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:
Apr. 21, 2009
Filed:
Nov. 12, 2004
John James Horsting, Williamsburg, VA (US);
John James Horsting, Williamsburg, VA (US);
Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
Preferred embodiments of a system and methods to deliver different magnitudes of laser power density to a work piece while maintaining a constant focusing spot size are described. In particular, the system includes a laser, an optical focusing assembly and an overlay. The overlay receives a laser beam having a perimeter at a first magnitude of power and transmits the laser beam to the optical focusing assembly at about the same perimeter and at a magnitude lower than the first magnitude. In a preferred embodiment, the overlay can include an optically neutral blocking lens or a neutral density filter. A method of laser machining an orifice at a suitable average power density sufficient to machine the orifice with reduced heat affected zone, spatters, soots or recasts is described. A method of providing a focusing spot size of a generally constant effective area by a laser machining system is also described.