Patent ID: 8100161

Claim:
In combination, an infrared laser welding system that laser welds with a low absorption through transmission infrared welding process and low absorptive tubular plastic parts welded thereby, comprising: the plastic parts including first and second tubular plastic parts with portions to be welded at a weld interface at a junction of the tubular plastic parts where there is low absorbtivity to infrared laser light at the weld interface, with the portion of the first tubular plastic part coaxially surrounding the portion of the second tubular plastic part; a source of infrared laser light that is directed to the tubular plastic parts to melt the plastic parts at the weld interface; the tubular plastic parts refracting laser light transiting through the tubular plastic parts without being absorbed by them approximately in a half circle; and a photon recirculator, including a cylindrical mirror that coaxially surrounds the portions of the first and second tubular plastic parts to be welded together that redirects to the weld interface the unabsorbed infrared laser light refracted by the tubular plastic parts.