Patents by Inventor Ralf Imhoff

Ralf Imhoff 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).

  • Method and apparatus for processing components in which a molten phase is produced by local energy input
    Patent number: 6423921
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing work piece components in which a molten phase is produced by a local energy input from at least one of an electric arc, a jet of combustible gas, an electron plasma, and a laser beam. At least one transducer is included for imparting oscillations having a frequency above 15 kHz. The oscillations can be imparted to one or more of the components, the region of the molten phase, and/or to any filler material that is added to the region of the molten phase. The apparatus and methods can be used with known thermal soldering, welding and cutting methods to improve the quality of weld beads and cut edges that are formed, and to increase the processing rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Eckhard Beyer, Ralf Imhoff
  • Method and apparatus for processing components in which a molten phase is produced by local energy input
    Publication number: 20010023527
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing work piece components in which a molten phase is produced by a local energy input from at least one of an electric arc, a jet of combustible gas, an electron plasma, and a laser beam. At least one transducer is included for imparting oscillations having a frequency above 15 kHz. The oscillations can be imparted to one or more of the components, the region of the molten phase, and/or to any filler material that is added to the region of the molten phase. The apparatus and methods can be used with known thermal soldering, welding and cutting methods to improve the quality of weld beads and cut edges that are formed, and to increase the processing rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Eckhard Beyer, Ralf Imhoff
  • Hybrid laser and arc process for welding workpieces
    Patent number: 5821493
    Abstract: A welding process in which laser radiation is trained on the seam area fod between two sheet-metal workpieces, one of which has an edge projecting above the other. In addition, the arc is guided along this edge to melt the edge and contribute molten metal to the pool formed by the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Eckhard Beyer, Ralf Imhoff, Jan Neuenhahn, Christof Maier