The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 1987
Filed:
Oct. 24, 1983
Karl T Bagdal, Middletown, OH (US);
Armco Inc., Middletown, OH (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for scanning a laser beam across a moving strip of material. The strip is temporarily shaped by formed rollers to a concave shape to maintain a constant focus of the laser beam on the strip surface. The scanning assembly includes a mounting platform rotatable about a central axis. Mounted on the platform are a reflecting mirror, an optical element positioned within the path of the laser beam between the laser transmitter and the mirror, and a focusing lens for focusing the laser beam reflected from the mirror to a relatively small spot on the object. As the optics rotate with the platform, the beam emerging from the focusing lens is scanned across the surface of the strip. The optical element of the rotating platform first encountered by the laser beam may be a plano-convex lens, a plane reflecting mirror or a beam splitter. Multiple lasers and optics assemblies may also be utilized. The focusing lens may comprise multiple lens assemblies or a cylindrical lens for producing an elliptically shaped spot on the strip surface. The invention also finds utility in other applications where a laser beam must be scanned across the surface of an object.