Laser-Plasma Nozzle Alignment to Prevent Surface Re-Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for working surfaces with laser beams face challenges in reliably preventing re-contamination, as removed contaminants or material can re-deposit on the workpiece surface, particularly during cleaning and shaping processes.
Innovation Solution
A combined device that integrates a laser system and a plasma nozzle, where the laser beam and plasma beam emerge together from the nozzle opening, ensuring simultaneous and precise application onto the workpiece surface, with the plasma beam disintegrating or transforming removed material to prevent re-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a laser beam is used to clean or shape a workpiece surface, then the surface can be effectively worked, but removed contaminants or material can re-deposit on the workpiece surface causing re-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a laser beam system and a plasma beam system into a single integrated device with a common nozzle opening. The laser beam and plasma beam are generated simultaneously and directed onto the same workpiece area, allowing the laser to remove contaminants while the plasma beam simultaneously prevents re-deposition by transforming removed material in the gas phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma beam acts as an intermediary between the laser beam and the workpiece surface. It transforms removed contaminants in the gas phase through chemical reactions and ionization, preventing them from re-depositing on the surface. The plasma beam mediates the interaction between laser energy and workpiece material.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate devices are used for laser beam and plasma beam, then each device can be optimized independently, but aligning the two beams onto the same workpiece area becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam generator and plasma beam generator are merged into a single integrated device sharing a common nozzle opening and optical path. This eliminates the alignment problems of separate devices while allowing independent optimization of each beam generation system through modular design elements within the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam path is nested within the plasma nozzle structure, with the laser beam traveling through the plasma beam path to reach the workpiece. The laser optics are positioned within the nozzle housing, allowing compact integration while maintaining independent control and optimization of each beam system.
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 integrated approach allows for reliable and efficient surface working, preventing re-contamination by ensuring the laser and plasma beams strike the same area, effectively removing contaminants and ensuring a clean, defect-free surface during processes like cleaning, welding, and corrosion removal.
Implementation Method 1
work surfaces of a workpiece by means of a laser beam, for example in order to clean the workpiece by removing contaminants from the workpiece surface
Implementation Method 2
a plasma nozzle which is configured for generating an atmospheric plasma beam... The material removed by the laser beam can be disintegrated or transformed by the plasma beam
Implementation Method 3
The organic contaminants removed by the laser beam can be disintegrated or oxidised by means of the plasma beam
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (2) for working a surface (4) of a workpiece (6) by means of a laser beam (8), comprising a laser system (12) for providing the laser beam (8) and a plasma nozzle (14), which is designed to produce an atmospheric plasma jet (16), wherein the plasma nozzle (14) has a nozzle opening (24, 24′), from which a plasma jet (8) produced in the plasma nozzle (24, 24′) exits during operation, wherein the laser system (12) and the plasma nozzle (14) are arranged in relation to each other and designed in such a way that, during operation, the laser beam (8) exits from the nozzle opening (24, 24′) of the plasma nozzle (14) together with the plasma jet (16). The invention further relates to an assembly (100) having such a device and to a method for operating said device (2).