20240024986. SYSTEMS FOR LASER WELDING WITH PLASMA PROTECTION simplified abstract (GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC)

SYSTEMS FOR LASER WELDING WITH PLASMA PROTECTION

Organization Name

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor(s)

Baixuan Yang of Canton MI (US)

Wei Zeng of Oakland Township MI (US)

Hui-ping Wang of Troy MI (US)

Stephen Kyle Greutman of Sterling Heights MI (US)

Eric Barnhart of Clinton Township MI (US)

Andrew Hromadka of Ann Arbor MI (US)

SYSTEMS FOR LASER WELDING WITH PLASMA PROTECTION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240024986 titled 'SYSTEMS FOR LASER WELDING WITH PLASMA PROTECTION

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a laser welding system that is used to join two workpieces together. The system includes a laser welder that emits a laser beam at a specific power to create a weld at the desired location. A plasma protection fixture is attached to at least one of the workpieces and has an opening to receive the laser beam. The fixture surrounds and is spaced apart from the weld, and its height above the workpiece surface is determined based on the power of the laser beam.

• The laser welding system is designed to join two workpieces using a laser beam.
• A plasma protection fixture is used to protect the weld area from plasma generated during the welding process.
• The fixture has an opening to receive the laser beam and is positioned above the workpiece surface.
• The height of the fixture above the workpiece surface is determined based on the power of the laser beam.

Potential applications of this technology:

• Manufacturing industries that require precise and strong welds, such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics.
• Joining dissimilar materials that are difficult to weld using traditional methods.
• High-speed production lines where laser welding can provide efficient and accurate joining.

Problems solved by this technology:

• Minimizes the formation of plasma during laser welding, which can negatively affect the quality of the weld.
• Provides protection to the surrounding area of the weld, preventing damage or contamination.
• Enables precise control over the welding process, resulting in stronger and more reliable welds.

Benefits of this technology:

• Improved weld quality and strength.
• Increased efficiency and productivity in the welding process.
• Ability to weld dissimilar materials.
• Reduced need for post-welding processes, such as grinding or polishing.

Original Abstract Submitted

a laser welding system for joining a first workpiece to a second workpiece includes a laser welder configured to emit a laser beam at a power to form a weld to join the first workpiece and the second workpiece at a weld location. the laser welding system includes a plasma protection fixture coupled to a surface of at least the first workpiece. the plasma protection fixture defines an opening configured to receive the laser beam. the opening has a perimeter that surrounds and is spaced apart from the weld. the plasma protection fixture has a height above the surface of at least the first workpiece about the perimeter of the opening that is defined based on the power of the laser beam.