Patents by Inventor Patrick Kuhl
Patrick Kuhl 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).
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Patent number: 12275084Abstract: A laser processing head for a laser beam uses actuators engaged with a delivery fiber end to deflect the fiber end relative to an optical axis. The laser beam from the fiber end is collimated by a collimator and is then focused by a focusing lens disposed in the head beyond the collimator to a focal point. The focal point of the laser beam is deflected from the optical axis in relation to the deflection of the fiber end. The fiber end and the actuators are housed in a sealed module. Deflection of the laser beam can be sensed by reflecting portion of the laser beam to a sensing element so a control system can monitor and control the fiber end's movement.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers, Matthias Waschicek
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Publication number: 20240426654Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for monitoring a high power laser beam in a laser material processing optical system, and provides a device and method for monitoring a high power laser beam. According to the present disclosure a detailed determination of properties of a high-power laser beam takes place in the direction of an optical fiber or laser beam entering a laser processing head connected to the laser source and these measurements can be performed during the processing operation. The device according to the present disclosure has optical sensors for measuring the intensity and respective current laser power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2023Publication date: December 26, 2024Inventors: Daniel Labahn, Danny Chan, Patrick Kuhl, Romon Chakrabarti, Andreas Ziemann, Hannes Noack
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Patent number: 12168263Abstract: A laser processing head for a laser beam uses actuators engaged with a delivery fiber end to deflect the fiber end relative to an optical axis. The laser beam from the fiber end is collimated by a collimator and is then focused by a focusing component disposed in the head beyond the collimator to a focal point. The focal point of the laser beam is deflected from the optical axis in relation to the deflection of the fiber end. The fiber end and the actuators are housed in a sealed module. Deflection of the laser beam can be sensed by reflecting portion of the laser beam to a sensing element so a control system can monitor and control the fiber end's movement. A mode-stripper in the sealed module removes light from cladding of the delivery fiber, and an actively cooled absorber in the module around the fiber absorbs the energy.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.Inventor: Patrick Kühl
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Patent number: 12162093Abstract: In one example, system includes a source for providing a laser beam and a collimator including a plurality of lenses positioned along a beam path of the laser beam. At least one lens of the plurality of the lenses is transversely movable relative to the laser beam path to induce angular movement or deflection of the laser beam. The collimator is positioned in the beam path and is structured such that the laser beam at the at least one lens has a reduced diameter relative to the diameter of the laser beam exiting the collimator. The systems disclosed herein may be used in connection with systems for laser cutting a component, laser machining a component, or laser welding or otherwise joining two or more components with a laser, amongst other variations.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers
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Publication number: 20240082961Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and a method for monitoring the state of optical elements of a device for laser material processing. According to the present disclosure a detailed monitoring of the state of optical elements of a device for laser material processing takes place by monitoring properties of laser radiation in the direction of an optical fiber or laser radiation entering a laser processing head connected to the laser source and these measurements, which can be performed during the processing process. The device according to the present disclosure has optical sensors for measuring the intensity and respective current laser power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Daniel Labahn, Danny Chan, Patrick Kuhl, Romon Chakrabarti, Andreas Ziemann, Hannes Noack
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Publication number: 20230095918Abstract: A laser processing head for directing a laser beam includes two reflectors and a sole lens element. The first reflector disposed in a housing's interior reflects the laser beam from a source to the second reflector, which then reflects the laser beam toward a process zone for a workpiece. The single lens element is disposed in the housing's interior between the reflectors. The lens element can be moved to adjust a focal position of the laser beam beyond the housing's outlet. To reduce contamination, one or more nozzles are configured to direct purge gas across one or more of the first reflector, the second reflector, and the lens element, while one or more collection areas disposed in the interior are configured to collect contamination directed from the purge gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Romon Chakrabarti, Danny Chan, Patrick Kühl, Hannes Noack, Georg Schmidt, Alexander Müller
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Publication number: 20230022699Abstract: A laser processing head for a laser beam uses actuators engaged with a delivery fiber end to deflect the fiber end relative to an optical axis. The laser beam from the fiber end is collimated by a collimator and is then focused by a focusing component disposed in the head beyond the collimator to a focal point. The focal point of the laser beam is deflected from the optical axis in relation to the deflection of the fiber end. The fiber end and the actuators are housed in a sealed module. Deflection of the laser beam can be sensed by reflecting portion of the laser beam to a sensing element so a control system can monitor and control the fiber end's movement. A mode-stripper in the sealed module removes light from cladding of the delivery fiber, and an actively cooled absorber in the module around the fiber absorbs the energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2021Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventor: Patrick Kühl
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Publication number: 20220063017Abstract: A laser processing head for a laser beam uses actuators engaged with a delivery fiber end to deflect the fiber end relative to an optical axis. The laser beam from the fiber end is collimated by a collimator and is then focused by a focusing lens disposed in the head beyond the collimator to a focal point. The focal point of the laser beam is deflected from the optical axis in relation to the deflection of the fiber end. The fiber end and the actuators are housed in a sealed module. Deflection of the laser beam can be sensed by reflecting portion of the laser beam to a sensing element so a control system can monitor and control the fiber end's movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers, Matthias Waschicek
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Publication number: 20220063020Abstract: In one example, system includes a source for providing a laser beam and a collimator including a plurality of lenses positioned along a beam path of the laser beam. At least one lens of the plurality of the lenses is transversely movable relative to the laser beam path to induce angular movement or deflection of the laser beam. The collimator is positioned in the beam path and is structured such that the laser beam at the at least one lens has a reduced diameter relative to the diameter of the laser beam exiting the collimator. The systems disclosed herein may be used in connection with systems for laser cutting a component, laser machining a component, or laser welding or otherwise joining two or more components with a laser, amongst other variations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers
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Patent number: 10604064Abstract: A motor vehicle has a surroundings lighting device, where the surroundings lighting device includes a first projection module arranged adjacent to a pivotable vehicle door of the motor vehicle in an immobile vehicle bodywork component, where when the first projection module is switched on, the first projection module projects a light distribution onto the ground adjacent to the immobile vehicle bodywork component. A second projection module is arranged on the outside of the vehicle door, where when the second projection module is switched on, the second projection module projects a pictogram onto the ground. The surroundings lighting device is configured to, when an event which is triggered by a user in the surroundings of the motor vehicle is detected, switch on the first projection module and at the same time, or after a delay, switch on the second projection module such that the pictogram is projected onto the light distribution.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Patrick Kuhl, Thomas Hausmann
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Publication number: 20180361915Abstract: A motor vehicle has a surroundings lighting device, where the surroundings lighting device includes a first projection module arranged adjacent to a pivotable vehicle door of the motor vehicle in an immobile vehicle bodywork component, where when the first projection module is switched on, the first projection module projects a light distribution onto the ground adjacent to the immobile vehicle bodywork component. A second projection module is arranged on the outside of the vehicle door, where when the second projection module is switched on, the second projection module projects a pictogram onto the ground. The surroundings lighting device is configured to, when an event which is triggered by a user in the surroundings of the motor vehicle is detected, switch on the first projection module and at the same time, or after a delay, switch on the second projection module such that the pictogram is projected onto the light distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Patrick KUHL, Thomas HAUSMANN
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Patent number: 9045081Abstract: The invention relates to a device for automatically adjusting the headlight range of a motor vehicle, comprising at least vertically adjustment headlights comprising a control unit provided with a sensor device which is used to detect vehicle and/or ambient data and an evaluation and control device which is used to determine control data for controlling the at least vertically adjustable headlights. The sensor device is embodied as a non-predictable working sensor which is used to detect the vertical roadway curving.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Patrick Kuhl, Frank Bilz, Jens Hewerer, Karl Naab
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Patent number: 7896533Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight is provided having a basic light source, a swiveling device which is equipped for swiveling the basic light source about a basic swiveling angle, and an infrared radiation source which is coupled with the swiveling device such that, when the basic light source is swiveled by the swiveling device about a basic swiveling angle, the infrared radiation source is swiveled by the swiveling device about an infrared swiveling angle deviating from the basic swiveling angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin Enders, Helmut Erdl, Joachim Ripperger, Patrick Kuhl
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Publication number: 20090251881Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight is provided having a basic light source, a swiveling device which is equipped for swiveling the basic light source about a basic swiveling angle, and an infrared radiation source which is coupled with the swiveling device such that, when the basic light source is swiveled by the swiveling device about a basic swiveling angle, the infrared radiation source is swiveled by the swiveling device about an infrared swiveling angle deviating from the basic swiveling angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin ENDERS, Helmut ERDL, Joachim RIPPERGER, Patrick KUHL
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Publication number: 20070025112Abstract: The invention relates to a device for automatically adjusting the headlight range of a motor vehicle, comprising at least vertically adjustment headlights comprising a control unit provided with a sensor device which is used to detect vehicle and/or ambient data and an evaluation and control device which is used to determine control data for controlling the at least vertically adjustable headlights. The sensor device is embodied as a non-predictable working sensor which is used to detect the vertical roadway curving.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2006Publication date: February 1, 2007Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Patrick Kuhl, Frank Bilz, Jens Hewerer, Karl Naab