Methods Patents (Class 219/121.64)
  • Patent number: 11666990
    Abstract: A welded assembly includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The second sheet is disposed over a portion of the first sheet and defines an overlap portion between the first and second sheets. A weld fastening the second sheet to the first sheet in the overlap area connects the second sheet to the first sheet for distributing stress uniformly across a welded portion of the overlap area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell P. Parrish, Thomas M. Barry, Jr., Felix I. Quiros-Pedraza, Harvey C. Lee, Michael A. Disori, Alison Schoolcraft
  • Patent number: 11667105
    Abstract: A laminate of the present invention includes a first member which contains a thermoplastic polymer and through which laser light is transmitted and a second member which contains a thermoplastic polymer and absorbs laser light, wherein the first member is directly bonded to the second member, and A represented by the formula 1: A=?9×D+Wa?45 is more than zero. D represents a distance between a Hansen solubility parameter of the thermoplastic polymer of the first member and a Hansen solubility parameter of the thermoplastic polymer of the second member, and Wa represents work of adhesion calculated from each surface free energy of the first member and the second member. Such a first member and a second member are firmly bonded to each other without using a bonding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ASICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironori Kitayama, Junichiro Tateishi, Kenichi Harano
  • Patent number: 11660705
    Abstract: A laser welding method is provided to ensure a sufficient joining strength between metal plates by increasing the area of a joining region while preventing “burn through” of a molten metal. In the laser welding method by applying a laser beam to a surface of multiple metal plates superimposed on each other, a scanning locus with the laser beam is sequentially shifted from an inner circular scanning locus to an outer one in a predetermined joining region on the metal plates, and an emission interval is provided to temporally stop the metal-plate-surface irradiation when the scanning locus is shifted. Thus, every time the scanning locus is shifted, the molten metal due to the previous irradiation is cooled and increases its viscosity. Accordingly, the “burn through” is prevented regardless of increase of the area of the joining region, which results in a sufficient joining strength between the metal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Nakada, Toru Hioki, Atsushi Kawakita, Shuhei Ogura, Takashi Goto
  • Patent number: 11664472
    Abstract: Metallization of semiconductor substrates using a laser beam, and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, solar cell circuit, solar cell strings, and solar cell arrays are described. A solar cell string can include a plurality of solar cells. The plurality of solar cells can include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a locally deposited metal portion disposed in contact with a corresponding one of the semiconductor regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Marc Robinson, Paul W. Loscutoff, Ryan Reagan, David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Thierry Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11655713
    Abstract: Repaired rotors are provided. The rotors are repaired by using an indenter apparatus for plastically straining original portions of the rotor and adjacent repair welds. The weld nugget, adjacent heat affected zones, and the adjacent parent-metal portions or new metal portions, are indented at a weld nugget and heat affected zone, to produce threshold levels of uniform plastic strain which meet or exceed plastic strain levels that provide, when the weld nugget and heat affected zone is heat treated, a recrystallized grain structure metallurgically comparable to the grain structure of the original parent-metal of the rotor. Repaired integrally bladed rotors for gas turbine engines, such as aircraft engines, are provided. Blades for gas turbine engines, including integrally bladed rotors, may be advantageously provided, having been manufactured or repaired as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: STRESSWAVE, INC.
    Inventor: Eric T Easterbrook
  • Patent number: 11658312
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a fuel cell includes a laser application step and a bonding step. In the laser application step, a laser beam is applied to a carbon film of a separator including a metal plate and the carbon film covering a surface of the metal plate such that the metal plate is exposed by removing the carbon film within an application range of the laser beam. In the bonding step, the separator is bonded to a resin member within a range including at least part of a range where the metal plate is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Miura, Kenji Sato, Takuya Kurihara, Takayuki Furuhata, Atsushi Fukunishi, Tomohiro Hangai, Hiroomi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11648626
    Abstract: The present invention includes a laser-welded lap joint including a weld zone formed by laser lap welding in a lapped portion including a plurality of lapped steel sheets. The weld zone includes a main weld zone that penetrates the steel sheets in the lapped portion and a final weld zone formed at one end of the main weld zone and having a crater, and the weld zone satisfies formulas (1) to (4): L?15.0;??(1) 10.0?L2?2lc;??(2) t1?2dc;??(3) wc>dc??(4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Asato Hara, Yasushi Kitani
  • Patent number: 11647594
    Abstract: A method for curing solder paste on a thermally fragile substrate is disclosed. An optically reflective layer and an optically absorptive layer are printed on a thermally fragile substrate. Multiple conductive traces are selectively deposited on the optically reflective layer and on the optically absorptive layer. Solder paste is then applied on selective locations that are corresponding to locations of the optically absorptive layer. After a component has been placed on the solder paste, the substrate is irradiated from one side with uniform pulsed light. The optically absorptive layer absorbs the pulsed light and becomes heated, and the heat is subsequently transferred to the solder paste and the component via thermal conduction in order to heat and melt the solder paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PulseForge, Inc.
    Inventor: Rob Jacob Hendriks
  • Patent number: 11638969
    Abstract: A laser-welded lap joint includes a weld zone formed by joining a plurality of steel sheets one over another together by laser welding. The weld zone has a J shape and includes a main weld zone having a linear weld line shape and a weld terminal end zone having an arcuate or circular weld line shape. The length L1 of the main weld zone is ? or more and ? or less of the full length L of the weld zone represented by formula (1). The radius R of the weld terminal end zone satisfies formula (2). The angle ? of the weld terminal end zone satisfies formula (3). The total size of a gap between the plurality of steel sheets in a lapped portion is 0% or more and 15% or less of the total thickness of the plurality of steel sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Asato Hara, Yasushi Kitani
  • Patent number: 11618102
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a domestic appliance at least comprising the following steps:—at least one positioning and/or prefixing step comprising positioning and/or prefixing of at least a first component part (3) of the domestic appliance relative to at least a second component part (2) of the domestic appliance, the first component part (3) comprising a first contour (32), and the second component (2) part comprising a matching second contour (21), respectively, the positioning and/or prefixing comprising positioning and/or prefixing the second contour (21) in a pre-defined arrangement at the first contour (32);—at least one welding step comprising welding together the first and second component parts (3, 2) along at least one of the first and second contour (32, 21); wherein the welding being controlled by a control device and carried out by:—detecting, in particular via a detection device, at least one of a location and course of at least a section of a marking representa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Christian Ehninger, Richard Wiesinger, Marco Böckler
  • Patent number: 11618098
    Abstract: A method of forming a stamped part includes forming a tailor welded blank by friction stir welding (FSW) a first blank to a second blank, removing a FSW start spot and a FSW stop spot from the tailor welded blank using a machining process such that a finished tailor welded blank is formed and stamping the finished tailor welded blank into the stamped part such that a weld formed by FSW the first blank to the second blank is plastically deformed. The first blank and the second blank can be aluminum alloy blanks and a predetermined amount of material is machined from the FSW start spot and the FSW stop spot, the predetermined amount of material being equal to or greater than a thickness of the first blank and the second blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrey M. Ilinich, Michael William Danyo, Feng Ren, Ryan Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11612955
    Abstract: A joining device and method for laser-based joining of two components includes a first laser radiation source, a first radiation guide connected to the first radiation source to couple first laser radiation into the first radiation guide, a second laser radiation source, at least one second radiation guide connected to the second radiation source to couple second laser radiation into the second radiation guide, and a focusing device coupled to the laser radiations and focusing them at a distance from each other into a joining zone of the components. To reduce installation effort, the focusing device focuses the first and second laser radiations through a common beam path and a coupling device is connected on its input side to the first and second radiation guides and on its output side to the focusing device. The coupling device couples the first and second laser radiations into the common beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, IPG Laser GmbH
    Inventors: Thorge Hammer, Wilfried Reimann, Eugene Shcherbakov
  • Patent number: 11612964
    Abstract: A laser apparatus includes: a first vacuum chamber, wherein machining is performed on a target substrate in the first vacuum chamber; a laser facing the first vacuum chamber; a carrier disposed in the first vacuum chamber, wherein the target substrate is seated on the carrier; a chamber window disposed in one surface of the first vacuum chamber, wherein a laser beam emitted by the laser passes through the chamber window; a first protection window positioned between the carrier and the chamber window; a second vacuum chamber disposed at a first side of the first vacuum chamber; and a transfer unit configured to transfer the first protection window to the second vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Yong Lee, Toshinaru Suzuki, Seung Ho Myoung, Gyeong Hee Han, Gyoo Wan Han
  • Patent number: 11612986
    Abstract: A system may include a powder source; a powder delivery device; an energy delivery device; and a computing device. The computing device may be configured to: control the powder source to deliver metal powder to the powder delivery device; control the powder delivery device to deliver the metal powder to a surface of an abrasive coating; and control the energy delivery device to deliver energy to at least one of the abrasive coating or the metal powder to cause the metal powder to be joined to the abrasive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Quinlan Yee Shuck
  • Patent number: 11590705
    Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing an object includes steps of: (1) successively forming a plurality of powder layers by depositing powder; (2) selectively controlling a composition of the powder that forms each one of the plurality of powder layers; and (3) successively forming a plurality of object layers of the object by joining the powder of a portion of each one of the plurality of powder layers before forming each successive one of the plurality of powder layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Elaine MacDonald, Daniel J. Braley
  • Patent number: 11581609
    Abstract: The present application is provided with a battery box and a battery module. The battery box includes a plurality of end plates; a plurality of side plates, where one end plate is provided between adjacent side plates, and the end plates and the side plates enclose and form a cavity of the battery box. A plurality of welding members are formed by bending an end portion of each of the side plates and/or each of the end plates for enclosure for multiple times. Each of the welding members is configured to weld to a corresponding end plate or side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Tingting Zhu, Liwen Jiang, Zhenhua Zheng
  • Patent number: 11571860
    Abstract: A process for room temperature substrate bonding employs a first substrate substantially transparent to a laser wavelength is selected. A second substrate for mating at an interface with the first substrate is then selected. A transmissivity change at the interface is created and the first and second substrates are mated at the interface. The first substrate is then irradiated with a laser of the transparency wavelength substantially focused at the interface and a localized high temperature at the interface from energy supplied by the laser is created. The first and second substrates immediately adjacent the interface are softened with diffusion across the interface to fuse the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Raymond Miller Karam, Georges Roussos, Mark Finkle, Danielle M. Harvey, Pascal R. Ackermann-Karam
  • Patent number: 11571787
    Abstract: A system may include a powder source; a powder delivery device; an energy delivery device; and a computing device. The computing device may be configured to: control the powder source to deliver metal powder to the powder delivery device; control the powder delivery device to deliver the metal powder to a surface of an abrasive coating; and control the energy delivery device to deliver energy to at least one of the abrasive coating or the metal powder to cause the metal powder to be joined to the abrasive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Quinlan Yee Shuck
  • Patent number: 11565482
    Abstract: An apparatus for quality assessment of a sealing section of a package for food products. The package includes at least a robustness layer and a plastic layer. The sealing section is formed by holding a first section and a second section of the package against each other while providing heat such that the plastic layer of the first and second section melt and the first and second section adhere to each other. The apparatus includes a sample holder arranged for fixating a sample including the sealing section of the package. At least part of the sample holder is transparent, a magnification device arranged on a first side of the sample holder, and an illumination device arranged on a second side of the sample holder. Light is provided to the magnification device through the sample holder The first and second side are opposite sides of the sample holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Hans Hallstadius, Magnus Råbe
  • Patent number: 11548096
    Abstract: A laser beam applying unit of a laser processing apparatus for processing a wafer includes a laser oscillator for emitting a pulsed laser beam having a wavelength transmittable through the wafer, a beam condenser for converging the pulsed laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator onto the wafer held on a chuck table, a beam splitter assembly disposed between the laser oscillator and the beam condenser, for splitting the pulsed laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to form at least two converged spots on the wafer that are spaced from each other in X-axis directions, and a mask assembly disposed between the laser oscillator and the beam condenser, for reducing the width of the converged spots on the wafer in Y-axis directions to keep the converged spots on the wafer within the width of the projected dicing lines on the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Furuta
  • Patent number: 11548091
    Abstract: A method of forming an assembly includes providing a metallic first workpiece having base and a first layer disposed on the base and adhering a second layer onto the first layer. One of the first and second layers is formed of a zinc-based material formed of at least a majority of zinc, and the other of the first and second layers is formed of a metallic alloying material having a melting point higher than the melting point of the zinc-based material. Preferably, the first layer is formed of the zinc-based material, and the second layer is formed of the metallic alloying material with the higher melting point. A metallic second workpiece is disposed in contact with the second layer. A welding operation is performed to join the first workpiece to the second workpiece. A welded assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pei-chung Wang, Michael J. Karagoulis, Spyros P. Mellas, Zhenke Teng
  • Patent number: 11537081
    Abstract: A component of external parts for a timepiece, the component including a first silicon-based part and a second metal-based part, where one surface of the first part is welded using laser-type electromagnetic radiation onto a surface of the second part in order to secure the parts to each other. A method for fabrication of a component of external parts for a timepiece, by forming a first silicon-based part and a second metal-based part, mounting a surface of the first part on a surface of the second part, and welding, using laser-type electromagnetic radiation, the surface of the first part mounted on the surface of the second part, in order to secure the parts to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Bazin
  • Patent number: 11534860
    Abstract: A method for identifying joining positions of workpieces includes capturing images of a joint by a camera, determining measurement data for the joining positions associated with a course of the joint from the images of the joint, determining a mathematical model of the joint course from a part of the measurement data, providing a curve based on the mathematical model for positioning a welding laser during a laser welding process along the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: PRECITEC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Schwarz, Rüdiger Moser, David Blázquez-sánchez
  • Patent number: 11534864
    Abstract: A method for connecting two components with the aid of a laser weld seam. The two components are situated one above the other in a joining area. The first component is pressed in the direction of the second component with the aid of a clamping device. A laser beam impacts the first component on the side facing away from the second component and at least indirectly fusing material of the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas Heider, Reiner Ramsayer
  • Patent number: 11536233
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a low-pressure fuel delivery unit and a high-pressure fuel delivery unit which has a low-pressure region and a high-pressure region such that the low-pressure region supplies fuel to the high-pressure region which supplies the fuel to a plurality of high-pressure fuel injectors. A low-pressure fuel rail supplies fuel to low-pressure fuel injectors. A low-pressure fuel injector line is connected at a first end directly to the high-pressure fuel delivery unit and receives fuel from the low-pressure region and is connected at a second end directly to the low-pressure fuel rail, thereby providing fluid communication from the low-pressure region to the low-pressure fuel rail. A device is located between the low-pressure region and the low-pressure fuel rail and reduces fuel pressure pulsations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy D. Spegar, Joseph G. Spakowski
  • Patent number: 11524458
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for additively manufacturing a product in a layer-by-layer sequence, wherein the product is formed using powder particles deposited on an interface layer of a substrate. A laser generates first and second beam components. The second beam component has a higher power level and a shorter duration than the first beam component. A mask creates a 2D optical pattern in which only select portions of the second beam components can irradiate the powder particles. The first beam component heats the powder particles close to a melting point, where the particles experience surface tension forces relative to the interface layer. While the particles are heated, the second beam component further heats the particles and also melts the interface layer before the surface tension forces can act on and distort the particles, enabling the particles and the interface layer are able to bond together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: James A. DeMuth, Andrew J. Bayramian, Eric B. Duoss, Joshua D. Kuntz, Christopher M. Spadaccini
  • Patent number: 11524361
    Abstract: A method for laser keyhole welding is disclosed to weld two pieces together made of a metal alloy. The method independently adjusts power in a focused center beam and power in a concentric focused annular beam. At the termination of a weld, the power of the annular beam is reduced, motion of the focused beams is stopped, the power of the center beam is increased, and the power of both beams is initially ramped down rapidly and then ramped down slowly. Increasing the power of the center beam equalizes the temperature of both pieces prior to solidification and cooling at the termination of the weld. An additional pulse of power may be applied to prevent the formation of defects or to erase any defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Brescoe
  • Patent number: 11522243
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micro-battery is provided. The method includes forming a micro-battery device by forming a first metal anode via and a first metal cathode via in a first substrate, forming a first metal layer on a bottom side of the first substrate, forming a first battery element on a top side of the substrate, forming an encapsulation layer around the first battery element, forming trenches through the encapsulation layer and the first substrate on different sides of the first battery element, and forming a metal sealing layer in the trenches to cover at least a plurality of sidewall surfaces of the first battery element. The metal sealing layer is electrically connected to the battery element through the first metal layer and the first metal cathode via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Qianwen Chen, Jae-Woong Nah, Bing Dang, Leanna Pancoast, John Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 11502380
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery is produced by welding a metal foil to a contact element to make electrical contact with an electrode of the rechargeable battery. An edge region of the metal foil is brought into contact with a first surface of the contact element and welded to the contact element by applying a laser beam to a second surface of the contact element. The second surface being averted from (opposite to) the first surface of the contact element. The metal foil and further planar constituents of the rechargeable battery are wound to provide the rechargeable battery with an at least essentially cylindrical design. The contact element-is oriented at right angles to the metal foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Monbat New Power GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Deutmeyer
  • Patent number: 11498143
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lap fillet arc welding joint including a first metal sheet, a second metal sheet, and a weld bead. A region of the first metal sheet on one end side is bent. In a first direction, a position of a tip end of the bent region of the first metal sheet overlaps a region of the second metal sheet on one end side. In a second direction, an amount of deviation between a central axis of a region connected to the bent region of the first metal sheet and a central axis of the region of the second metal sheet on one end side is ½ times or less of average sheet thicknesses of the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet. A joint portion length is two times or more of the sheet thickness of the second metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Kodama, Yoshinari Ishida, Kazuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11491579
    Abstract: This invention provides a laser welding method in which a state where the irradiation energy density becomes excessively high by a plurality of times of irradiation with laser is not caused and a defect, such as a hole, does not occur in a workpiece. In order to achieve the object, a laser welding method for welding a plurality of workpieces by irradiating the workpieces in a stacked state with a laser beam is characterized in that, when the laser beam is reciprocatingly emitted along a fixed welding line, the irradiation positions of a start end A and a termination end A? of the irradiation are shifted away from each other so that the irradiation energy can be dispersed. Moreover, when the laser beam is emitted a plurality of times in the same direction along the fixed welding line, the irradiation positions of the start ends or/and the termination ends of the irradiation are shifted away from each other so that the irradiation energy can be dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihiro Shimazoe
  • Patent number: 11491589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser brazing system, comprising a braze tool having a laser configured to emit a laser beam along a radiation path, and a braze wire tool being configured to guide a braze wire along a wire path intersecting the laser beam. The system comprises a jig comprising a first alignment surface and a first blocking surface, wherein the first alignment surface is configured to be in contact with the braze wire while the first blocking surface blocks at least a first part of the emitted laser beam, and a detector arranged in the radiation path and configured to detect the emitted light of the laser beam passing the jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fredrik Ragnarsson
  • Patent number: 11491577
    Abstract: A method for establishing a weld joint comprises the step of projecting an energy beam such as a laser beam (2) onto an interface area (103) between two parts (101, 102) to be joined. The beam (2) is projected onto the interface area (103) so as to produce a primary spot on the interface area (103), and the beam (2) is repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot (21) on the object, the effective spot (21) having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot (21) is displaced along a track (104) over the interface area (103) so as to progressively melt mating portions of the first part (101) and the second part (102) so as to form the weld joint (105). The effective spot (21) can feature an asymmetric energy distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ETXE-TAR, S.A.
    Inventor: José Juan Gabilondo Peñalba
  • Patent number: 11471975
    Abstract: Laser welding methods include focusing laser radiation onto a first metal sheet disposed on a metal part, optionally with one or more intervening metal sheets therebetween. The laser radiation is steered to trace at least one spiral path to spot-weld together the metal parts. The laser radiation includes a center beam and an annular beam to maintain a stable keyhole. One method is tailored to weld aluminum parts, e.g., with high gas content and/or dissimilar compositions, and the laser radiation traces first an outward spiral path and then an inward spiral path. The center beam is pulsed during one segment of the inward spiral path. Another method is tailored to weld steel or copper parts having a coating at an interface therebetween, and the laser radiation traces an inward spiral path. The interface may be a zero-gap interface, or a non-zero gap may exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Corelase Oy
    Inventors: Matti Närhi, Henri Pajukoski
  • Patent number: 11476525
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an electrode assembly which is charged with an electric current and discharged; a casing which accommodates therein the electrode assembly; a cap plate which is coupled to an opening of the casing; and an electrode terminal which is electrically connected to the electrode assembly and installed in a terminal hole of the cap plate, the electrode terminal including: a plate terminal which is disposed outside the cap plate and has a coupling hole; and a rivet terminal which is installed in the terminal hole and coupled to the coupling hole, and the plate terminal and the rivet terminal include torque resistance increasing portions which are formed at a coupling interface between the coupling hole and the rivet terminal and increase torque resistive force of the plate terminal with respect to a z-axis of the rivet terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyunsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 11465239
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a joint body having a first metal member and a second metal member joined together by causing a laser oscillation system to irradiate a surface of the second metal member placed on the first metal member with laser light to form a joint portion including a welded portion where the first metal member and the second metal member are joined together includes continuously supplying the second metal member while pressing the second metal member against the first metal member, the second metal member being a hoop material, and causing the laser oscillation system to emit the laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Watanabe, Takayuki Kimura, Liang Chen, Masao Hadano, Reiichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11458568
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a laser processing method includes a first irradiation process and a second irradiation process. In the first irradiation process, a first laser light is irradiated on a first region of a processing object including a metal. A first output value of the first laser light is 3000 W or more. In the second irradiation process, a second laser light is irradiated on the first region. A second output value of the second laser light is not less than 60% and not more than 70% of the first output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sakai, Yasutomo Shiomi
  • Patent number: 11458566
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses are used for monitoring material processing using imaging signal density calculated for an imaging beam directed to a workpiece or processing region, for example, during inline coherent imaging (ICI). The imaging signal density may be used, for example, to monitor laser and e-beam welding processes such as full or partial penetration welding. In some examples, the imaging signal density is indicative of weld penetration as a result of reflections from a keyhole floor and/or from a subsurface structure beneath the keyhole. The monitoring may include, for example, automated pass/fail or quality assessment of the welding or material processing or parts produced thereby. The imaging signal density may also be used to control the welding or material processing, for example, using imaging signal density data as feedback. The imaging signal density may be used alone or together with other measurements or metrics, such as distance or depth measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher M. Galbraith, Jordan Kanko, Paul J. L. Webster, Cole Van Vlack, Genevieve Elizabeth Hayes
  • Patent number: 11453099
    Abstract: Some implementations of a retaining ring has an inner surface having a first portion formed of multiple planar facets and a second portion that adjoins the first portion along a boundary and includes a frustoconical surface that is sloped downwardly from outside in. Some implementations of the retaining ring have a crenellated or serpentine inner surface, and/or an inner surface with alternating region of different surface properties or different tilt angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Mark Reedy, Simon Yavelberg, Jeonghoon Oh, Steven M. Zuniga, Andrew J. Nagengast, Samuel Chu-Chiang Hsu, Gautam Shashank Dandavate
  • Patent number: 11446764
    Abstract: A method for laser keyhole welding a stack of metal foils to a metal tab is disclosed. The method independently adjusts power in a focused center beam and power in a focused annular beam to form a weld through all the foils and the tab. The annular beam provides sufficient power to heat the metal to about melting temperature, widen a mouth of a keyhole, and stabilize a melt pool. The center beam provides sufficient additional power to form the keyhole. The power of the annular beam is sustained for a longer time than the power of the center beam. A plurality of such welds is formed to provide mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Corelase Oy
    Inventors: Matti Närhi, Henri Pajukoski
  • Patent number: 11389901
    Abstract: A pair of separators is overlapped and placed on a base jig and thereby positioned with each other. Respective through-holes thereof are positioned to the position of a pin hole provided in the base jig. When a main jig is pressed against the base jig to clamp the pair of separators, and a pin of a sub-jig is inserted into the pin hole to clamp the pair of separators by a head, an annular light guiding path is formed by a gap generated between an opening provided in the main jig and the head of the sub-jig, and hence a laser welding position which surrounds the through-holes is exposed. The surrounding of each through-hole is seamlessly laser-welded when the laser welding position is irradiated with a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventors: Toshihiro Shimazoe, Kento Nagamatsu, Hiroyuki Higashi
  • Patent number: 11380509
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving thermal management strategies of a cathode assembly of an x-ray tube. In one embodiment, an x-ray tube comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly, wherein the cathode assembly includes one or more elements that include an internal porous section for controlling a flow of heat within the cathode assembly during operation of the x-ray tube. In this way, heat conduction to temperature sensitive aspects of the cathode assembly may be reduced, while enabling sufficient heat transfer to other parts of the cathode assembly to minimize deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Kruse, Thomas Murray
  • Patent number: 11371114
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for forming a golf club head assembly comprising a golf club head body and a high strength faceplate. The high strength faceplate can be heat treated. After welding the faceplate to the club head body, vibrational waves can be used to relive stress in the weld heat affected zones of the golf club body and faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Simone, Travis D. Milleman, Martin R. Jertson
  • Patent number: 11358238
    Abstract: A method for laser welding the end faces of joints of two connecting flanges, which are held against each other, of two connecting partners made from a steel material, of which at least one is provided with a metallic coating with an evaporation temperature that is below the melting temperature of the steel material. The method is carried out such that, for the process of laser welding, the connecting flanges of the two connecting partners are held against each other enclosing an angle that opens pointing in a direction from the joint side on which the laser is applied, as a result of which a degassing gap, which increases in the direction of heat introduction, is provided between the connecting flanges, through which degassing gap evaporation products of the coating material resulting from the introduction of heat are carried off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Stuhrmann, Christian Dahmen
  • Patent number: 11351629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a laser-welded connection, in which two parts to be joined (11; 11a, 12; 12a) are connected to one another under the effect of a laser beam (1) in a joining region (30; 30a) to form a weld (2), wherein one part to be joined (11; 11a) consists of a material transparent to laser radiation and the other part to be joined (12; 12a) consists of a material absorbent to laser radiation, and wherein the two parts to be joined (11; 11a, 12; 12a) form a receptacle (25; 25a; 25b) for a component (13; 13a; 13b; 14) separate from the parts to be joined (11; 11a, 12; 12a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Faiss
  • Patent number: 11351633
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for laser processing. There is provided at least one first laser beam from at least one first optical feed fiber connected to at least one first laser device and at least one second laser beam from at least one second optical feed fiber connected to at least one second laser device. Said first and second laser beams are combined in a multi-core optical fiber. Said first core of said multi-core optical fiber has a circular cross-section, and said second core has an annular shape concentric to said first core. A composite laser beam comprising first and second output beams is directed from said multi-core optical fiber to a workpiece with overlapping elements to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CORELASE OY
    Inventor: Jarno Kangastupa
  • Patent number: 11331752
    Abstract: Laser welding of a first metal substrate having a first planar surface and a second planar surface disposed opposite the first planar surface to a second metal substrate is performed by placing an end face of the second metal substrate proximate to the first planar surface. An input laser beam from a fiber laser is generated, and a beam delivery system is provided that is configured to receive the input laser beam and generate an output laser beam having a beam spot that moves in a predetermined pattern along a first and a second axes to irradiate a target area on the second planar surface such that the target area is positioned over an intersection region of the first planar surface where the end face is positioned proximate to the first planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Iurii Markushov, Nikolay Grezev, Maksim Murzakov
  • Patent number: 11325322
    Abstract: A process for continuous welding of a sheet of plastic material for manufacturing flexible packages, comprising a step of positioning the sheet relative to the welding device, putting ends of the sheet into contact, forming a weld by heating, pressing and cooling the ends of the sheet that are in contact, acquiring a primary temporal signal with a sensor, the primary temporal signal proportional to a thickness of the weld, transforming the primary temporal signal into a primary frequency signal and defining a low-frequency spectrum, a medium-frequency spectrum, and a high-frequency spectrum from the primary frequency signal, reconstructing a secondary low-frequency signal from the low-frequency spectrum, and determining the thickness of the weld based on the secondary low-frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: AISAPACK HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Jacques Thomasset, Yan Gex-Collet, Gaël Bussien, François Fleuret, Yann Lepoittevin, Florent Monay
  • Patent number: 11260471
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a joining seam, in particular during joining by a laser beam, wherein in the processing direction before a processing point a joining site is measured in order to detect the position and geometry thereof, at least one position of a joining seam is determined from the position of the joining point, and in the processing direction after the processing point the joining seam is measured in order to detect the geometry thereof at the determined position. A device is also provided for carrying out said method and to a laser processing head equipped with such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: PRECITEC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Schwarz, Stefan Birmanns
  • Patent number: 11247284
    Abstract: A method for producing at least one hollow valve for gas exchange may include introducing a bore into a valve shaft and into a valve head to form the at least one hollow valve, measuring a depth of the bore, washing the at least one hollow valve at least once, providing the at least one hollow valve in a retaining device, orienting the retaining device together with the at least one hollow valve with respect to an associated electrode, moving the associated electrode in relation to the at least one hollow valve, inserting the associated electrode into the bore of the at least one hollow valve, enlarging the bore in a region of the valve head by electromechanical machining processes, removing the associated electrode from the at least one hollow valve, rinsing and/or preserving the at least one hollow valve, and measuring a wall thickness of a valve bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Kroos, Christoph Luven