US 12,214,443 B2
Systems and methods for generating plasma shields
Faris Hasan Tulbah, Al Khubar (SA); and Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/444,060.
Application 18/444,060 is a division of application No. 17/229,296, filed on Apr. 13, 2021, granted, now 11,938,564.
Prior Publication US 2024/0227076 A1, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B23K 26/142 (2014.01); B23K 26/14 (2014.01); H05H 1/34 (2006.01); H05H 1/40 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 26/142 (2015.10) [B23K 26/1462 (2015.10); H05H 1/341 (2013.01); H05H 1/40 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for use in laser operations, the system comprising:
a laser head for directing a laser beam substantially towards a target area on a workpiece;
a plasma generator for providing a plasma for creating a plasma shield having a shape, wherein the plasma shield substantially surrounds a path of the laser beam and the target area; and
a magnetic system for generating a magnetic field controlling or altering the shape or location, or both, of the plasma shield.