Flexible and local laser shroud
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsScott E. Krajca, Cooper A. Wessells
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Abstract
Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for a flexible and local laser shroud that conforms to a contoured work surface and confines laser light energy from a laser end effector to the work surface. In one example, a system includes a laser end effector coupled to a robotic arm to provide laser light energy to a work surface. The system also includes a shroud coupled to the end of the robotic arm and extending to the work surface. The system further includes, as part of the shroud, a flexible laser light seal to conform to the work surface to substantially prevent the laser light energy from passing between the shroud and the work surface as the laser end effector travels along the work surface.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a laser end effector coupled to a robotic arm and configured to provide laser light energy to a work surface;
- and
- a shroud coupled to an end of the robotic arm and extending to the work surface, wherein the shroud comprises a flexible laser light seal configured to conform to the work surface to substantially prevent the laser light energy from passing between the shroud and the work surface as the laser end effector travels along the work surface.
A method comprising:
- turning on a laser end effector coupled to a robotic arm;
- lasing a work surface by the laser end effector;
- moving the laser end effector along the work surface by the robotic arm;
- and
- confining laser light energy from the laser end effector to the work surface with a shroud coupled to the robotic arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.