Laser handheld trimming and welding device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12472580-B2
Application number	US-202217829487-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 1, 2022
Priority date	Jun 1, 2022
Publication date	Nov 18, 2025
Grant date	Nov 18, 2025

Abstract

A handheld laser trimming and welding device can include a handheld laser trimming and welding wand and a nozzle. The nozzle can extend from the handheld laser trimming and welding wand to a distal portion, and the nozzle can have an aperture on the distal portion. The distal portion of the nozzle can be configured to optically communicate a laser to the distal portion of the nozzle and fluidically communicate a pressurized gas to the distal portion of the nozzle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A handheld laser trimming and welding device comprising:
a laser welding wand; a nozzle extending from the laser welding wand to a distal portion, the nozzle having an aperture on the distal portion, the nozzle configured to optically communicate a laser to the distal portion of the nozzle and fluidically communicate a pressurized gas to the distal portion of the nozzle; and a pressure wheel assembly attached to the laser welding wand, the pressure wheel assembly configured to apply pressure to a working sheet while the handheld laser trimming and welding device welds the working sheet, the pressure wheel assembly including:
an attachment mechanism configured to attach the pressure wheel assembly to the laser welding wand;
a main support beam extending from the attachment mechanism;
a first pressure wheel support arm, extending from the main support beam;
a second pressure wheel support arm extending from the main support beam such that the main support beam, the first pressure wheel support arm, and the second pressure wheel support arm are U-shaped so that the first pressure wheel support arm positions a first pressure wheel to contact a first sheet of material and the second pressure wheel support arm positions a second pressure wheel to contact a second sheet of material; and
a tension mechanism connected to the first pressure wheel support arm and the second pressure wheel support arm, the tension mechanism configured to apply tension to the first pressure wheel support arm and the second pressure wheel support arm to hold the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material between the first pressure wheel and the second pressure wheel.

2 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a tip attached to the distal portion of the nozzle, the tip is configured to optically communicate a laser and fluidically communicate a pressurized gas therethrough.

3 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 2 , wherein the tip further comprises:
an aperture with a diameter smaller than a diameter of the aperture on the distal portion of the nozzle.

4 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 3 , wherein the tip is copper.

5 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle further comprises:
a sidewall extending from the laser welding wand to the distal portion, the sidewall having an aperture configured to introduce the pressurized gas to the nozzle.

6 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 5 , wherein the pressurized gas is dry compressed air.

7 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 5 , wherein the pressurized gas is oxygen.

8 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 1 , wherein the pressure wheel assembly further comprises:
a main support extending from the attachment mechanism; a first pressure wheel support arm, extending from the main support; and a pressure wheel axle attached to the first pressure wheel support arm, the pressure wheel axle configured to hold a pressure wheel such that the pressure wheel contacts a first sheet of material.

9 . A handheld laser trimming and welding device comprising:
a laser welding wand; a nozzle extending from the laser welding wand to a distal portion, the nozzle having an aperture on the distal portion, the distal portion of the nozzle configured optically communicate a laser to the distal portion of the nozzle and fluidically communicate a pressurized gas to the distal portion of the nozzle; and a pressure wheel assembly attached to the laser welding wand, the pressure wheel assembly configured to apply pressure to a working sheet while the handheld laser trimming and welding device welds the working sheet, the pressure wheel assembly including:
an attachment mechanism configured to attach the pressure wheel assembly to the laser welding wand;
a main support beam extending from the attachment mechanism;
a first pressure wheel support arm. extending from the main support beam; and
a second pressure wheel support arm extending from the main support beam such that the main support beam, the first pressure wheel support arm, and the second pressure wheel support arm are U-shaped so that the first pressure wheel support arm engages a first pressure wheel on a first sheet of material and the second pressure wheel support arm engages a second pressure wheel on a second sheet of material.

10 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 9 , further comprising:
a tip attached to the distal portion of the nozzle, the tip is configured to optically communicate a laser and fluidically communicate a pressurized gas therethrough.

11 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 10 , wherein the tip further comprises:
an aperture with a diameter smaller than a diameter of the aperture on the distal portion of the nozzle.

12 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 11 , wherein the tip is copper.

13 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 9 , wherein the nozzle further comprises:
a sidewall extending from the laser welding wand to the distal portion, the sidewall baving an aperture configured to introduce the pressurized gas to the nozzle.

14 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 13 , wherein the pressurized gas is dry compressed air.

15 . The handheld laser trimming and welding device of claim 9 , the pressure wheel assembly further comprises:
a main support extending from the attachment mechanism; a first pressure wheel support arm, extending from the main support; and a pressure wheel axle attached to the first pressure wheel support arm, the pressure wheel axle configured to hold a pressure wheel such that the pressure wheel contacts a first sheet of material.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Marchione Thierry Andre

Classifications

• B23K26/21 Primary

  by welding · CPC title

• B23K26/1462

  Nozzles; Features related to nozzles · CPC title

• B23K26/702

  Auxiliary equipment · CPC title

• B23K26/361

  for deburring or mechanical trimming (B23K26/351 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B23K26/037

  by pressing on the workpiece, e.g. using a pressing roller foot · CPC title