Apparatus, including a diode laser array, for removing automobile windshields
AssigneeOpto Power Corporation
InventorsLesley Rogers, Thomas Carr Dearmin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Damaged automobile windshields are removed using an array of laser diodes. The diodes are chosen to provide light energy at a wavelength to be focused on and absorbed by the ceramic layer coating the windshield edge and to which is bonded the adhesive layer which holds the windshield in place. In practice, the diode array is moved along the windshield edge directing light through the windshield at the ceramic layer. The laser array comprises a linear array of diodes, having a length to span the width of the adhesive band.
Claims6
A method of removing a windshield from a frame of an automobiles said method comprising the steps of directing light output from an array of laser diodes at a ceramic layer present on an inside face of said windshield about a periphery thereof and conforming to said frame, maintaining said light output at a wavelength absorbed by said ceramic layer, and moving said light output along a path of said ceramic layer for a time and at a rate of travel to carbonize an adhesive layer between said ceramic layer and said frame.
A method of removing a windshield from a frame of an automobile, said windshield including on a frame-facing surface thereof a ceramic layer conforming to said frame and secured thereto by an adhesive layer, said method comprising the steps of directing light output from a laser source at said ceramic layer, maintaining said light output at a wavelength absorbed by said ceramic layer, and moving said light output along a path of said ceramic layer for a time and at a rate of travel to carbonize said adhesive layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.