Patent ID: 8546720
Filing Date: 2013-10-01
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A hybrid welding system comprising: a hybrid welder, the hybrid welder having a defocused laser and an electric arc welder; at least two adjacent components to be welded, the at least two adjacent components having a gap therebetween, the gap being up to approximately 3.0 millimeters; at least one bridge piece, wherein the at least one bridge piece is adjacent to one or more of the at least two adjacent components; wherein the defocused laser and the electric arc welder are arranged and disposed to direct energy toward the at least two adjacent components to create a common molten pool, and wherein the defocused laser provides additional energy allowing the common molten pool to melt the at least one bridge piece without dropping a weld through the bridge piece to provide a full penetration weld to bridge the gap at a high constant weld speed.