公开(公告)号：US5247155A

公开(公告)日：1993-09-21

申请号：US741137

申请日：1991-08-07

申请人： William M. Steen ,  Lin Li ,  David J. Brookfield ,  Qi Ning

发明人： William M. Steen ,  Lin Li ,  David J. Brookfield ,  Qi Ning

IPC分类号： B23K26/03 ,  B23K26/14

CPC分类号： B23K26/1423 ,  B23K26/03

摘要： Apparatus and method for monitoring laser materials processing, such as laser welding and laser drilling, wherein an indication of the quality of the processing is obtained by monitoring the plasma generated spaced charge distribution near the melt pool. A metal electrode, or electrodes, is disposed near the melt pool but not in contact with the workpiece, nor necessarily in contact with the hot plasma. The electric charge distribution (one dimensional or multi-dimensional) is monitored between the electrode or electrodes and the workpiece or between the electrodes themselves. The existing laser processing nozzle (insulated from the workpiece) can be used for this purpose, multi-probes such as a quadrant nozzle, can identify the focused laser beam position in real time.