Multi-heat source laser brazing system and method
An improved brazing system having a plurality of heat sources is adapted for brazing in tandem a plurality of adjacent workpieces and for reducing porosity in the braze joint. The system preferably includes a first laser beam that engages the workpieces to vaporize surface contaminants thereupon, a second laser beam configured to melt the brazing material, and a third laser beam configured to further heat the material, so as to extend the thermal cycle thereof or re-melt the material.
1 . A system for joining a plurality of workpieces to form a braze joint, wherein said workpieces cooperatively present an exposed narrow groove, said system comprising:
a fusible material positionable substantially adjacent the groove; and
a plurality of heat energy sources, wherein a portion of said plurality of sources is configured to melt at least a portion of the material into the groove, such that the molten material contacts, interconnects with and is retained by engaging surfaces defined by the workpieces,
said sources being cooperatively configured to produce the joint, wherein the joint consists of the material.
2 . The system as claimed in claim 1 ,
said sources including a first laser beam configured to melt said at least portion of the material.
3 . The system as claimed in claim 2 ,
said laser beam being produced by a YAG, CO 2 or fiber laser.
4 . The system as claimed in claim 1 ,
at least a portion of said sources being produced by a plasma or tungsten arc welder.
5 . The system as claimed in claim 1 ,
at least a portion of said sources being configured to further heat the at least portion of material after the at least portion of material is melted, so as to extend the thermal cycle thereof.
6 . The system as claimed in claim 1 ,
at least a portion of said sources being configured to engage said surfaces and vaporize surface contaminants thereupon, before said at least portion of material is melted.
7 . The system as claimed in claim 6; and
a gaseous stream directed towards the surfaces, and configured to carry vaporized contaminants from the groove.
8 . The claim as claimed in claim 7 ,
said stream consisting essentially of argon or nitrogen.
9 . The claim as claimed in claim 1 ,
said sources including first and second laser beams.
10 . The claim as claimed in claim 9 ,
said first and second laser beams being split from an initial laser beam.
11 . The claim as claimed in claim 9 ,
said first and second laser beams being translatable, and configured to sequentially travel along a joint path, so as to form a continuous seam joint.
12 . The claim as claimed in claim 9 ,
said sources including first, second and third laser beams.
13 . The system as claimed in claim 1 ,
said plurality of sources being produced by a single reciprocating or circulating device.
14 . The system as claimed in claim 1 ,
said material being selected from the group consisting essentially of steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloys, copper, and copper alloys.
15 . A system for joining a plurality of workpieces to form a braze joint, wherein said workpieces cooperatively present an exposed narrow groove, said system comprising:
a fusible material positionable substantially adjacent the groove; and
a plurality of heat energy sources cooperatively configured to produce the joint, including
a first source configured to melt at least a portion of the material into the groove, such that the molten material contacts, interconnects with and is retained by engaging surfaces defined by the workpieces,
a second source configured to engage said surfaces and vaporize surface contaminants thereupon, before said at least portion of material is melted, and
a third source configured to further heat the at least portion of material after the at least portion of material is melted, so as to extend the thermal cycle thereof.
16 . A method of joining a plurality of workpieces to form a braze joint, wherein said workpieces cooperatively present an exposed narrow groove and adjacent joint engaging surfaces, said method comprising the steps of:
a. applying a first quantity of heat energy to at least a portion of the surfaces, so as to vaporize surface contaminants thereupon;
b. securing a fusible material in a position relative to the at least portion of the surfaces, such that the material flows into the groove and contacts the at least portion of the surfaces when melted;
c. applying a second quantity of heat energy to at least a portion of the material sufficient to melt the at least portion of material; and
d. applying a third quantity of heat energy to the at least portion of material, so as to further heat and increase the thermal cycle of the at least portion of material.
17 . The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein separate heat energy sources are utilized to produce the first, second, and third quantities of heat energy.
18 . The method as claimed in claim 16 ,
step (a) further including the steps of directing a laser beam against the at least portion of the surfaces.
19 . The method as claimed in claim 16 ,
step (a) further including the steps of directing a gaseous stream towards the at least portion of the surfaces, so as to displace vaporized contaminants.
20 . The method as claimed in claim 16 ,
steps (c) and (d) further including the steps of directing a laser beam against the at least portion of material.