Multi-Glazed Window Decoating With Interface-Aware Laser Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser decoating systems are unable to effectively remove a portion of a coating system on multi-glazed windows of unknown composition and configuration, which are already mounted on structures, due to variations in glass panel thickness and coating system position.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an optical system to detect the position of the coating system and a displacement control unit to adjust the laser focus, using near-infrared and confocal units to accurately position the decoating means along the X, Y, and Z axes, enabling precise focusing on the coating system regardless of the window's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a laser decoating system is used to remove coating portions, then electromagnetic transmission is improved, but the system cannot adapt to windows with unknown composition and varying glass thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system performs preliminary scanning to detect the position of the coating system and measure glass panel thickness before the laser decoating process begins. This advance detection allows the system to pre-calculate and adjust the laser focal position, ensuring precise focusing despite variations in window configuration. The detection unit scans the multi-glazed window to identify interface positions and coating locations, storing this information for subsequent laser processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the optical detection system continuously monitors the position of the coating system and the actual focal position of the laser. Based on detected deviations from the expected coating position (due to varying glass thickness or interface locations), the system dynamically adjusts the laser focal distance in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures that the laser remains precisely focused on the coating system regardless of window configuration variations.
2Ease of operation
If the laser is always focused on the internal surface of the second glass panel, then the apparatus is simple to operate, but it cannot effectively decoat windows where the coating system is positioned on different interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static focusing approach (fixed focal position on the second glass panel) to a dynamic focusing approach. The focal position of the laser is no longer fixed but is continuously adjusted based on real-time detection of the coating system's actual location. The control unit modifies the laser focal distance dynamically according to the detected interface position and coating layer location, enabling the same apparatus to effectively decoat windows with coating systems positioned on any interface.
3Reliability
If the total decoated surface is limited to 1-3% of the total coating system surface, then the properties of the coating system are preserved, but the electromagnetic transmission improvement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly decoating the entire coating system or applying a fixed pattern, the system uses locally optimized decoating strategies. The laser selectively removes coating material from specific critical regions where decoating provides the maximum electromagnetic transmission benefit. The detection system identifies optimal decoating locations, and the laser applies localized removal patterns (such as linear patterns or segmented removal) concentrated in these high-impact areas, achieving superior transmission improvement with minimal total decoated surface area.
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 the removal of a portion of the coating system on multi-glazed windows, improving electromagnetic transmission while preserving the window's properties, and can adapt to various window configurations and curvatures, even when installed on structures.
Implementation Method 1
decoating means including a laser source and a lens array configured to focus said laser source at a focus distance
Implementation Method 2
one optical system configured to detect on which interface said coating system is localized, and to estimate a distance between said decoating means and the detected interface
Implementation Method 3
using near-infrared and confocal units to accurately position the decoating means along the X, Y, and Z axes
Implementation Method 4
using near-infrared and confocal units to accurately position the decoating means
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for removing a portion of a coating system present in a multi-glazed window including: a decoating component to focus a laser source at a focus distance; two motors to move the decoating component along the X and Y axis; one optical system to detect on which interface the coating system is localized, and to estimate a distance between the decoating component and the detected interface; a third motor to control the position of the decoating component along a Z axis; and a displacement control unit of the third motor to displace the decoating component of a displacement distance equal to the difference between the estimated distance and said the distance in order to focus the decoating component on the detected interface.