Vacuum-Sealed Laser Shroud for Portable Beam Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser applications pose hazards to users due to laser exposure, airborne contaminants, fires, and electrocution, and require large, permanent enclosures that are not suitable for portable or efficient use in manufacturing and maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
A portable laser containment system that includes a mounting structure for a laser scanner, a shroud assembly with vacuum and purge ports, and a seal interface made of pliable material, which creates a vacuum-sealed environment around the laser scanner to contain the beam and effluent, using sensors to control the laser source and ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large permanent laser enclosure is used to protect users from laser hazards, then safety is improved, but device portability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into modular components including a shroud assembly, seal interface, and mounting structure that can be quickly assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the system to maintain safety functionality while becoming portable and easy to deploy at different work locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal interface uses a pliable material that dynamically adapts to the work surface geometry, and the vacuum system dynamically creates sealing force only when needed during operation. This allows the enclosure to transition between portable/non-sealed and secured/sealed states as required.
2Reliability
If a vacuum-sealed shroud assembly is used to contain the laser beam, then containment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A vacuum system is implemented with a vacuum source connected to the shroud assembly through a vacuum port, creating negative pressure to seal the enclosure to the work surface and contain the laser beam. This pneumatic approach provides effective containment without requiring complex mechanical sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal interface is constructed with a pliable material that flexes to conform to the work surface, creating an effective seal when vacuum pressure is applied. This flexible sealing approach simplifies the overall structure compared to rigid mechanical seals while maintaining containment effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pliable seal interface is used to conform to work surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal interface uses a pliable material that can be molded to various shapes and will flex to conform to different work surface geometries. This flexibility provides adaptability to various surfaces while the molding process ensures sufficient manufacturing precision for effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the seal interface material is utilized - when relaxed it is flexible for adaptation, but when subjected to vacuum pressure it becomes sufficiently rigid to maintain seal integrity. This parameter change allows both adaptability and precision to be achieved in different operational states.
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
The system provides a safe and efficient method for performing localized laser applications, reducing technical, operational, and economic barriers while protecting users from laser hazards, and enabling cost-effective and efficient manufacturing and maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
establishing a negative pressure differential between a vacuum pressure inside the shroud assembly and ambient atmospheric pressure during operation of the laser scanner to seal the shroud assembly to the target surface of the workpiece
Implementation Method 2
A distal end of the seal interface is formed of a pliable material that is configured to compress and seal the shroud assembly to a target surface of a workpiece upon establishment of a negative pressure differential
Implementation Method 3
a purge port configured to guide purge gas from a purge gas source toward the laser scanner
Data Source
AI summary
A laser system includes a controller, a laser source, a laser scanner, and a laser containment apparatus. The laser containment apparatus includes a mounting structure for the laser scanner, a shroud assembly coupled to the mounting structure, and a seal interface coupled to the shroud assembly at an opposite end from the laser scanner. The shroud assembly surrounds a working volume of the laser scanner and includes a vacuum port connected to a vacuum source and a purge port that guides purge gas from a purge gas source toward the laser scanner. A distal end of the seal interface is formed of a pliable material that compresses to seal the shroud assembly to a target surface of a workpiece upon establishment of a negative pressure differential between a vacuum pressure inside the shroud assembly and ambient atmospheric pressure.