Welding Patents (Class 219/121.63)
  • Patent number: 7786404
    Abstract: A plurality of stretches of laser weld are executed on a structure to be welded by means of a device for focusing and orientation of the laser beam, which is associated to a component element of a manipulator robot. The focusing head is kept in the proximity of, but not closely adjacent to, the different areas to be welded and can consequently follow a simplified path, whilst the device for orientation of the laser beam aims the latter on the different areas of the structure to be welded, so that the speed of travel of the laser beam spot along the longitudinal direction of the weld stretch is independent from the speed of travel of the robot end element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Menin, Arturo Baroncelli, Enrico Mauletti
  • Publication number: 20100213179
    Abstract: A welding system is provided, in which two electrodes are directed at a joint between two work pieces and the electrodes are energized with DC pulse or AC welding waveforms at a controlled waveform phase angle. The systems include a synchronizing controller to synchronize the welding waveforms, and a work point allocation system provides one or more work point values to the welding machines to provide synergic control of the welding according to a user selected system work point value or parameter. The systems and methods further provide for synchronized work point value modulation for the opposite sides of a dual fillet weld. The system and method further provide a high energy heat source that directs intense heat at a portion of the weld joint to improve weld penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Lincoln Global, Inc
    Inventor: Steven R. Peters
  • Publication number: 20100206856
    Abstract: A laser welding method including a step of welding upper and lower metal plates, a step of picking up an image of a molten pool near a molten hole from the side of the upper metal plate during an execution of the welding step, a step of determining whether a welding state of the metal plates is proper or not by analyzing a generation state of the molten pool based on the image picked up in the picking-up step, and a step of adjusting at least one of a parameter of the irradiated laser beams and a feeding speed of the filler wire so that the welding state of the metal plates becomes proper in case the welding state determined in the determining step is not proper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chikara TANAKA, Yoichiro KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20100206857
    Abstract: A device for laser processing, in which the device includes: a laser including a resonator, the resonator being configured to generate a laser beam with a predetermined caustic during operation of the device; and an optical element to transform a laser beam generated by the resonator into a transformed laser beam having an annular intensity distribution in a plane perpendicular to a propagation direction of the transformed laser beam during operation of the device, in which the annular intensity distribution extends along the propagation direction of the transformed laser beam, and has, at a minimum diameter of a caustic of the transformed laser beam, a beam radius and a ring width corresponding to 50% of a maximum beam intensity in a radial direction of the transformed laser beam, and a ratio of the ring width to the beam radius is less than 0.6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TRUMPF LASER- UND SYSTEMTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Bea, Joachim Schulz, Hartmut Zefferer
  • Patent number: 7763826
    Abstract: A method and system for rigidly connecting a first metallic plate to a second metallic plate are provided. The first plate over the second plate, and a force is applied to at least one first location of the first plate using a clamping arrangement so as to tightly couple the first plate to the second plate in a proximity of the first location. Then, the beam source is caused to generate a beam to irradiate the first plate at the first location to produce a molten material. In this manner, at least one irradiated section of the first plate is melted throughout its thickness and rigidly connected to the second plate using the molten material. During the irradiation, the first plate and the clamping arrangement are translated with respect to one another to reach at least one second location. It is also possible to provide a bonding layer or a soldering layer between the first and second layers, which can be used to rigidly connect the first and second layers to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Meir Chen
  • Patent number: 7763827
    Abstract: Methods and systems for laser welding using a galvanometer to deliver laser energy in a multiple point sequence for high-speed and low-temperature welding of batteries, capacitors, medical devices, and related medical device components or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason T. Papenfuss, David J. Buendorf
  • Patent number: 7759601
    Abstract: An underwater laser processing apparatus includes an optical unit and a nozzle. The optical unit irradiates a condensed laser beam generated by a YAG laser source to a certain point on a underwater workpiece. The nozzle has a gas exit for supplying a gas to the certain point. In the nozzle, an area surrounding the gas exit extends to the surface of the workpiece. This area keeps the supplied gas between the nozzle and the workpiece to improve the underwater laser process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masataka Tamura, Seiichiro Kimura, Yuuichi Motora, Hidenori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7759603
    Abstract: A method for combined laser-arc welding and a device for combined laser-arc welding uses a device for controlling a laser unit for producing a laser beam according to a welding torch for producing an arc in order to optimize the energy balance and to adapt the combined laser-arc welding process to the respective conditions. The device for controlling the laser unit is connected with a detector that detects the arc voltage or the arc current. The laser output is adapted to the arc output and is controlled by a closed control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Aigner, Heinz Hackl
  • Patent number: 7759602
    Abstract: A laser processing head comprises nozzle-holding means (5) for holding a nozzle in which a nozzle hole (11) is formed; condensing optical system-holding means (3) for holding a condensing optical system (2), the condensing optical system-holding means being slidably arranged in the nozzle-holding means while maintaining sealing, moving means (6) for slide-moving the nozzle-holding means and the condensing optical system-holding means relative to each other; gas-feeding means (13, 19) for feeding a gas into a laser processing head chamber (8) formed between the condensing optical system of the condensing optical system-holding means and the nozzle hole of the nozzle-holding means; passages (31) formed in the nozzle-holding means to communicate the laser processing head chamber with the exterior of the nozzle-holding means; slide members (33) that slide in the passages while maintaining sealing; and coupling means (35) for coupling the slide members to the condensing optical system-holding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Mori, Ryoma Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20100176097
    Abstract: An arrangement for the repair of BLISK blades damaged at their leading and trailing edges by use of laser deposition welding, includes a laser source and laser optics for generating a focused laser beam (26) and a powder line (35) connected to a powder reservoir for supplying metal powder to be melted by the laser beam to the weld area. A modular, tubularly elongated welding apparatus (7) with a connection module (13) which is connected to a laser source and in which the entering laser beam is deflected in longitudinal direction and parallelized, and to the one side of the connection module (13) is connected to a camera module for a CCD camera (12) enabling the precise positioning of the welding apparatus and the deposition of the molten metal powder on the respective blade to be monitored and controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Leping ZHU
  • Patent number: 7753083
    Abstract: Connecting ends on a hose piece comprising several metal layers, in particular a strip wound metal hose piece, are produced by fixing the overlapping metal layers of a hose of larger length or of an endless hose in the region of the point of separation through welding and subsequently cutting off the hose piece from the longer hose or the endless hose. For simple and inexpensive fixing of the metal layers in the region of the point of separation, a welding seam is generated which extends through at least part of the periphery of the hose or about its entire periphery, using roller seam welding. The hose piece can subsequently be separated along the welding seam obtained in this manner, e.g. along its central line, thereby ensuring permanent and reliable fixing of the metal layers in the region of the connecting end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: BOA Balg- und Kompensatoren- Technologie GmbH
    Inventors: Edward Kern, Marc Pontzen, Stephen Goley
  • Patent number: 7740797
    Abstract: In photo-shaping a target object executed by a photo-shaping machine (10) along with a computing device (1), a first path (P1) is generated as a light beam irradiation path on the basis of contour data of each section sliced at a specified pitch of three-dimensional CAD model data of the target object desired to be formed, and the first parameter data. A second path (P2) is generated as a removal processing path on the basis of the three-dimensional CAD model data, the second parameter data, and removing timing data showing a timing of executing the removal process. Driving programs (P3) are generated for executing the photo-shaping process including the light beam irradiation and the removal process, on the basis of the first path data, second path data and removing timing data, thereby performing the photo-shaping and removal process according to the driving programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Abe, Hirokazu Shinkai
  • Publication number: 20100140233
    Abstract: The object is to provide a laser processing apparatus, a laser processing temperature measuring apparatus, a laser processing method, and a laser processing temperature measuring method which can highly accurately detect the processing temperature when carrying out processing such as welding with laser light. A laser processing apparatus 1A for processing members DR, UR to be processed by irradiating the members with laser light LB comprises a laser (semiconductor laser unit 20A) for generating the laser light LB; optical means for converging the laser light LB generated by the laser onto processing areas DA, UA; and a filter 30, disposed between the members DR, UR to be processed and the optical means, for blocking a wavelength of fluorescence generated by the optical means upon pumping with the laser light LB; wherein light having the wavelength blocked by the filter 30 is used for measuring a temperature of the processing areas DA, UA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsumoto, Tsuyoshi Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20100140232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping device for clamping at least two components (6, 7) in a radiation-protected machine tool, particularly in a laser welding device (1), comprising—a receptacle (18) for supporting the first component (6), —a clamping head (16) for applying a force to the second component (7) in order to generate clamping pressure at the joint surface (8, 9) between the two components (6, 7), —an inner clamping jaw (11) located within the peripheral beam path (10) of the machine tool, the jaw having a clamping surface (12) for internally clamping the components (6, 7), and—narrow connecting struts (15) for connecting the inner clamping jaw (11) to the external clamping head (16), said connecting struts (15) bridging the passage gap (7) in the clamping head (16) allowing access for the beam path (10) of the machine tool to the components (6, 7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: LPKF LASER & ELECTRONICS AG
    Inventors: Frank Brunnecker, Holger Aldebert, Andreas Kraus
  • Publication number: 20100140234
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing tailored blanks. The device comprises a workpiece carrier for the sheets (15a, 15b) that are to be joined into tailored blanks in the butt joint by welding. The invention further comprises a plurality of laser welding heads (14a, 14b), which are arranged one behind the other over the workpiece carrier and along the butt joint to be welded and can be moved with an advancing device (11a, 11b), wherein the heads can be aligned with the joint using positioning means, wherein at least two combined laser cutting and welding heads (14a, 14b) are carried by at least two independent arms (13a, 13b), each associated with independent units (11a, 11b) of the advancing device, and wherein the positioning means can adjust the distances of the units (11a, 11b) in the direction of the butt joint and also the distances of the cutting and welding heads (14a, 14b) in the transversal direction to the butt joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Lasertechniik GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Alber
  • Publication number: 20100132589
    Abstract: A body frame structure having practically sufficient strength is provided. The body frame structure has a simple structure that can be obtained by simple joining operation. Vertically and horizontally arranged first and second frame members are weld-joined to an outer panel with an end portion of the second frame member facing a side surface of the first frame member. The first frame member is placed in a straddling manner on the outer panel and the end portion of the second frame member weld-joined to the outer panel and is weld-joined to both the second frame member and the outer panel. In this manner, even when the vertically and horizontally arranged first and second frame members are laser-welded to the outer panel, the joint strength can be improved without using a joint plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: THE KINKI SHARYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroji Harada, Tomonori Sumikawa, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Eiichi Kato
  • Patent number: 7729574
    Abstract: The present invention includes a device and method to create a light beam having substantially uniform far-field intensity. Light from a laser source is directed to at least one multimode optical fiber configured produce an intensity profile approximated by a Bessel function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel T Moriarty
  • Patent number: 7723640
    Abstract: A laser welding apparatus having a laser source outputting a laser beam and a light transmitting device being positioned downstream from the laser source. The light transmitting device transmits the laser beam therethrough. The laser beam exiting the light transmitting device has at least a zero order light lobe and a first order light lobe, wherein the zero order light lobe and the first order light lobe together defining an initial beam width. An optical device positioned downstream from the light transmitting device converges the first order light lobe with the zero order light lobe to define a final beam width that is narrower than the initial beam width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Branson Ultrasonics Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Caldwell, Hugh T. McNair
  • Patent number: 7718917
    Abstract: An improved fusion welding system having a heating unit and welding device is adapted for increasing the efficiency of welding a plurality of workpieces. The system preferably presents a single-sided process, and includes first and second electrode wheels operable to heat a portion of the workpieces to a minimum temperature, and a translatable laser cooperatively configured to form a continuous weld within the heated portion. The preferred system provides the advantages of laser welding, such as precision, while enabling weld production at lower laser power outputs or faster welding speeds than conventional laser welding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Jilin University
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Xihua Zhao, He Zhao
  • Patent number: 7718922
    Abstract: An optical processing apparatus that is capable of detecting accurately the sticking status of deposits sticking to optical means in a background of same color as deposits, preventing occurrence of defective soldering due to feeding failure of wire solder, and detecting solder failure when the leading end portion of the wire solder does not reach up to the processing area. This optical processing apparatus comprises light energy output means for producing light energy, a first optical path for guiding the light energy into a work, optical means disposed in the first optical path for shaping the light energy, a second optical path sharing part of the first optical path for guiding the light from the work to photo receiving means, and driving means for changing the relative positions of at least the optical means and the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoko Fukunaka, Masashi Ishiguro, Mamoru Watanabe, Kazuhiko Yamashita, Masahiro Sato, Ryoji Inutsuka, Kenji Takahashi, Toshikazu Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20100102041
    Abstract: An apparatus for comprises a base, a wall, and an opening in the wall. The base has a first end, a second end, and a channel system. The channel system is located closer to the first end than the second end of the base. The wall extends from a side of the base to partially enclose the channel system. The opening in the wall is located closer to the second end than the first end. The shape of the wall is capable of retaining a gas introduced through the channel system in a welding location and causing the gas to move away from the channel system and through the opening in the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Jeff Dean Will, David Scott Nansen, David M. Dembeck
  • Patent number: 7705264
    Abstract: It is disclosed a method of applying a coating (12) with a controlled laser metal forming process. A light source with a specific power and a signal capturing apparatus is moved over an article (1) to form locally a melt pool (7) on the surface (5) of the article (1) to which a coating powder (8) is injected. An optical signal (13) is captured from the melt pool (7), and the monitored optical signal (13) is used for the determination of the temperature and temperature fluctuations of the melt pool (7). Furthermore, a control system (16) is used to adjust at least one process parameter such as the power of the light source to obtain desired melt pool properties. Subsequently the melt pool (7) solidifies. The high degree of control over the microstructure provides an efficient tool for generating laser metal formed hard coatings (12) with optimised wear properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Matthias Hoebel, Edward Obbard, Alexander Schnell
  • Publication number: 20100096369
    Abstract: Disclosed therein is a multi-axis laser welding head for a spacer grid, which is one of essential components of a nuclear fuel assembly. More particularly, the multi-axis laser welding head for the spacer grid can be operated more smoothly and variously during the welding of the spacer grid to thereby weld the spacer grid more exactly and precisely. For this, the multi-axis laser welding head includes a welding head having a movement within a predetermined angle like the back and forth swing of the pendulum, and can irradiate a laser beam in various directions by having additional axis in comparison with the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Korea Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeong-Eun Oh, Hak-beum Park, Yong-kwan Kim, Myoung-ho Oh, Hung-soon Chang, Sang-hyun Lim
  • Publication number: 20100084384
    Abstract: Methods for ultrashort pulse laser processing of optically transparent materials. A method for scribing transparent materials uses ultrashort laser pulses to create multiple scribe features with a single pass of the laser beam across the material, with at least one of the scribe features being formed below the surface of the material. This enables clean breaking of transparent materials at a higher speed than conventional techniques. Slightly modifying the ultrashort pulse laser processing conditions produces sub-surface marks. When properly arranged, these marks are clearly visible with side-illumination and not clearly visible without side-illumination. In addition, a method for welding transparent materials uses ultrashort laser pulses to create a bond through localized heating. The ultrashort pulse duration causes nonlinear absorption of the laser radiation, and the high repetition rate of the laser causes pulse-to-pulse accumulation of heat within the materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: IMRA America, Inc.
    Inventors: James BOVATSEK, Alan Y. Arai, Fumiyo Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20100078412
    Abstract: A welding method is disclosed. The welding method includes making a weld via laser-arc hybrid welding. The welding method also includes using a fiber laser source in the laser-arc hybrid welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Fernando Martinez Diez, Huijun Wang, Howard W. Ludewig, Keith M. Egland
  • Publication number: 20100078411
    Abstract: Powder feed cylinder assemblies and powder feeders are provided. A powder feed cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a bit, and bushings. The cylinder has a main passage, a first feed channel, and a second feed channel, each feed channel at two axial locations between the cylinder's two ends. The bit extends through the main passage and has an outer surface including a helical channel formed thereon. A center bushing is disposed in the main passage between the two axial locations and has a first axially-extending passage through which the bit extends. The first end bushing is disposed in the main passage on one side of the center bushing and has a second axially-extending passage through which the bit extends. The second end bushing is disposed in the cylinder on the other side of the center bushing and has a third axially-extending passage through which the bit extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Malcolm Hughes, James Brown, Vincent Papotto, Phil Roark
  • Publication number: 20100072178
    Abstract: A method for joining materials by laser radiation is provided. The laser radiation is focused onto a focal area, which is small compared to a working area, and a specifiable intensity distribution is achieved over the working area by moving the focal area across the working area. Also provided is a device for joining materials by laser radiation, a focal area of the laser radiation, which is small compared to a working area, being movable across the working area with the aid of movable optical components, and a disk laser or a fiber laser being provided as the source of radiation. The method and the device may make it possible to set almost any intensity distribution over a working area, thus to achieve a reproducible welding process adapted to the joining task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Reiner Ramsayer
  • Publication number: 20100072179
    Abstract: A technique for laser welding an anode lead to an anode termination of an electrolytic capacitor is provided. The technique involves directing a laser beam through one or more refraction elements before it contacts the lead and anode termination. By selectively controlling the index of refraction and thickness of the refraction element, the angle at which the refraction element is positioned relative to the laser beam, etc., the laser beam may be directed to a precise weld location without substantially contacting and damaging other parts of the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: AVX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leos Dvorak, Ales Vyroubal, Rene Kalas, Jozef Honec, Petr Honec
  • Publication number: 20100068132
    Abstract: A shared or common environment membrane reactor containing a plurality of planar membrane modules with top and bottom thin foil membranes supported by both an intermediary porous support plate and a central base which has both solid extended members and hollow regions or a hollow region whereby the two sides of the base are in fluid communication. The membrane reactor operates at elevate temperatures for generating hydrogen from hydrogen rich feed fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas R. Vencill, Anand S. Chellappa, Shailendra B. Rathod
  • Patent number: 7667157
    Abstract: A laser forming system includes a motion system. A mounting fixture is affixed to the motion system for supporting a workpiece. A plenum is affixed to the fixture for surrounding the workpiece. A gas supply is joined in flow communication with the plenum for channeling thereto an inert gas under pressure to fill the plenum. A laser is aligned with the plenum for projecting a laser beam at the workpiece for laser forming thereof inside the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wenwu Zhang, Marshall Gordon Jones, Brian Harlow Farrell
  • Patent number: 7657082
    Abstract: A method of measuring a welding-groove position for an over-lapped fillet welding of thin members, comprising a projection step of projecting a slit light so that the slit light is projected on both the thin members crossing a welding-groove face, a two-dimensional image acquisition step of capturing the slit-light image projected on each of the thin members as two-dimensional images; a three-dimensional conversion step of converting the two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images using a predetermined three-dimensional conversion parameter, and a calculation step of calculating the welding-groove position based on the three-dimensional data of the projected slit-light images, and relative positions between the projected slit-light images in the three-dimensional data defined by shapes and arrangement of the thin members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Kubo, Tadao Shimada, Kazuhiko Onoue, Hirotaka Uehara, Hirotaka Kinoshita, Yukimitsu Suzuki, Ichiro Arita
  • Publication number: 20100018953
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reusable mandrel and method of using the mandrel in a SFFF process. A thermally conductive feature is located on the surface of the mandrel. The mandrel does not bond to the deposited part so that it may be easily removed without damaging either the mandrel or the deposited part. The present invention further enables the manufacture of components where the deposition surface is produced to precision, net shape geometries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Vladimir Shapovalov, Roger S. Storm, James C. Withers, Raouf Loutfy
  • Patent number: 7642481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a stringer are provided. The stringer generally includes a web having a desired corrugated configuration and first and second flanges welded to opposite edges of the web. The apparatus includes a support structure, a strongback that is supported by the support structure, and a plurality of dies that are adjustable relative to the strongback. The strongback defines a corrugated contour surface corresponding to the desired corrugated configuration of the web. The dies define corresponding forming surfaces and are configured to be advanced toward the strongback to thereby form the web to the desired corrugated configuration between the contour surface of the strongback and the forming surfaces of the dies. Further, the apparatus can receive the flanges of the stringer in a predetermined configuration with the web so that the flanges can be welded to the web while the web is supported by the strongback and dies in the desired corrugated configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Max U. Kismarton, Paul S. Gregg, Jeff D. Will
  • Publication number: 20090314750
    Abstract: A gap control device which is configured for use with a laser welding device adapted to weld objects to each other is provided. A laser guide is configured to guide a laser beam to a focusing position. A gap holder is configured to feed the objects in a feeding direction toward the focusing position and to form a predetermined gap between the objects at at least a part of the focusing position. A press is configured to press the object materials at a pressing position which is distant from the focusing position by a predetermined distance in the feeding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Suzuki Motor Corproation
    Inventors: Shigoki Saitoh, Naoki Ozawa, Tsutomu Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20090316418
    Abstract: A weld projection (8), especially for laser welding, has an indent (10) that is disposed in a first component (4) and that can be welded together with at least one second component (6). The invention is characterized in that the weld projection (8) has a projection (14) and can be brought into contact with the second component (6) via the projection. A shielding housing (1) including such a weld projection (8) for a lamp base is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Patent-Treuhand Gesellschaft fur Elektrische Gluhlampen MBH
    Inventors: Bodo Mittler, Thomas Schmidt-Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20090302012
    Abstract: An object is to provide a method and a system for improving a residual stress in a tube body, with which the residual stress can reliably be improved without heating excessively. From an irradiation start angle ?s to a first predetermined angle ?1 on the tube body, an intensity of a laser beam is gradually increased from 0.5 to the steady output of 1.0 output ratio; from the first predetermined angle ?1 to a second predetermined angle ?2, the intensity of the laser beam is set at 1.0 output ratio; from the second predetermined angle ?2 to an irradiation end angle ?e, the intensity of the laser beam is gradually decreased from the 1.0 output ratio to 0.5; and at the irradiation end angle ?e, the intensity of the laser beam is set to 0. All these steps are performed at one turn of rotation in the method and the system for improving residual stress in the tube body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ota, Yoshiyuki Hemmi, Hironori Onitsuka, Noriaki Sugimoto, Kazuhiko Kamo, Shuho Tsubota, Itaru Muroya
  • Publication number: 20090302011
    Abstract: A laser beam welding head for the welding of metal parts and method of use include at least one beam path for a welding beam and means for the optical acquisition of the position of the welding seam at a first measuring position, wherein the means for the optical acquisition of the position of the welding seam allow arrangement of the first measuring position in the welding direction running ahead of the welding position of the welding beam, and, at least as a function of a lateral deviation of the welding seam from a reference position, generate a correction signal for the correction of the welding position of the welding beam, as well as a corresponding use of the laser beam welding head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Freidrich Behr, Erwin Blumensaat, Christian Dornscheidt, Martin Koch, Jens Plha, Stefan Wischmann, Lars Ott, Ansgar Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20090294417
    Abstract: A laser beam welding device and a laser beam welding method are described. It is provided that a laser beam converted to have an annular cross-sectional area by using an optical system is deflected for the purpose of producing a radial weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Klaus Spennemann, Sonja Kittel
  • Publication number: 20090294418
    Abstract: A device for the laser weld joining of sheet metal strips includes the following elements: a main frame, a laser welding unit including a laser beam generator for welding the sheet metal strips to be joined and a welding head, a clamping jaw unit supported by the frame and used to clamp the sheet metal strips, and a shearing unit for shearing the head and tails of the sheet metal strips to be joined. The shearing unit includes upper blades mounted to a blade holder and lower blades which can move in relation to the upper blades and which are designed to shear a strip, as well as a blade connecting structure fixed to the frame, the above-mentioned welding head being mobile between the blade holder and the lower blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS VAI METALS TECHNOLOGIES SAS
    Inventors: Stéphane Barjon, Hervé Thomasson, Jean Perret
  • Patent number: 7626136
    Abstract: A powder metal cladding nozzle which is coaxially attached to a laser processing head that irradiates a process portion (W) with a laser beam (L) and that discharges powder metal (P) to a laser beam irradiation portion in the process portion (W). The powder metal cladding nozzle includes a body portion (2) that has a ring-shaped powder metal holding space (7) in which the powder metal (P) is held; and a nozzle portion (3) that is connected to the body portion (2) and that has plural discharge passages (18) which are communicated with the powder metal holding space (7) and which open at an outlet (19) for discharging the powder metal (P). The powder metal holding space (7) is formed in the body portion (2) and is divided into plural powder metal holding regions corresponding to plural supply passages (10) that open into the powder metal holding space (7) and that supply the powder metal (P) to the powder metal holding space (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Akio Sato, Yoshinori Ishikawa, Steffen Nowotny, Siegfried Scharek
  • Patent number: 7622694
    Abstract: In this laser beam machine 1, while a pressing portion 9 of an optical guide member 6 presses a lid 13 against a body 12 of a container, the optical guide member 6 annularly guides a laser beam propagated through an optical fiber 4 and outputs it from the pressing portion 9. Thereby, an annular processing region of the body 12 and the lid 13 is entirely irradiated with the laser beam at one time and the lid 13 can be joined to the body 12, whereby improving the working efficiency. Such improvement in working efficiency shortens the processing time and improves the production yield. Furthermore, this laser beam machine 1 does not need to be separately provided with a rotating mechanism for laser beam scanning and a pressurizing mechanism for the body 12 and the lid 13, so that construction of the machine can be significantly simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kan, Syunichi Gonda, Hirofumi Miyajima, Yujin Zheng
  • Patent number: 7620233
    Abstract: When laser beam welding one or more work pieces faults may occur, which lead to unacceptable losses in quality. A check process is provided, which reliably recognizes seam faults in a seam which is introduced into one or more workpieces by means of laser beam welding. Characteristic signals are detected from the region of the seam using a sensor and compared with an index value or set value, and only signals are taken into consideration which are detected in a characteristic time interval following the laser beam welding, which begins, at the earliest, following the solidification of the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Markus Beck, Thomas Herzinger
  • Patent number: 7617605
    Abstract: In a method for reducing “blow-out” of annular welds for attaching components in a fuel injector, a relief region is formed on radially-facing surfaces of the components. The relief region is adjacent to a press-fit region. The components are then pressed together, and a weld is made in the relief region. A sealed gap is thereby formed in the relief region between the weld and the press-fit region. The sealed gap provides for the expansion of trapped gases that could otherwise “blow out” the liquid weld bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: James Paul Fochtman, Jack David Oliver
  • Patent number: 7619180
    Abstract: A laser head of laser beam processing machine which comprises a housing, in the interior of which a beam compartment and at the end thereof a nozzle for the laser beam and a working gas to exit are disposed. A dome-shaped nozzle head is provided on the housing and has alternating nozzles disposed on the interior. These nozzles are held rotatable about an axis of rotation and can be introduced into the beam path of the laser beam. The axis of rotation is located on an eccentric disk so that a one-off adjustment can be carried out while the nozzle head is exchanged. The nozzles on the nozzle plate can be exchanged without additional adjustment and thus also automatically, thereby avoiding the need for a complicated adjustment and handling during exchange of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Reinhard Diem
  • Patent number: 7619750
    Abstract: To precisely measure bead cutting shapes of electric resistance welded pipes without being affected by difference in luminance level between cut and uncut portions in optical cutting images, an image is obtained by overlaying an optical cutting image with the optical cutting image subjected to thinning processing. A profile of the welded pipe is approximated with a quadratic function and a region containing the bead apex coordinates is identified as the bead. Shape data of the pipe surface at the portion corresponding to the bead portion is obtained from the preset left and right boundaries of the bead portion and the apex position of the separately-calculated bead portion, and bead width, height, slope angle, and unevenness at the left and right boundaries between the bead portion and base pipe portion, are each calculated, based on the left and right bead shape approximation functions and base pipe shape approximation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Kodama, Taira Suzuki, Akira Torao, Yasumasa Tekemura, Takatoshi Okabe
  • Publication number: 20090277886
    Abstract: The invention concerns a laser device for joining work pieces made of plastic by means of beam welding technology, with a processing head that has focusing devices for the laser beam. Here, the focusing device that is closest to the work pieces has a rotatably supported cylinder lens in the shape of a roller that focuses the laser beam along a single axis and presses the work pieces together in the form of a line in an area around the impact point of the laser beam. In order to enable the cylinder lens to always contact the surface of the work piece facing the processing head in a precisely tangential manner, the processing head has a pendulum-type suspension for the rotatable cylinder lens. This also makes it possible for the contact pressure exerted by the processing head to always act perpendicularly on the work pieces so that they are pressed together in all welding places in the same way in a defined manner during the welding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: LEISTER Process Technologies
    Inventors: Michael Scheidt, Oliver Hinz, Daniel Vogler, Adolf Niederberger
  • Publication number: 20090272724
    Abstract: A device and a process for processing and/or joining work pieces via laser radiation, with an effective power laser and a pilot target laser that emit laser beams of different wavelengths, with the laser beams being directed at the work pieces by laser optics. Regarding the laser beams, by the laser optics that comprise at least one diffractive optical element (DOE) as a masking system, the beam pattern of the pilot target laser is adjusted to match the beam pattern of the effective laser beam. This is accomplished preferably by removing the pilot laser beam from the effective laser beam for part of the path length by dichroic mirrors, and by expanding the diverging pilot laser beam on said part of the path length by deflecting mirrors whose distance from the dichroic mirrors is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Gubler, Michael Scheidt
  • Publication number: 20090272723
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle floor production system, in which a carrier is moved through a loop formed by a return line provided at the top of the system and a welding line provided at the bottom, and the carrier is horizontally moved by the frictional force of a horizontal movement driving means. Preferred systems can reduce the manufacturing cost and required installation area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: In Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 7612313
    Abstract: A device for detecting the position of a seam on a welded pipe in a three-dimensional laser beam machine for processing pipes. The three-dimensional laser beam machine has a chuck 62 for holding, rotating and axially moving a cylindrical pipe 400. A weld seam detection device 100 is equipped with a sensor head 110 provided on a laser processing main body 30. The sensor head 110 has a master lever 120 that moves along an inner wall surface 410 of the cylindrical pipe 400 and a sensor lever 140. When the cylindrical pipe 400 is rotated and the sensor lever 140 contacts the weld seam, the movement of the sensor lever 140 is detected by a micro switch 150, which sends a signal to an NC device 90 by which the weld seam position is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Tsunehiko Yamazaki, Naoomi Miyakawa
  • Patent number: 7612312
    Abstract: A mobile support system for a hand-held laser welding wand includes a movable cart, a laser source, a fluid source, and a filler medium supply source. The laser source is mounted on the movable cart and is configured to supply laser light for the hand-held laser welding wand. The fluid source is mounted on the movable cart and is configured to supply cooling fluid for the hand-held laser welding wand. The filler medium supply source is mounted on the movable cart and is configured to supply a filler medium for use by the hand-held laser welding wand. The mobile support system is transportable to areas remote from a work shop environment, and provides stand-alone support for the hand-held laser welding wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Martin C. Baker, Clyde R. Taylor, William F. Hehmann