United States Patent: 6,429,402

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United States Patent	6,429,402
Dixon , et al.	August 6, 2002

Controlled laser production of elongated articles from particulates

Abstract

It has been discovered that wires and small diameter rods can be produced using laser deposition technology in a novel way. An elongated article such as a wire or rod is constructed by melting and depositing particulate material into a deposition zone which has been designed to yield the desired article shape and dimensions. The article is withdrawn from the deposition zone as it is formed, thus enabling formation of the article in a continuous process. Alternatively, the deposition zone is moved along any of numerous deposition paths away from the article being formed.

Inventors:	Dixon; Raymond D. (Los Alamos, NM); Lewis; Gary K. (Los Alamos, NM); Milewski; John O. (Santa Fe, NM)
Assignee:	The Regents of the University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
Appl. No.:	587183
Filed:	June 2, 2000

Current U.S. Class: 219/121.63; 219/121.64; 219/121.82

Intern'l Class: H05B 001/00

Field of Search: 219/121.6,121.63,121.64,121.65,121.66,121.78,121.82,121.85

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Primary Examiner: Heinrich; Samuel M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bennett; Gemma Morrison

Goverment Interests

This invention was made with government support under Contract No. W-7405-ENG-36 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.

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Current U.S. Class:	*219/121.63; 219/121.64; 219/121.82*
Intern'l Class:	H05B 001/00
Field of Search:	219/121.6,121.63,121.64,121.65,121.66,121.78,121.82,121.85