Patent ID: 9126286
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: B23K,C23C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for laser cladding of a curved surface comprising: (a) an elongated arm having first and second ends and defining a chamber through the arm from the first end to the second end; (b) a laser delivery source connected to a focusing lens mounted in a housing within an opening on the first end of the arm for delivering a laser beam through the chamber; (c) a delivery head mounted on the second end of the arm comprised of (i) an enclosure having an inlet for receiving the laser and an outlet as a laser nozzle for delivering the laser to the curved surface, (ii) a diffuser nozzle for delivering a cladding powder to an inner surface of the curved surface, and (iii) a reflective surface for reflecting the laser to exit through the outlet; (d) mounting means for rotating the curved surface for the cladding of the curved surface; and (e) indexing means configured for moving the arm parallel to a longitudinal axis of the curved surface without rotation of the diffuser nozzle and with the diffuser nozzle substantially facing downwardly toward the curved surface, so as to clad the curved surface during the rotation of the curved surface; wherein the diffuser is operable to deliver the cladding powder and a carrier gas to the curved surface, and wherein the powder and carrier gas are each fed from an external powder source and a carrier gas source respectively through and along a powder/gas pathway defined in the elongated arm and exit through the diffuser nozzle, wherein the diffuser is adapted to release excess carrier gas to reduce powder velocity.