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:
Mar. 02, 1993
Filed:
Jan. 10, 1991
Abstract
A device and method for butt-welding metal strips using a laser is disclosed. The present invention utilizes clamping bridges to selectively grip the metal strips to be welded together. The ends of the metal strips are first prepared for welding by severing the ends using a movable laser. After the prepared strip ends are moved into butt-welding relationship, the same laser is used to weld the two strips together. Where the strips are of differing width, the laser may be rotated and its height above the strips adjusted in order to achieve the proper welding angle. Where one strip is continuously moving, a buffer facility is provided for selectively storing a portion of the continuously moving strip prior to cutting and welding. Through adjustment of the buffer facility, the clamped portion of the continuously moving strip, i.e. the trailing portion, remains stationary during cutting and welding while the leading portion of the strip continues to advance. Such a buffer facility might be used where the strip is undergoing a continuous process, such as the application of coating, downstream from the welding.