Patent ID: 8017886
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: B23K,B29C,B29K

Abstract:
1. A laser welding system, comprising: at least two diode lasers adapted to generate a continuous wave laser beam, each beam being directed through at least one fiber optic bundle to a weld head, the laser beam exiting the weld head being arranged in a substantially straight line array of laser energy; a cylindrical lens adapted to focus the substantially straight line array onto a workpiece having a first component and at least one other component to be welded to the first component, the first component substantially transmissive to the predetermined wavelength, the at least one other component substantially absorptive of the predetermined wavelength; and a water-cooled, heat conducting, masked pressure plate operatively disposed between the lens and the first component and adapted to selectively block transmission of the straight line array of laser energy, thereby substantially preventing undesired heating of the workpiece, wherein the water cooled pressure plate comprises: a frame having an interior opening therethrough and at least one water cooling passage within an outer periphery of the frame; a first layer of substantially transmissive material supported by the frame and substantially covering the interior opening; a mask established in a predetermined configuration on the first layer of substantially transmissive material; and a second layer of substantially transmissive material supported by the frame and established on the mask.