Welding Patents (Class 219/121.63)
  • Patent number: 11103958
    Abstract: The invention pertains to imaging optics (20) for material machining by means of laser irradiation, with said focusing optics comprising collimator optics (21) for collimating the divergent working laser beam (121) and focusing optics (22) for focusing the working laser beam (12) on a workpiece (14) to be machined, wherein the collimating optics (21) comprise a first lens or lens group (211) with positive focal length for focusing a working laser beam source (18) in a virtual intermediate focal point and a second movable lens or lens group (212) with negative focal length for focusing the virtual intermediate focal point to infinity. The invention furthermore proposes a laser machining head (1) with a housing (10), through which a working laser beam (12) can be guided. The inventive imaging optics (20) serve for generating a working focal point (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: PRECITEC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: David Blázquez-Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11104200
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for producing an axle component for a motor vehicle, in which at least two metallic axle parts are joined integrally to one another. The axle component is a twist beam axle, in which lateral trailing arms are connected to each other via a transverse profile. In order to establish a target geometry of the axle component, the heat induced by a welding operation is utilized. The welding operation can be a specifically positioned weld, an additional weld or a blind weld. The heat of welding is utilized in order to achieve a compensation deformation and to compensate for distortion states and/or to align the axle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Soeren Beilfuss, Mesut Suerahi, Goddy Hutabarat, Erik Schultz
  • Patent number: 11107495
    Abstract: Three systems for the destruction of the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives. One system utilizes a mill cutter with which the hard drive has relative motion in the direction of the axis of the mill cutter to destroy the data storage portion. A second system utilizes a laser to physically destroy the data storage portion. The third system utilizes a chemical solvent to chemically destroy the data storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Serenity Data Security, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin P. Clark
  • Patent number: 11090869
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating a ceiling gas stream in the course of the generative manufacturing of a three-dimensional object in a process chamber by a layer-by-layer application and selective solidification of a building material within a build area arranged in the process chamber. The process chamber has a chamber wall having a process chamber ceiling lying above the build area. A ceiling gas stream of a process gas is passed through the process chamber which is streaming from the process chamber ceiling towards the build area in a controlled manner. In the course of this, the ceiling gas stream is supplied to the process chamber through ceiling inlets formed in the process chamber ceiling such that the ceiling gas stream is directed substantially perpendicularly to the build area downwards onto the build area as it exits the ceiling inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Martin Schade
  • Patent number: 11084272
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a test structure for additive manufacture and related methods for emitter alignment. A test structure according to the disclosure can include: a body having a reference surface, wherein the body is formed with a first beam scanner of the AM system; and a plurality of calibration features defined on the reference surface of the body, wherein each of the plurality of calibration features includes an alignment surface positioned at an offset distance relative to the reference surface, and wherein each of the plurality of calibration features is formed with a second beam scanner of the AM system different than the first beam scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mikhail Pavlov, Kassy Moy Hart, Kamilla Koenig-Urban
  • Patent number: 11084126
    Abstract: A laser welding method includes: forming a melted section in which plural metallic workpieces within a weld region are melted by projecting a first laser beam onto said weld region with parts of the workpieces being set as the weld region when the workpieces are welded; and projecting a second laser beam while the melted section is being solidified or after a solidified section in which the melted section is solidified is formed such that the second laser beam circles around center of the melted section or the solidified section from an irradiation start position deviated from said center toward said center or such that the second laser beam is focused to the center of the melted section or the solidified section from an irradiation start region that includes the center and a periphery thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Hisada, Atsushi Kawakita, Masahiro Nakata
  • Patent number: 11052491
    Abstract: A galvano scanner that irradiates an object with a laser beam to perform machining, the galvano scanner comprising: an emission unit that emits the laser beam; a protective glass that protects the emission unit from a scattered matter generated in machining; and a glass holding mechanism that holds the protective glass, the protective glass at least including a triple structure in a vertical direction, the glass holding mechanism holding the protective glass that is the lowermost layer in the protective glass having the triple structure so that the protective glass that is the lowermost layer can be fallen off downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinori Murakami, Satoru Kawai
  • Patent number: 11047017
    Abstract: Laser ablation devices that utilize beam profiling assemblies to clean and process surfaces are described herein. A method includes directing a laser beam in a geometrical pattern at an arcuate surface of a cylindrical target, blocking a portion of the laser beam to prevent a portion of the geometrical pattern from contacting the cylindrical target, and rotating the cylindrical target as the laser beam contacts the arcuate surface so as to ablate the cylindrical target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: G.C. Laser Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bartosz Andrzej Dajnowski
  • Patent number: 11027367
    Abstract: A tool for laser beam processing is provided. The tool includes an upper tool and a lower tool, which are able to be advanced toward one another by way of a press, such that at least one component is able to be fixed in a predefined position between the upper tool and the lower tool. At least one laser beam exit surface, which is part of an inner surface of the upper tool or lower tool, and at least one laser beam guide, into which laser radiation is able to be coupled and is able to be directed through the laser beam exit surface onto a processing location on the component are provided. A control device, which enables and/or disables the coupling of laser radiation into the at least one laser beam guide depending on the advancing movement between upper tool and lower tool is provided. Furthermore, a laser beam processing apparatus and a method for laser beam processing are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maik Hammer, Johann van Niekerk, Alexander Grimm, Franz Korber
  • Patent number: 11020820
    Abstract: A laser welding method of the present disclosure includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, a first end of a first workpiece is positioned such that the first end of the first workpiece is overlapped on a second end of a second workpiece to form a corner joint. In the second step, the first end forming the corner joint is irradiated from above with a laser beam. Additionally, the first end is positioned to protrude relative to the second workpiece in the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Fujiwara, Atsuhiro Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 11014156
    Abstract: An extruded metal flow 3D printer comprising a rack including a workbench capable of moving along n X-axis and Y-axis direction, and a head capable of moving along an Z-axis direction; a printing device including a printing head, a high frequency coil and a high frequency electric induction heating device; the printing heal including a tungsten steel nozzle, a ceramic tube bank, a high temperature resistant ceramic protective sleeve, and a stainless steel end cover; the tungsten steel nozzle having an extrusion hole; a feeding device; the head comprising at least one laser mounted on a lower end face thereof and configured to locally preheat and melt a metal layer printed from the metal wire or enhance a binding force between metal layers, so that the print effect and model molding effect of the present invention can be improved, enhancing the marketability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ASIA AMERICA INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURE INC.
    Inventor: Jian Feng
  • Patent number: 11014184
    Abstract: Some examples include a computing device that receives optical signal information based on respective optical signals received through a plurality of optical fibers during a welding operation. For example, the plurality of optical fibers may be positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation from a weld area during the welding operation. The computing device may compare the optical signal information corresponding to a first one of the optical fibers with the optical signal information corresponding to a second one of the optical fibers. Based at least partially on the comparing, the computing device may determine whether at least one of a weld geometry or a welding arc is irregular. The computing device may perform at least one action based on determining that at least one of the weld geometry or the welding arc is irregular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Jiye Wang, Wei Yuan
  • Patent number: 11007603
    Abstract: This laser processing machine, which processes a work piece mounted on a table by irradiating the work piece with a laser light, is provided with: an optical head having a nozzle that sprays a liquid to form a columnar liquid flow and introducing a laser light into the nozzle and shining said light; and an alignment adjustment device having a reflector that is disposed so as to face the optical head and reflects the laser light, and a light-shielding portion around the portion of the reflector that reflects the laser light, and adjusting the position or orientation of introduction of the laser light into the columnar liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Toyama, Muneaki Beppu
  • Patent number: 11007607
    Abstract: A laser processing device includes a laser light source, a converging optical system, a controller, and a reflective spatial light modulator. The controller and the reflective spatial light modulator, while using an aberration as a reference aberration, the aberration occurring when laser light is converged at a converging position with an amount of aberration correction in a state in which an ideal converging position is shifted by a predetermined distance to a laser light entrance side from the converging position, adjusts the aberration such that a first converging length longer than a reference converging length of the reference aberration is obtained and a first converging intensity less than a reference converging intensity of the reference aberration is obtained, when a modified region is formed within a first region closest to a front face of an object to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakamoto, Takafumi Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 10981247
    Abstract: A device for the additive manufacturing of a turbomachinery part by direct metal deposition onto a substrate comprising: a source of metallic material; a source of energy configured to produce molten metal from the metallic material produced from the source of metallic material; a substrate; a mold arranged on the substrate and equipped with at least one opening, in order to allow a localized deposition of molten metal onto the substrate, the mold comprising a magnetic material; and a substrate support arranged under the substrate, the support being configured to generate an electromagnetic force allowing the mold to be drawn towards the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Hervé Antoine Frédéric Seince, Sébastien Yohann Pouzet
  • Patent number: 10971471
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing system comprises a laser and a heated bond tip and is configured to bond a die stack in a semiconductor assembly. The semiconductor assembly includes a wafer, manufacture from a material that is optically transparent to a beam emitted by the laser and configured to support a die stack comprising a plurality of semiconductor dies. A metal film is deposited on the wafer and heatable by the beam emitted by the laser. The heated bond tip applies heat and pressure to the die stack, compressing the die stack between the heated bond tip and the metal film and thermally bonding dies in the stack by heat emitted by the heated bond tip and the metal film when the metal film is heated by the beam emitted from the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Bayless, Cassie L. Bayless
  • Patent number: 10940564
    Abstract: A technique for sensing a weld seam geometry of a plastic butt weld seam, preferably plastic pipes, including: manual positioning of an optical sensor in relation to a butt weld seam between pipeline components, preferably plastic pipes, wherein the sensor is aligned approximately perpendicularly to the pipe centre axis, automatic approaching of the sensor of measurement positions along or around a sensor axis, acquiring the visible weld seam geometry and/or the data by means of the sensor in each approached measurement position, determining the optimum measurement position by way of the acquired data, preferably by means of an algorithm, automatic approaching of the sensor of the optimum measurement position along or around the sensor axis, acquiring the weld seam geometry to determine the quality of the weld seam, analyzing and judging the measurement of the acquired weld seam geometry at the optimized measurement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Reiz, Edin Hasific
  • Patent number: 10934603
    Abstract: An inline thermal treatment system for thermally treating a continuous product includes a housing comprising a first opening and second opening respectively configured to allow the continuous product to enter and to exit the housing. The system includes at least one laser coupled to a laser power source and configured to output at least one laser beam that impinges upon and heats the portion of the continuous product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Dorival Goncalves Tecco
  • Patent number: 10933591
    Abstract: A laser joining method and device includes a pressure-applying clamping device, which presses a first and a second workpiece against one another at least after the workpieces have been locally plasticized, and a mask having mask structures, which allow laser light to pass only in the region of the bonding contact faces, wherein at least the workpiece facing the laser source is formed by a three-dimensional molded part, which is not planar at least on the first contour side facing the clamping element and/or on the second contour side facing the second workpiece, and wherein the clamping element, with the bearing side thereof for the first workpiece, is adapted to the first contour side of the first workpiece. The mask structures are created on the bearing side of the clamping element facing the first workpiece or on the second contour side of the first workpiece facing the second workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Leister Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Didden, Carsten Wenzlau, Pascal Pfleger
  • Patent number: 10928615
    Abstract: A laser processing device configured to generally vertically irradiate a laser beam to a workpiece, and having a function for reducing an adverse effect due to a reflected laser beam from the workpiece. The laser processing device includes: a light condensing point moving part configured to move a focal point in an optical axis direction while irradiating the laser beam, by moving at least one of a processing head, an optical component of a light condense optical system, and a workpiece; and a light condensing point distance setting part configured to set a light condensing point distance between the light condensing point and a workpiece surface when the laser beam is started to be irradiated, wherein the light condensing point distance is set so that an amount of the reflected laser beam returned to the processing head through the optical system is not more than an allowable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Mori, Tatsuya Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 10919219
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method of generatively manufacturing a three-dimensional object (2) in a process chamber (3) of a generative manufacturing apparatus (1) by a layer-by-layer application and selective solidification of a building material (13) within a build area (10) arranged in the process chamber. In the course of this, while the object is being manufactured, a process gas is supplied to the process chamber by means of a gas supply device and is discharged from the process chamber via an outlet (42a, 42b). According to the invention, the gas supply device is designed and/or arranged relatively to the build area and/or controlled such that a gas stream (40) of the process gas streaming through the process chamber is shaped in such a manner that a substantially elongate oval impingement area (A3) of the gas stream (40) is generated within the build area (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Sebastian Mehl, Maximilian Mittermüller, Martin Schade, Alexander Schilling
  • Patent number: 10906130
    Abstract: A process for removing a material that is adhered to an underlying surface includes using a laser beam to heat the material to reduce the strength of adhesion between the material and the underlying surface. A stream of gas is directed at the heated material to displace the heated material from the underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Hongping Gu, Boris Shulkin
  • Patent number: 10882112
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing device for manufacturing a solid article includes a laser generation unit, a raw material supply unit, a raw material container containing a raw material and having a raw material surface exposed to a laser beam to be emitted by the laser generation unit in operation and a control unit. The heating device includes a heating surface for heating the raw material surface to form a pre-heated raw material surface. The laser generation unit is disposed with a directing unit to direct the laser beam onto the pre-heated raw material surface according to a computer generated model of the solid article stored in a storage unit associated with the control unit. The laser beam generated by the laser generation unit passes through the heating surface onto the pre-heated raw material surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SINTRATEC AG
    Inventor: Christian von Burg
  • Patent number: 10875121
    Abstract: A method for the remote laser welding of at least two metal sheets, where at least one metal sheet has a coating with a low boiling point, in particular for welding galvanized steel sheets, includes moving a laser beam at a welding velocity along a welding contour in order to produce a weld seam. The laser beam executes an oscillating movement which is superposed on the welding velocity, where the energy input into the joint is controlled by a power modulation, dependent on the oscillating movement, such that the energy input increases in at least one lateral oscillation periphery or a preceding oscillation periphery of the melt bath volume, but the size of the melt bath surface in the root area remains unaffected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Roos, Stefan Beck
  • Patent number: 10870174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a plastic-metal hybrid component, in which, in order to improve the adhesion of a metal surface, provided with a corrosion protection layer, of a base body made from metal and at least one plastic component, the corrosion protection layer of the metal surface of the base body is provided with a surface structure having undercuts. In order to avoid damage to the corrosion protection layer a filler material that binds well with the corrosion protection layer is applied on the corrosion protection layer in a specific and limited manner, in the form of successive, preferably metal elements having geometrically determined and/or geometrically indeterminate shape, via relative movement with respect to same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: inpro Innovationsgesellschaft für fortgeschrittene Produktionssysteme in der Fahrzeugindustrie mbH
    Inventors: Olaf Hoyer, Matthias Schulenburg, Michael Minkow, Gerd Eßer
  • Patent number: 10864601
    Abstract: A manufacturing machine includes: a tool spindle configured to hold a tool for subtractive manufacturing for a workpiece; an additive manufacturing head detachably mounted on the tool spindle to discharge material powder and emit a laser beam during additive manufacturing; and a head stocker storing the additive manufacturing head in an outside-of-machining-area. The additive manufacturing head includes: a head body into which a laser beam is introduced; and a laser tool detachably mounted on the head body to emit the laser beam and define a laser-beam-irradiated region on the workpiece. The manufacturing machine further includes: a laser tool stocker storing a plurality of laser tools; and a laser tool exchanger for exchanging laser tools between the head body and the laser tool stocker. A high productivity of additive manufacturing is achieved by using the above features configured in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuhei Mezawa, Takeshi Otawa, Shigetsugu Sakai
  • Patent number: 10850353
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for enabling synchronous sheet transfer to follow laser cutting dynamically. A laser-cutting method for the system for enabling synchronous sheet transfer to follow laser cutting dynamically is also provided. With the system and method of the present invention, dynamic following of sets of magnetic belts during the cutting procedure is implemented, thereby accelerating the processing pace, and further improving the throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ruimin Wu, Saidan Yang, Zhaodong Liang, Ye Ding
  • Patent number: 10843291
    Abstract: A component is formed by welding a plurality of sheets of metal to form a blank with a number of weld nuggets, placing the blank between a die section and a lid section, heating the die section to heat the blank, and introducing a pressurized gas between the lid section and the die section to press the blank into a mold in the die section to form a component. The number of weld nuggets has a desired thickness ratio between about 1.1 to about 1.25 such that the plurality of sheets of metal and the component formed have a number of characteristics that are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel G. Sanders, Luis R. Leon, Paul D. Edwards, Gregory L. Ramsey, Gary W. Coleman
  • Patent number: 10835992
    Abstract: In a laser machining machine (1) for laser welding of workpieces, in particular for lap welding of DBC structures, comprising a laser beam generator for generating a laser beam and an optical imaging system for imaging the laser beam into a machining plane, according to the invention, the optical imaging system comprises an optical beam-shaping system, which images the laser beam in the machining plane with an imaging depth (?d) of at least ±2 mm, preferably of at least ±5 mm, in such a way that the radial power density distribution (Pr) of the laser beam is bell-shaped along the imaging depth (?d) in each plane at right angles to the beam axis and the maximum values (Pmax) of these bell-shaped power density distributions (Pr) along the imaging depth (?d) vary in relation to one another by less than 10%, preferably by less than 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Elke Kaiser, Gerhard Broghammer
  • Patent number: 10821508
    Abstract: A direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system for enhancing build parameters of a DMLM component includes a confocal optical system configured to measure at least one of a melt pool size and a melt pool temperature. The DMLM system further includes a computing device configured to receive at least one of the melt pool size or the melt pool temperature from the confocal optical system. Furthermore, the DMLM system includes a controller configured to control the operation of a laser device based on at least one build parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Allen Cheverton, Michael Evans Graham, John Broddus Deaton, Jr., Prabhjot Singh
  • Patent number: 10814560
    Abstract: A narrow waveguide homogenizes laser light traveling from a laser light source of a laser bank through a plurality of laser delivery bundles that include at least a fiber optic bundle leg to weld a plurality of work pieces along a weld line that is narrower than the width of the fiber optic bundle leg. The narrow waveguide has a portion associated with each fiber optic bundle leg that is narrower than the fiber optic bundle leg with which that portion of the waveguide is associated. A reflective bounce plane diverts laser light of the fiber optic bundle leg that does not travel through the narrow waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Branson Ultrasonics Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Caldwell
  • Patent number: 10807193
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for laser welding sheet metal plates having an anti-corrosion surface layer pre-coat. The plates are arranged one relative to the other in an edge-butting relationship. Using a laser beam having a first beam spot-size, a laser weld joint is formed along the adjacent edges of the sheet metal plates. Subsequent to forming the laser weld joint, a localized anti-corrosion surface layer is formed at least on the laser weld joint. In particular, a laser beam having a second beam spot-size larger than the first beam spot-size is scanned along the laser weld joint. During the scanning, a flow of a powdered anti-corrosion surface layer material is directed toward a portion of the laser weld joint that is being irradiated by the laser beam. The powdered material is melted by the laser beam and forms a layer adhering to the laser weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Hongping Gu, Aldo Anthony Van Gelder
  • Patent number: 10807239
    Abstract: A soldering apparatus is provided with a soldering iron for soldering with a tip, a driving portion for moving the soldering iron, a storage portion that stores position information indicating a soldering position and identification information associated each other, a reading portion that reads target identification information attached to the work target, an acquiring portion that acquires position information in the storage portion matching the target identification information read by the reading portion, and a process control portion for controlling the driving portion and the soldering iron so as to perform soldering at the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquiring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: HAKKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Teraoka, Satoshi Manda
  • Patent number: 10806514
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a housing and an end effector assembly operably connected to the housing. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position, wherein in the second position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity configured to receive tissue between the jaw members. The end effector also includes at least one light-emitting element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one light-emitting element adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Craig A. Keller, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 10792761
    Abstract: A pressing system for a laser joining system for pressing together parts to be joined (storage cell, base plate) in the area of a joining point, includes a receptacle for accommodating the parts to be joined, a pressing element for locally pressing together the parts to be joined, in the area of the joining point, and a positioning system for the relative positioning of the pressing element and the receptacle and for pressing together the parts to be joined, during the joining process. The positioning system includes a parallel positioning device for the relative positioning of the receptacle and the pressing element in parallel to a plane (E), and an oblique positioning device for the relative positioning of the pressing element and the receptacle obliquely, in particular transversely, with respect to the plane (E) and for pressing together the parts to be joined, during the joining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Manz AG
    Inventors: Martin Freundt, Ralf Neher, Benjamin Schmieder
  • Patent number: 10792861
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-by-layer application and selective solidification of a building material in powder form in a device. The method includes applying a powder layer of the building material to a build area on an application surface of the device by a recoater moving in a movement direction across the application surface, selectively solidifying the applied powder layer at positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be manufactured, and repeating the steps of applying and selectively solidifying until the object is completed. A height of the applied powder layer is varied at least across a section of the powder layer along the movement direction of the recoater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventor: Jochen Philippi
  • Patent number: 10781990
    Abstract: A vehicle light having a container body having a first perimetral profile, a lenticular body, having a second perimetral profile, wherein the first and second perimetral profile of the container body and the lenticular body are at least partially counter-shaped to each other in order to interface at a welding interface of an abutment edge of the lenticular body. The container body delimits a containment seat that houses a light source and the lenticular body is applied to the container body so as to close the containment seat. A redirection surface is adapted to receive laser beams, to concentrate and reflect them towards the welding interface. The redirection surface is arranged on an inner face of the abutment edge, the inner face facing the containment seat and incident with the welding interface. A method of making the vehicle light is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MARELLI AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING ITALY S.P.A.
    Inventors: Domenico Ferigo, Sara Paroni, Davide Sammito
  • Patent number: 10784645
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a fiber laser, comprising: a variably wound optical fiber, wherein the variably wound optical fiber includes: a first length arranged in a plurality of first loops with a first separation distance between successive ones of the first loops; and a second length arranged in a plurality of second loops with a second separation distance between successive ones of the second loops; wherein the first separation distance between successive ones of the first loops is greater than the second separation distance between successive ones of the second loops; and packaging to remove heat generated by the optical fiber of the fiber laser during operation of the fiber laser, wherein the variably wound optical fiber is fixably mounted to a surface of a heat conductor of the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NLIGHT, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Ludwig Hodges, Nicolas Meacham, Dahv Kliner, Mitchell Ryan Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10772214
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a circuit board in which a pin inserted in a through-hole of a land is welded to the land is disclosed. The land is covered with a white layer, and an irradiation angle of a laser beam with respect to the circuit board is adjusted so that reflected light of the laser beam emitted to the pin reaches the white layer on the land. As the reflected light of the laser beam is allowed to reach a white region provided on the land, the reflected light is scattered on the white region. A rate of absorption of the laser beam by the land is decreased, and a temperature increase of the land is restrained. As a result, a damage of an insulating part around the land is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi Momose, Tetsuya Dewa
  • Patent number: 10759000
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber laser system that delivers from a single processing cable a multibeam output. The present invention allows for controlling multiple fiber laser modules and delivering their respective outputs in a pre-determined sequence but in a single processing cable, thereby providing multiple processing steps on a work piece that heretofore required separate optics for each beam. Custom fiber laser systems that combine processing steps tailored for a specific industrial application such as pre-heating, cutting, cleaning, welding, brazing, ablating, annealing, cooling, polishing and the like can be readily provided because of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrey Abramov, Valentin Fomin, Eugene Shcherbakov, Holger Mamerow, Dmitri Yagodkin
  • Patent number: 10738378
    Abstract: Provided is a chamber system for solid free form fabrication, the chamber system having a deposition chamber, a service chamber and one or more loading/unloading chambers. The chamber system allows for a more efficient and cost effective process to service the deposition apparatus, load holding substrates, and unload workpieces without requiring having to adjust the atmosphere in the deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: NORSK TITANIUM AS
    Inventors: Trond Forseth, Brede Vigdal, Arne Ramsland, Svein Steinsvik, Jørgen Haugen
  • Patent number: 10722969
    Abstract: A welding system comprising a user manipulatable device, a proximity sensor positioned on said user manipulatable device, an engine capable of operation in an energy conservation mode and an operating mode, and a generator operatively coupled to the engine. The generator may provide at least one of (1) a welding current output or (2) an auxiliary power output. The engine may operate (1) in the operating mode when the proximity sensor outputs the first output signal, and (2) in the energy conservation mode when the engine is not operating in the operating mode. The proximity sensor may be configured to output the first output signal when an operator of said welding system is in-range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Ulrich
  • Patent number: 10713774
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assessment method for making an assessment of laser welding between first and second cylindrical metal members, wherein the first and second cylindrical metal members are arranged coaxially to define an overlap range where the first and second cylindrical metal members overlap each other; and wherein the laser welding is performed on the overlap range along a circumferential direction of the overlap range. The assessment method includes: during the laser welding, carrying out a measurement of a position of a contour of at least one of the first and second cylindrical metal members; and judging the occurrence or non-occurrence of a position deviation of the at least one of the first and second cylindrical metal members based on a result of the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kondo, Atsushi Mori
  • Patent number: 10710307
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a platform, a dispenser to dispense successive layers of feed material on the platform, a heat source above the platform, an energy source to emit a beam of energy to impinge a second region of the topmost layer, a sensor system to measure temperatures of the topmost layer of feed material and to measure a dimension of a melt pool in the second region, and a controller. The heat source is configured to deliver energy to a first region of a topmost layer of the successive layers of feed material to pre-heat and/or heat-treat the first region. The controller is configured to operate the heat source to heat the topmost layer of feed material based on the measured temperatures, and operate the energy source to fuse feed material in the topmost layer based on the measured dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David Masayuki Ishikawa, Todd J. Egan, Paul J. Steffas
  • Patent number: 10675706
    Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for cutting flexible material. This cutting apparatus comprises: a feed line of a flexible material (2), feeding means (8) for feeding each layer (9, 10, 11, 12) so as to couple said layers (9, 10, 11, 12) to each other along the line of feed and to define said material (2), a first cutting unit (13), arranged on the feeding line, to carry out a first shaping process on said material (2), and a second cutting unit (14), arranged on the feeding line (6) downstream of said first cutting unit (13), to carry out a second shaping process on said shaped material (2). Said second cutting unit (14) has at least a laser emitter (16) to carry out finishing work on the material (2) shaped in the first cutting unit (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GUIDOLIN GIROTTO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Davide Tranquillo Guidolin, Daniela Girotto
  • Patent number: 10668578
    Abstract: Methods and systems for welding a terminal of a battery cell to corresponding terminal tab or busbar are described using a magnet that causes the terminal and tab/busbar to be placed in physical contact. The terminal of a battery cell is aligned in contact with the tab/busbar by the force of a magnetic field. A welder, e.g., a laser welder, can then generate a laser weld beam to weld the terminal of the battery cell to the tab/busbar. Next, the laser weld beam is narrowed, reducing the first diameter to a smaller second diameter. Without touching the tab/busbar or terminal of the battery (which could affect the welding operation), the magnetic field can cause a force that brings the tab and terminal in contact during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Austin L. Newman
  • Patent number: 10668616
    Abstract: A robot includes an actuator assembly, first and second parallel telescoping lead screw assemblies cantilevered from the actuator assembly, and an end effector supported by ends of the lead screw assemblies. The actuator assembly causes each lead screw assembly to independently deploy and retract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, Angelica Davancens
  • Patent number: 10654126
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided to monitor and characterize the dynamics of a phase change region (PCR) created during laser welding, specifically keyhole welding, and other material modification processes, using low-coherence interferometry. By directing a measurement beam to multiple locations within and overlapping with the PCR, the system, apparatus, and method are used to determine, in real time, spatial and temporal characteristics of the weld such as keyhole depth, length, width, shape and whether the keyhole is unstable, closes or collapses. This information is important in determining the quality and material properties of a completed finished weld. It can also be used with feedback to modify the material modification process in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paul J. L. Webster
  • Patent number: 10657858
    Abstract: The present disclosure is mainly related to a backlight detection device. The backlight detection device may comprise a film-pressing device and a vacuum equipment. The film-pressing device may be configured to place a film on a surface of a backlight. The vacuum equipment may be configured to evacuate a gap between the film and the surface of the backlight so that the film generates a pressure on the surface of the backlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BOE OPTICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Baobin Yang, Qingwei Liu
  • Patent number: 10639742
    Abstract: A system and method for joining materials. The system includes a sealed chamber having a window. A laser is disposed external to the sealed chamber and heats objects in the sealed chamber through the window. The method includes sealing objects to be joined in the sealed chamber with a controlled environment and heating the objects with a laser disposed external to the sealed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Quinlan Yee Shuck, Scott Nelson, Raymond Xu