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).

  • Patent number: 12275084
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers, Matthias Waschicek
  • Publication number: 20240426654
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Labahn, Danny Chan, Patrick Kuhl, Romon Chakrabarti, Andreas Ziemann, Hannes Noack
  • Patent number: 12168263
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Kühl
  • Patent number: 12162093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers
  • Publication number: 20240082961
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Labahn, Danny Chan, Patrick Kuhl, Romon Chakrabarti, Andreas Ziemann, Hannes Noack
  • Publication number: 20230095918
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Romon Chakrabarti, Danny Chan, Patrick Kühl, Hannes Noack, Georg Schmidt, Alexander Müller
  • Publication number: 20230022699
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventor: Patrick Kühl
  • Publication number: 20220063017
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers, Matthias Waschicek
  • Publication number: 20220063020
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Paul Sonntag, Patrick Kühl, Rutger Wevers
  • Patent number: 10604064
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patrick Kuhl, Thomas Hausmann
  • Publication number: 20180361915
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick KUHL, Thomas HAUSMANN
  • Patent number: 9045081
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patrick Kuhl, Frank Bilz, Jens Hewerer, Karl Naab
  • Patent number: 7896533
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Enders, Helmut Erdl, Joachim Ripperger, Patrick Kuhl
  • Publication number: 20090251881
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin ENDERS, Helmut ERDL, Joachim RIPPERGER, Patrick KUHL
  • Publication number: 20070025112
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patrick Kuhl, Frank Bilz, Jens Hewerer, Karl Naab