초록 ▼

A welding torch which combines features of both laser and plasma-arc welding torches. A laser beam is directed by an objective lens so that it is co-linear with the central axis of a plasma-arc torch. The laser beam passes through a planar or conical cathode electrode placed at the bottom orifice of

A welding torch which combines features of both laser and plasma-arc welding torches. A laser beam is directed by an objective lens so that it is co-linear with the central axis of a plasma-arc torch. The laser beam passes through a planar or conical cathode electrode placed at the bottom orifice of the torch. A coaxial aperture having a diameter less than that of the laser beam is drilled into the cathode to allow the laser beam to pass through the cathode. A constricting nozzle is placed under the cathode, with the laser beam passing through the axis of the nozzle. As with a standard plasma-arc torch, a gas is forced through a chamber having the cathode and nozzle at its bottom end. As the cathode is heated by the laser radiation, the gas is ionized and a plasma-arc is formed. As the laser beam passes through the nozzle, it comes to a focus and interacts with the plasma-arc formed between the cathode and a workpiece. The resulting interactions between the plasma-arc and laser beam form a plasma-laser discharge which acts to additionally constrict the laser beam and plasma-arc and increase the energy density of the welding spot formed on the workpiece.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A plasmotron torch, for applications such as welding, combining laser and plasma-arc technologies, and capable of efficiently producing high energy densities at the surface of a workpiece, comprising:(a) a main body having an output end and a central axis of revolution;(b

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A plasmotron torch, for applications such as welding, combining laser and plasma-arc technologies, and capable of efficiently producing high energy densities at the surface of a workpiece, comprising:(a) a main body having an output end and a central axis of revolution;(b) a source of an input laser beam;(c) means for directing said input laser beam colinearly with said central axis of revolution, so that said laser beam has a beam diameter at said output end; and(d) a cathode having a proximal end and a distal end, placed at said output end of said main body, and having an aperture centered on said central axis of revolution through which said laser beam can pass, said aperture having an aperture diameter at said distal end that is less than said beam diameter, said cathode having a wall, said wall having a thickness, said cathode having a bulb, closer to said distal end than to said proximal end, whereat said wall thickness is greater, at at least one point, than said wall thickness at at least one point between said bulb and said proximal end; and(e) means for forming an electric arc between the cathode and the workpiece.