Liner Resin Curing Using Wavelength-Converting Optical Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV-based curing methods for liners are inefficient as UV light does not penetrate deeply, leading to incomplete curing of deeper regions and prolonged curing times, with much light intensity being lost due to absorption and non-effective wavelengths being irradiated.
Innovation Solution
A resin system utilizing optical materials that emit secondary electromagnetic radiation, such as harmonics or overtones, to activate initiators, allowing for efficient curing with longer wavelengths like infrared, which are converted to UV light within the resin system for homogeneous and fast curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If UV light is used for curing liners, then the curing process can be initiated, but the light cannot penetrate deeply into the liner resulting in incomplete curing of deeper regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical material as an intermediary substance within the resin system that absorbs the irradiated light and converts it to secondary electromagnetic radiation. This intermediary enables deep penetration by transforming the incident radiation into a form that can effectively cure deeper regions of the liner without requiring the primary light to penetrate the entire depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the electromagnetic radiation by utilizing optical materials that convert incident light into secondary radiation with different wavelengths. This parameter transformation allows the curing process to effectively reach deeper regions by converting UV or visible light into radiation that penetrates more deeply and activates initiators throughout the entire liner thickness.
2Volume of moving object
If UV light intensity is increased to cure deeper regions, then curing depth improves, but thermal damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the electromagnetic radiation used for curing. By using optical materials that convert incident light into secondary radiation with optimal wavelengths for initiator activation, the system achieves effective deep curing without requiring excessive light intensity that would cause thermal damage. The parameter transformation enables curing at safer intensity levels.
3Reliability
If illumination time is extended to ensure complete curing, then curing completeness improves, but process time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical material acts as an intermediary that efficiently converts incident radiation into secondary electromagnetic radiation distributed throughout the resin system. This intermediary mechanism ensures that initiators at all depths are activated simultaneously and effectively, achieving complete curing in a single, optimized illumination cycle rather than requiring extended illumination times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous and homogeneous distribution of activation energy throughout the entire liner volume by using optical materials that emit secondary radiation uniformly. This continuous effective action throughout the curing process eliminates the need for extended illumination times while ensuring complete curing of all regions.
4Productivity
If light with wavelengths not sufficient for curing is irradiated, then energy is wasted, but the curing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wavelength parameter of the electromagnetic radiation by using optical materials that convert incident light into secondary radiation with wavelengths specifically matched to the absorption characteristics of the initiators. This parameter optimization ensures that the emitted radiation is highly effective for initiating curing, eliminating waste of energy on non-effective wavelengths and maximizing curing efficiency.
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
Enables fast and homogeneous curing of thick volumes and thick-walled liners with reduced initiator amounts, minimizing thermal damage and process time, while maintaining high homogeneity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
radiation with the wavelengths of the so-called overtones or harmonics, that is, light with 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, . . . (that is, the first, second, third, . . . harmonic) of the wavelength of the irradiating radiation is also emitted
Implementation Method 2
radiation with the wavelengths of the so-called overtones or harmonics, that is, light with 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, . . . (that is, the first, second, third, . . . harmonic) of the wavelength of the irradiating radiation is also emitted
Implementation Method 3
the optical material ensures that the irradiated light with a long wavelength is emitted by the optical material in the form of overtones with a shorter wavelength
Implementation Method 4
Initiators as used according to the present invention are chemical compounds that decompose following the absorption of electromagnetic radiation in a reaction to form reactive species that can start (initiate) a reaction (usually a polymerisation)
Implementation Method 5
chemical compounds that decompose following the absorption of electromagnetic radiation in a reaction to form reactive species
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a resin system for curing by means of coherent electromagnetic radiation, comprising optical material and at least one initiator, to an uncured liner, a method for curing liners, the use of coherent electromagnetic radiation for curing liners and to a method for curing a resin system.