US 7,321,104 B2
Cooling duct of a laser processing machine
Michael Wessner, Gerlingen (Germany)
Assigned to TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG, Ditzingen (Germany)
Filed on Mar. 05, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/792,903.
Claims priority of application No. 03004784 (EP), filed on Mar. 05, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2004/0232120 A1, Nov. 25, 2004
Int. Cl. B23K 26/14 (2006.01); B23K 26/16 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 219—121.67  [219/121.86; 219/121.84] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for the removal of waste heat and material during laser cutting of a hollow workpiece by a laser beam, the apparatus comprising:
a duct with external dimensions that permit insertion of at least a portion of the duct within the hollow workpiece;
a chamber within the duct for receiving the laser beam;
an opening in an outer surface of the duct for admitting the laser beam into the chamber;
a liquid inlet in the duct for supplying a liquid to the chamber;
a gas inlet in the duct for supplying a gas to the chamber; whereby the opening for the laser, the liquid inlet and the gas inlet are separate and distinct from each other; and
a nozzle that is fluidly coupled to the liquid inlet, to the gas inlet, and to the chamber for supplying a mixture of the liquid and the gas to the chamber.