Protective Nozzle Centripetal Air Jet for Laser Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective nozzles for laser cameras provide only partial and unsatisfactory long-term protection against welding fumes, often requiring external air jets and experiencing air pressure-induced vibrations and contamination, especially when multiple apertures are large.
Innovation Solution
A protective nozzle design featuring a single transparent plate with integrated air jets produced by internal passages and gaps, eliminating the need for external air pressure on the internal plate and allowing for easy replacement, using pressurized air from the camera's internal cooling system to create a centripetal air jet around each optical aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If air pressure is applied on the internal surface of a protective plate to protect against welding fumes, then protection against contamination is improved, but air pressure fluctuations cause undesired vibration of the protective plate and rapid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The protective plate is divided into multiple segments corresponding to each aperture, with each segment independently supported by contouring air pockets. This segmentation allows each segment to be stabilized by its own air cushion, preventing vibration while maintaining protection against welding fumes.
Solution Approach 2:
A layer of pressurized air is introduced as an intermediary between the protective plate and the aperture, creating a stable air cushion that supports the plate segments. This air intermediary absorbs pressure fluctuations and prevents direct transmission of vibrations to the plate, while still providing effective contamination protection.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple apertures are used in the protective plate, then coverage of the frontal optical portion is improved, but contamination occurs more rapidly and protection becomes unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The protective plate with multiple apertures is segmented into separate sections, each supported by its own contouring air pocket. This ensures that each aperture region maintains stable protection independently, preventing the contamination issues that arise with large continuous plate areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Each aperture region receives localized pressurized air support from its dedicated contouring air pocket, providing tailored protection quality for each specific aperture. This local quality approach ensures consistent protection across the entire multi-aperture plate, maintaining reliability even as coverage area increases.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a protective plate with notches is used to allow air escape, then air flow is improved, but only partial protection of the window area is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating notches in the protective plate to allow air escape, the invention inverts the approach by containing the pressurized air in contouring air pockets behind the plate. The air is directed outward through controlled gaps, providing both efficient air flow and complete protection coverage without compromising either function.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If external air jets are used to protect windows, then protection against welding fumes is improved, but device complexity and external air supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective nozzle merges the functions of protection against welding fumes and air supply into a single integrated component. The contouring air pockets and internal passages combine the protective plate support function with the air delivery function, eliminating the need for separate external air jets and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective nozzle serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the optical apertures from contamination, supports the protective plate segments, and delivers pressurized air. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external air supply systems while maintaining effective protection.
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 design offers comprehensive protection against welding fumes, reduces contamination risks, allows for longer usage between plate replacements, and eliminates air pressure-induced vibrations, while being compact and economical, especially suitable for aluminum welding.
Implementation Method 1
an air gap for escape of pressurized air from the contouring air pocket toward the aperture in a form of a centripetal air jet along the transparent plate
Data Source
AI summary
A protective nozzle for protecting a frontal optical portion of a laser camera has a body attachable to the laser camera, apertures extending through the body, a transparent plate extending crosswise to and blocking each aperture on a back side of the body, contouring air pockets recessed in the back side of the body, under the transparent plate and extending around the apertures with lips projecting around the apertures to define air gaps for escape of pressurized air from the contouring air pockets toward the apertures in a form of centripetal air jets along the transparent plate, and an air passage arrangement extending in the body from an air inlet located on a side of the body for receiving pressurized air to the contouring air pockets.