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. 04, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2001
David A. Grewell, Waterbury, CT (US);
Justin R. Bickford, Bedford, NH (US);
Donald C. Lovett, Shelton, CT (US);
Paul A. Rooney, Rochester, NY (US);
Branson Ultrasonics Corporation, Danbury, CT (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus using a light guide for directing a laser beam to a weld zone. The light guide includes an entrance end, an exit end and a flexible body therebetween. The entrance end of the light guide is operatively coupled to a laser source such as a diode and is adapted to receive and communicate the laser radiation through the light guide. The light guide is formed of a flexible material to permit the exit end of the light guide to be spaced from and aligned with complex two-dimensional and three-dimensional weld zone configurations. The internal reflection of the light guide contains the laser radiation therein as it passes from the entrance end and through the exit end of the light guide. The light guide and corresponding methods of welding parts permit laser welding of complex geometric configurations.