US4151014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser annealing
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1977-05-31
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Granted: 1979-04-24
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Expires: 1997-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A selected portion of a nonferrous, metallic workpiece, such as a copper or copper alloy workpiece, is annealed to a controlled degree of temper by irradiating the selected portion of the workpiece with a pulsed laser beam, while so regulating a parameter of the pulsed laser beam as to effect the desired, controlled degree of temper. The regulated parameter may be the intensity and/or duration of a laser pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney S. Charschan
- 👤 Edward S. Tice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:51
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F3/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/902; Y10S148/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of annealing a selected portion of a hardened nonferrous, metallic workpiece to a controlled degree of intermediate temper, comprising the steps of: (a) irradiating the selected portion of the hardened nonferrous, metallic workpiece with a pulsed laser beam; while (b) so regulating a parameter of the pulsed laser beam as to effect said controlled degree of intermediate temper.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of annealing a selected portion of a hardened nonferrous, metallic workpiece to a controlled degree of intermediate temper, comprising the steps of: (a) irradiating the selected portion of the hardened nonferrous, metallic workpiece with a pulsed laser beam; while (b) so regulating a parameter of the pulsed laser beam as to effect said controlled degree of intermediate temper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises: (c) regulating at least one of the intensity and pulse length of the laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises: (c) regulating the intensity of the pulsed laser beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises: (c) regulating the pulse length of the laser beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises: (c) regulating both the intensity and the pulse length of the laser beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises: (c) irradiating the selected portion of the nonferrous, metallic workpiece with a single pulse of laser energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 6, wherein step (c) further comprises: (d) irradiating the selected portion of the nonferrous, metallic workpiece with a pulse of at least five millisecond duration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as set forth in claim 6, further comprising the preliminary steps of: (d) pulsing the laser beam at least once prior to the performance of step (c); while (e) directing the laser beam away from the nonferrous, metallic workpiece for each pulse of the laser during step (d).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3650846A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-23 | 1982-10-23 | 1983-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-23 | 1986-10-23 | 1987-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-23 | 1990-10-23 | 1991-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |