Apparatus and method for removing paint from a surface
OwnerGail Wallace, Byron Wallaceinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods adapted for removing a layer of paint, sealant, or adhesive from a surface of an article, including wooden, metal, plaster, stone, and brick articles. The apparatuses are provided with a module comprising at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb that generates short-wavelength infrared radiation. The module has an opening through which the infrared radiation is emitted from the module, and the intensity and wavelengths of the infrared radiation are controlled to selectively attain temperatures in a range of about 90 to 375° C. at the surface of the article when located a distance of about 5 to 15 centimeters from the opening of the module.
Claims13
A method of removing a layer of paint, sealant, or adhesive from a surface of a wooden or metal article, the method comprising:
- generating infrared radiation with at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb, the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb having a maximum rated power level;
- emitting the infrared radiation through an opening of a module that contains the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb;
- controlling, by means of a control unit that supplies controlled power to the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb and is configured to adjust a temperature of the layer on the article by controlling intensity and wavelengths of the infrared radiation generated by the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb, the intensity of the infrared radiation and the wavelengths of the infrared radiation to have a peak in a range of 1.7 to 3 micrometers by regulating the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb with the control unit to maintain a power setting of less than the maximum rated power level to selectively attain the temperature of the layer in a range of about 90 to 375° C. while the article is located a distance from the opening of the module;
- emitting the infrared radiation for a period of time sufficient to soften the layer on the article while regulating the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb with the control unit to adjust the temperature of the layer by maintaining the power setting at less than the maximum rated power level to control the intensity and the wavelengths of the infrared radiation;
- and
- removing the layer from the article.
A method of removing a layer of paint, sealant, or adhesive from a surface of a plaster, stone, or brick article, the method comprising:
- generating infrared radiation with at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb, the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb having a maximum rated power level;
- emitting the infrared radiation through an opening of a module that contains the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb;
- controlling, by means of a control unit that supplies controlled power to the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb and is configured to adjust a temperature of the layer on the article by controlling intensity and wavelengths of the infrared radiation generated by the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb, the intensity of the infrared radiation and the wavelengths of the infrared radiation to have a peak in a range of 1.7 to 3 micrometers by regulating the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb with the control unit to maintain a power setting of less than the maximum rated power level to selectively attain the temperature of the layer in a range of about 200 to 375° C. while the article is located a distance from the opening of the module;
- emitting the infrared radiation for a period of time sufficient to soften the layer on the article while regulating the at least one carbon infrared emitter bulb with the control unit to adjust the temperature of the layer by maintaining the power setting at less than the maximum rated power level to control the intensity and the wavelengths of the infrared radiation;
- and
- removing the layer from the article.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.