LIBS Raw Material Sorting with Dual-Pulse Laser Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sorting reusable raw-material pieces using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) face challenges in accurately analyzing chemical composition due to surface coatings and contaminants, leading to distortions and incorrect assignments, especially with thick coatings, and require complex laser focal diameter adjustments for effective removal and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing a single laser for both removing surface coatings and contaminants and analyzing the composition, where the first laser pulses clean a larger area than the second analysis pulses, maintaining a constant focal diameter and point, preventing crater formation and ensuring undistorted analysis, with the cleaning pulses acting on adjacent points to cover a sufficient area for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single laser is used for both removing surface coatings and analyzing composition, then device complexity and costs are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to crater formation and distorted analysis results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser pulse application into two distinct phases: a first phase with multiple laser pulses to remove surface coatings and contaminants, and a second phase with one or more laser pulses for composition analysis. This temporal segmentation allows the same laser system to perform both functions without interference, as each phase is optimized for its specific purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cleaning action by directing multiple laser pulses at the surface of raw-material pieces before composition analysis. This preliminary action removes surface coatings and contaminants that would otherwise distort the analysis, ensuring that the subsequent composition measurement reflects the true material composition rather than surface contaminants.
2Productivity
If the laser focal diameter is adjusted for effective coating removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to complex laser regulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic laser pulse parameters, specifically varying the number of pulses and their individual energies, rather than adjusting focal diameter. The control unit dynamically adapts the pulse sequence based on the thickness and composition of surface coatings, enabling effective cleaning without requiring complex focal diameter regulation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters such as the number of laser pulses and pulse energy to achieve effective coating removal. Instead of modifying the focal diameter, the system varies the temporal and energetic parameters of the laser pulses, which simplifies the laser regulation requirements while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Productivity
If multiple laser pulses are used to remove thick surface coatings, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic laser pulsing to remove surface coatings. Multiple laser pulses are applied in sequence, with each pulse contributing to the progressive removal of coatings. This periodic action is more efficient than continuous laser application, as it allows for optimized pulse timing and energy delivery, reducing overall processing time while maintaining effective cleaning.
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 allows for accurate and efficient sorting of raw-material pieces without distortion, enabling high-throughput processing and reducing costs by eliminating the need for complex laser regulation, while ensuring precise composition analysis and effective detachment of surface layers.
Implementation Method 1
the chemical composition of the raw-material pieces is analyzed by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)... exposed material of the raw-material pieces being converted by the second laser pulses into a plasma
Implementation Method 2
the raw-material pieces in a first step are subjected to a plurality of first laser pulses in order to remove surface coatings and/or contaminants from the raw-material pieces
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sorting reusable raw-material pieces, where the chemical composition of the raw-material pieces is analyzed by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), where the raw-material pieces in a first step are subjected to a plurality of first laser pulses in order to remove surface coatings and/or contaminants from the raw-material pieces, and in a second step, one or more further laser pulses from the same laser are used to generate a plasma.