited to machining connecting rods for engines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cutting an aperture in a device (1) by means of a laser beam (9), said device comprising a wall (2) having first (5) and second (6) opposing surfaces, and a third surface (7) separated from said wall (2) along the path (11) of said laser beam (9), said method comprising the steps of:(a) causing said laser beam (9) to be incident upon said first surface (10) so as to cut through said wall (2) and form said aperture, and(b) introducing fluid between said second (6) and third (7) surfaces in the path (11) of said laser beam (9) so as to thereby prevent damage to said third surface (7) when said laser beam has cut through said wall.The invention may be used to cut aperture in devices such as injector nozzles syringe needles, medical stents and fluid/air control valves.

Abstract: An apparatus having a first generator designed to produce a first beam of coherent light, the energy of which is concentrated in a succession of impulses each capable causing a microexplosion in organic tissue at the point to be treated, a second generator designed to produce a second beam of coherent light able to penetrate the thickness of this organic tissue, an optical system designed to focus the first or the second beam on the point to be treated and a beam switch able to selectively direct the first or the second beam towards the optical system. The second beam enables ophthalmologists to perform operations that could not hiterto be performed with know apparatuses, notably operations involving the penetration of a treatment beam into the thickness of the tissues of the eye.

Abstract: A tool designed to operate in a substantially vertical position without contact with a workpiece such as a laser beam machining head comprising an operating member and a support for this member rigidly connected to a machine frame. This operating member comprises mounting means resting at at least three points on a support, this tool also has abutment means impeding displacement of the operating member in a plane substantially perpendicular to its axis (W, W').

Abstract: The arrangement of this invention concerns a surgical apparatus, in particular for ophthalmological use. In addition to a power beam it includes a beam of coherent visible light (29) which is transformed into at least one elementary beam (30) by means of a homogeneous light guide (21). The guide, which may be an optical fiber, is fixed to a rotating element (33) rotating about an axis (2). When the element rotates the elementary beam generates a luminous tubular beam intended to surround the power beam, the whole then being focussed by a lens to a point terminating a treatment cone with a predetermined vertex angle. The rotating element may include means for varying the diameter of the luminous tubular beam such as a transporter (39) bearing one end of the optical fiber and responding to the operation of a screw (45). The arrangement permits, on one hand to localize a point of treatment in the eye and, if necessary, modification of the vertex angle of the treatment cone.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is intended for observation and treatment of a patient, in particular for ophthalmological cases. Such apparatus includes an arrangement (10) for ophthalmological observation and treatment, means (12) for effecting positioning and adjustment of said arrangement (10), an underframe (14) for supporting the means (12) and said arrangement (10) as well as a head rest system (16). In this apparatus the means (12) comprises jointed means permitting rotation of the arrangement (10) around a horizontal axis. The apparatus is applied for observing and treating the eyes of a patient who may be seated or recumbent.

Abstract: The control arrangement (13) of this invention includes a casing on which the hand (22) of a medical practitioner may rest when the position of the point of focus of a laser beam onto a place to be surgically treated is sought. The arrangement includes a roller (20) operated by the thumb (21) and a ball (23) operated by the index finger (24), the roller and the ball respectively displacing the point of focus along a first coordinate axis (Z) and along second and third coordinate axes (X Y). A push button (25) operated by the middle finger (26) controls firing of the laser beam. The arrangement is used in ophthalmology.

Abstract: The invention concerns a contact lens for observation or treatment by irradiation of the eye, in particular the anterior chamber, outside of the optical axis of the eye. The contact lens comprises a Goldmann or Roussel lens having an entrance face which is flat or spherical, a spherical exit face which is applied to the cornea of the eye, a reflecting face and a compensating element, for example a plano-cylindrical lens. The compensating element is fixed on the reflecting face and its function is to create an astigmatism effect which is the reverse of that of the eye, for an incident light beam which enters by way of the entrance face. The contact lens permits highly accurate focusing of the beam on the apex inside the eye, which is particularly useful in ophthalmoscopy and ophthalmotherapy by means of a laser beam.

Abstract: A contact lens arrangement is described for optically examining an eye and/or treating it by light irradiation, in particular the retina, in the region of or away from the optical axis of the eye.The contact lens arrangement comprises a Goldmann lens having a plane entry surface and a spherical exit surface, applied to the cornea of the eye, and a compensating element, e.g. a prism, having an entry surface. The compensating element is fixed to the entry surface of the Goldmann lens and its function is to produce an astigmatism opposite to that of the eye with an incident light beam, entering through its entry surface.This contact lens arrangement enables very accurate focusing of the beam on to a particular point inside the eye.