Patents by Inventor Francisco Villarreal

Francisco Villarreal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • OPTICAL ELEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR VARYING BEAM PARAMETER PRODUCT IN LASER DELIVERY SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20240142786
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser delivery systems feature one or more optical elements for receiving a radiation beam and altering the spatial power distribution thereof, a lens manipulation system for changing a position of at least one optical element within the path of the radiation beam, and a controller for controlling the lens manipulation system to achieve a target altered spatial power distribution on a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Wang-Long ZHOU, Parviz TAYEBATI, Bien CHANN, Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO
  • Cold-Start Acceleration for Wavelength-Beam-Combining Laser Resonators
    Publication number: 20240120713
    Abstract: In various embodiments, cold-start times and performance of wavelength-beam-combining laser resonators are improved via adjustment of the operating wavelengths and/or temperature of beam emitters within the resonators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Wang-Long ZHOU, Bien CHANN, Bryan LOCHMAN, Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO
  • DUAL-WAVELENGTH LASER SYSTEMS AND MATERIAL PROCESSING UTILIZING SUCH SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20240109154
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser beams of two different wavelengths are utilized, sequentially and/or simultaneously, to process workpieces in various processing stages such as melting, piercing, cutting, and welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Wang-Long ZHOU, Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO, Bien CHANN, Mark MORDARSKI, Bryan LOCHMAN
  • Systems and methods for alignment of wavelength beam combining resonators
    Patent number: 11914166
    Abstract: In various embodiments, alignment systems for laser resonators generate near-field and/or far-field images of input beams produced by the laser resonators to enable the alignment of the input beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wang-Long Zhou, Bien Chann, Krzysztof Michal Nowak, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo
  • OPTICAL FIBER STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR MULTI-WAVELENGTH POWER DELIVERY
    Publication number: 20240063599
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser systems and processing techniques utilize multiple laser beams having different wavelengths coupled into optical fibers in which one region thereof is composed of doped or undoped low-OH fused silica, and another region thereof is composed of doped or undoped high-OH fused silica.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Wang-Long ZHOU, Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO, Bien CHANN
  • Optical element arrangements for varying beam parameter product in laser delivery systems
    Patent number: 11906752
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser delivery systems feature one or more optical elements for receiving a radiation beam and altering the spatial power distribution thereof, a lens manipulation system for changing a position of at least one optical element within the path of the radiation beam, and a controller for controlling the lens manipulation system to achieve a target altered spatial power distribution on a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Panasonic Connect North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Wang-Long Zhou, Parviz Tayebati, Bien Chann, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo
  • POLARIZATION-ADJUSTED AND SHAPE-ADJUSTED BEAM OPERATION FOR MATERIALS PROCESSING
    Publication number: 20240053617
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser delivery systems feature variable polarizers and beam shapers for altering the polarization and/or shape of the output beam for processing of various materials. The polarization and/or shape of the beam may be varied based on one or more characteristics of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Parviz TAYEBATI, Bien CHANN, Wang-Long ZHOU, Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO, Robin HUANG
  • Dual-wavelength laser systems and material processing utilizing such systems
    Patent number: 11883904
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser beams of two different wavelengths are utilized, sequentially and/or simultaneously, to process workpieces in various processing stages such as melting, piercing, cutting, and welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wang-Long Zhou, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo, Bien Chann, Mark Mordarski, Bryan Lochman
  • Laser systems utilizing fiber bundles for power delivery and beam switching
    Patent number: 11855408
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the beam parameter product and/or beam shape of a laser beam is adjusted by coupling the laser beam into an optical fiber of a fiber bundle and directing the laser beam onto one or more in-coupling locations on the input end of the optical fiber. The beam emitted at the output end of the optical fiber may be utilized to process a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Connect North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Wang-Long Zhou, Bien Chann, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo, Parviz Tayebati
  • Polarization-adjusted and shape-adjusted beam operation for materials processing
    Patent number: 11852838
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser delivery systems feature variable polarizers and beam shapers for altering the polarization and/or shape of the output beam for processing of various materials. The polarization and/or shape of the beam may be varied based on one or more characteristics of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Connect North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Parviz Tayebati, Bien Chann, Wang-Long Zhou, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo, Robin Huang
  • MATERIAL PROCESSING UTILIZING A LASER HAVING A VARIABLE BEAM SHAPE
    Publication number: 20230405718
    Abstract: In various embodiments, workpieces are processed, e.g., via welding or cutting, while the shape and/or one or more other parameters of the laser processing beam are altered. The shape and/or one or more other parameters of the laser processing beam may be varied based on one or more characteristics of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Parviz TAYEBATI, Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO, Wang-Long ZHOU, Bien CHANN
  • SILOXANE MITIGATION FOR LASER SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20230402817
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the concentration and deposition of siloxane materials within components of laser systems, such as laser resonators, is reduced or minimized utilizing mitigation systems that may also supply gas having low siloxane levels into multiple different components in series or in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Bryan LOCHMAN, Wang-Long ZHOU, Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO, Bien CHANN
  • MATERIAL PROCESSING UTILIZING HIGH-FREQUENCY BEAM SHAPING
    Publication number: 20230333339
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser emissions are steered into different regions of an optical fiber, and/or into different optical fibers, in a temporal pattern such that an output has different spatial output profiles. The temporal pattern has a frequency sufficient such that a workpiece is processed by an effective output shape combining the different spatial output profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Mark MORDARSKI, Bryan Lochman, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo
  • Material processing utilizing a laser having a variable beam shape
    Patent number: 11780029
    Abstract: In various embodiments, workpieces are processed, e.g., via welding or cutting, while the shape and/or one or more other parameters of the laser processing beam are altered. The shape and/or one or more other parameters of the laser processing beam may be varied based on one or more characteristics of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Connect North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Parviz Tayebati, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo, Wang-Long Zhou, Bien Chann
  • Siloxane mitigation for laser systems
    Patent number: 11769986
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the concentration and deposition of siloxane materials within components of laser systems, such as laser resonators, is reduced or minimized utilizing mitigation systems that may also supply gas having low siloxane levels into multiple different components in series or in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bryan Lochman, Wang-Long Zhou, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo, Bien Chann
  • LASER SYSTEMS UTILIZING CELLULAR-CORE OPTICAL FIBERS FOR BEAM SHAPING
    Publication number: 20230296827
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the beam parameter product and/or beam shape of a laser beam is adjusted by directing the laser beam across a path along the input end of a cellular-core optical fiber. The beam emitted at the output end of the cellular-core optical fiber may be utilized to process a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO, Wang-Long ZHOU, Parviz TAYEBATI
  • LENS ARRANGEMENTS FOR VARYING NUMERICAL APERTURE IN LASER DELIVERY SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20230291166
    Abstract: In various embodiments, one or more optical elements are utilized to alter the numerical aperture of a radiation beam received from an optical fiber in order to accommodate the properties of a downstream collimator within a laser delivery head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Wang-Long ZHOU, Francisco VILLARREAL-SAUCEDO
  • Material processing utilizing high-frequency beam shaping
    Patent number: 11719897
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser emissions are steered into different regions of an optical fiber, and/or into different optical fibers, in a temporal pattern such that an output has different spatial output profiles. The temporal pattern has a frequency sufficient such that a workpiece is processed by an effective output shape combining the different spatial output profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Mordarski, Bryan Lochman, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo
  • Laser systems utilizing cellular-core optical fibers for beam shaping
    Patent number: 11698482
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the beam parameter product and/or beam shape of a laser beam is adjusted by directing the laser beam across a path along the input end of a cellular-core optical fiber. The beam emitted at the output end of the cellular-core optical fiber may be utilized to process a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Connect North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo, Wang-Long Zhou, Parviz Tayebati
  • Lens arrangements for varying numerical aperture in laser delivery systems
    Patent number: 11695247
    Abstract: In various embodiments, one or more optical elements are utilized to alter the numerical aperture of a radiation beam received from an optical fiber in order to accommodate the properties of a downstream collimator within a laser delivery head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wang-Long Zhou, Francisco Villarreal-Saucedo