Method and apparatus for removing impurities from metallic objects
OwnerRobert Langeninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser beam which is caused to impinge upon and evaporate rust and/or other oxidation products from the surface of a metallic object is reflected by the exposed surface upon evaporation of impurities and the intensity of the reflected beam is monitored by a detector whose signals are utilized to vary the intensity of the impinging beam, to vary the area of the spot where the beam impinges upon the object and/or to effect relative movements between the impinging beam and the object.
Claims24
A method of removing impurities from the surface of a metallic object, particularly of removing oxidation products from the surface of an object which contains iron or steel, comprising the steps of directing a beam of coherent radiation upon the object to impinge upon and heat the impurities on the surface of the object to evaporation temperature and to thereby effect evaporation of impurities as well as the exposure of the thus cleaned surface to the impinging beam whereby the cleaned surface reflects the beam;
- and regulating the action of the impinging beam upon the object in dependency on changes in the characteristics of the reflected beam.
Apparatus for removing impurities from the surface of a metallic object, particularly for removing oxidation products from an object which contains iron or steel, comprising a source of coherent radiation;
- means for directing a beam of coherent radiation against the object to impinge upon and heat the impurities on the surface of the object to evaporation temperature and to thereby effect evaporation of impurities as well as the exposure of the thus cleaned surface to the impinging beam whereby the cleaned surface reflects the beam;
- means for monitoring the characteristics of the reflected beam;
- and means for regulating the action of the impinging beam upon the object in dependency on monitored changes in the characteristics of the reflected beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.