Optical penetration sensor for pulsed laser welding

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000

OSTI ID:873037

Essien, Marcelino ^[1]; Keicher, David M ^[1]; Schlienger, M Eric ^[1]; Jellison, James L ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

An apparatus and method for determining the penetration of the weld pool created from pulsed laser welding and more particularly to an apparatus and method of utilizing an optical technique to monitor the weld vaporization plume velocity to determine the depth of penetration. A light source directs a beam through a vaporization plume above a weld pool, wherein the plume changes the intensity of the beam, allowing determination of the velocity of the plume. From the velocity of the plume, the depth of the weld is determined.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 6075220
• OSTI ID: 873037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

optical
penetration
sensor
pulsed
laser
welding
apparatus
method
determining
weld
pool
created
particularly
utilizing
technique
monitor
vaporization
plume
velocity
determine
depth
light
source
directs
beam
changes
intensity
allowing
determination
determined
laser welding
light source
pulsed laser
weld pool
laser weld
optical technique
source directs
penetration sensor
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