Integrated optical sensor

Patent · Tue Jan 04 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:5229239

Watkins, A D; Smartt, H B; Taylor, P L

An integrated optical sensor for arc welding having multifunction feedback control is described. The sensor, comprising generally a CCD camera and diode laser, is positioned behind the arc torch for measuring weld pool position and width, standoff distance, and post-weld centerline cooling rate. Computer process information from this sensor is passed to a controlling computer for use in feedback control loops to aid in the control of the welding process. Weld pool position and width are used in a feedback loop, by the weld controller, to track the weld pool relative to the weld joint. Sensor standoff distance is used in a feedback loop to control the contact tip to base metal distance during the welding process. Cooling rate information is used to determine the final metallurgical state of the weld bead and heat affected zone, thereby controlling post-weld mechanical properties. 6 figures.

• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• Assignee: EG G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID ()
• Patent Number(s): US 5275327; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-960329
• OSTI ID: 5229239
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 13 Oct 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ARC WELDING
PROCESS CONTROL
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
MONITORS
DESIGN
WELDING MACHINES
CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICES
HEAT AFFECTED ZONE
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS
VISIBLE RADIATION
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FABRICATION
JOINING
LASERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SOLID STATE LASERS
WELDING
ZONES
360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication