Machining head and laser machining apparatus

• US 6,288,363 B1
• Filed: 06/26/2000
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Kaga, Kunihiko, Ogawa, Shuji, Kanaoka, Masaru, Kotoh, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Heinrich, Samuel M.
• Application Number:
  US09/603,906
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 219/121.51, 219/121.6, 219/121.61, 219/121.63, 219/121.67, 219/121.72, 219/121.84, 372/109, 372/701
• US Class Current: 219/121.84
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/1435 involving specially adapted flow control means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/1438 for directional control
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/1476 Features inside the nozzle for feeding the fluid stream through the nozzle

Abstract

A machining head of a laser machining apparatus comprises a main assist gas nozzle at the center portion of the machining head for supplying a main assist gas and one or more annular sub assist gas nozzles surrounding the main assist gas nozzle, whose jet outlet of the innermost diameter is larger or equal to the jet outlet of main assist gas. The jet outlet of the main assist gas nozzle is positioned at upstream of said jet outlets of the respective sub assist gas nozzle. According to the above construction, the jet gas pressure and the jet gas velocity vary continuously at the assist gas jet outlet and the jet gas pressure and flow velocity fluctuation of the main assist gas are increased.

Claims

1. A machining head of a laser machining apparatus through which a laser beam passes, comprising:

a main assist gas nozzle at a center portion of the machining head for supplying a main assist gas;

at least one annular sub assist gas nozzle surrounding the main assist gas nozzle, a jet outlet at an innermost diameter of the annular sub assist gas nozzle being no smaller than a jet outlet of the main assist gas nozzle, for increasing pressure fluctuation and flow fluctuation value of the main assist gas flow; and

sub assist gas supply inlets which are located around the main assist gas supply inlet and adjust the sub assist gas flow.

2. A machining head according to claim 1 wherein said main assist gas and the sub assist gas are supplied from a common gas source to the main assist gas supply inlet and the sub assist gas supply inlets.

3. A machining head according to claim 2, further comprising:

aperture area adjusting means located at the sub assist gas supply inlets for adjusting sub assist gas flow.

4. A machining head according to claim 3, further comprising:

at least one fluid resistance body located at the sub assist gas supply inlets for adjusting sub assist gas flow.

5. A machining head of a laser machining apparatus through which a laser beam passes, comprising:

a main assist gas nozzle at a center portion of the machining head for supplying a main assist gas;

at least one annular sub assist gas nozzle surrounding the main assist gas nozzle, a jet outlet at an innermost diameter of the annular sub assist gas nozzle being no smaller than a jet outlet of the main assist gas nozzle, for increasing pressure fluctuation and flow fluctuation value of the main assist gas flow;

a static pressure conversion means which converts dynamic pressure of an assist gas which flows into the sub assist gas nozzle through sub assist gas supply inlets into static pressure; and

sub assist gas supply inlets which are located around the main assist gas supply inlet and adjust the sub assist gas flow.

6. A machining head according to claim 5 wherein said main assist gas and the sub assist gas are supplied from a common gas source to the main assist gas supply inlet and the sub assist gas supply inlets.

7. A machining head according to claim 6, further comprising:

aperture area adjusting means located at the sub assist gas supply inlets for adjusting sub assist gas flow.

8. A machining head according to claim 7, further comprising:

at least one fluid resistance body located at the sub assist gas supply inlets for adjusting sub assist gas flow.