Patent ID: 6060686
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A nozzle for delivering a laser beam to a workpiece under water for localized melting thereof, comprising:a hollow plenum including an inlet and an outlet coaxially aligned and axially spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, and a gas port disposed therebetween;first means for delivering said laser beam through said inlet and outlet toward a localized melting zone on said workpiece; andsecond means for delivering a pressurized cover gas into said gas port for discharge through said outlet to cover said melting zone;said outlet being sized to discharge said gas as a jet for opposing pressure of said water to locally exclude said water at said melting zone; andwherein said first means comprise:a fiber optic cable for transmitting said laser beam; andan optical coupler joined to said cable for receiving said laser beam, and optically joined to said plenum inlet for transmitting said laser beam toward said outlet along said longitudinal axis;said plenum outlet being inclined at an acute angle from perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.