Method and apparatus for preventing debris contamination of optical elements used for imaging
AssigneeCreo Inc.
InventorsVincent Charles Beyer, David Bruce Burgess, Marc Aaron Trudeau, Andrew Leroy Dobric
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Abstract
The imaging debris produced by imaging a media with a higher power laser is prevented from accumulating on an optical imaging element by establishing a substantially non-turbulent fluid flow across the optical element. The non-turbulent flow forms a barrier between the optical element and the imaging environment such that debris is not able to reach a surface of the optical element during an imaging operation.
Claims31
An apparatus for preventing the contamination of an optical element in an imaging head for imaging a media that produces imaging debris, the apparatus comprising:
- a fluid source;
- an orifice for directing the fluid source across the front surface of the optical element;
- and,
- a flow collimating element, interposed in the path of the fluid source for producing a substantially non-turbulent fluid flow.
A method for preventing the contamination of an optical element in an imaging head for imaging a media that produces imaging debris, the method comprising steps of:
- collimating a source of pressurised fluid to produce a substantially non-turbulent fluid flow;
- directing the non-turbulent fluid flow across an optical element such that the fluid flow forms a barrier between the optical element and the imaging debris.
Imaging apparatus comprising:
- an optical system configured to direct imaging light onto a medium to be imaged, the optical system including an exposed optical element;
- and,
- a nozzle located to direct a substantially non-turbulent flow of a gas across a surface of the exposed optical element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.