Color Sensing Laser Decoating with Common Optics Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser-based coating removal systems face challenges in maintaining correspondence between the camera field of view and laser scanner coordinates due to surface curvature or movement, leading to incorrect stripping of desired and undesired locations.
Innovation Solution
A coating removal apparatus and method that integrates laser scanning optics with a color sensing system, using a common optics path to direct laser pulses and reflected light to a photosensitive detector for precise alignment and determination of coating removal, ensuring accurate targeting and uniform energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a television camera is used to observe the field being stripped and a computer to analyze the image, then color-based selection for selective stripping is enabled, but correspondence between the camera field of view and laser scanner coordinates cannot be maintained due to surface curvature or movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the camera observation system and laser scanning system into a single integrated coordinate system. By mounting the camera on the laser scanner housing and using the same scanning mirrors for both systems, both the camera and laser operate from identical viewing angles and coordinate references, eliminating the correspondence mismatch problem that occurs with separate systems when surfaces are curved or moving.
2Device complexity
If separate observation and scanning systems are used, then system complexity is reduced, but coordinate mismatch occurs leading to incorrect stripping locations
Solution Approach 1:
The laser scanner housing and scanning mirrors serve dual functions: they both scan the laser beam for coating removal and position the camera for observation. This multi-functionality ensures that both systems share the same mechanical platform and coordinate system, providing universal reference frames that prevent location mismatches while avoiding the need for separate mounting and calibration systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures precise and uniform coating removal by maintaining correspondence between scanning optics conditions and local surface color parameters, improving the accuracy and efficiency of the coating removal process.
Implementation Method 1
Laser-based coating removal systems use pulses of light from high power lasers to ablate or vaporize the paint or other coating from a surface
Implementation Method 2
The optical lenses typically convert (collimate) the dispersing radiant energy to a second beam with the radiant energy directed more parallel to the input beam axis
Implementation Method 3
one or more condensing (focusing) lens can be used to focus the collimated beam energy to a fine point at the target's surface
Implementation Method 4
The reflected light is separated from the laser path at some location and sent to a photosensitive detector
Data Source
AI summary
A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.