Apparatus and method for selective processing of materials with radiant energy
AssigneeDouglas Machine Inc.
InventorRichard Jerome Schoeneck
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Abstract
Apparatus selectively processes a substrate using radiant energy. The substrate can consist of any target material having a portion to be processed using the radiant energy and a larger portion to be unprocessed. The apparatus includes a source of radiant energy (preferably a quantum cascade laser) that has a customizable spectrum that can be configured to be specifically absorbed only by the portion to be processed, and a control system for targeting the radiant energy only at the portion to be processed. Specific examples of the use of the apparatus and method are in the technologies of heat-shrinking polyethylene film, fusing toner to paper in a laser printer, heating reaction vessels in DNA testing, and temperature profiling bottle pre-forms.
Claims32
Apparatus for selective processing of a substrate using radiant energy, the substrate having a portion to be processed and a larger portion to be substantially unprocessed, the apparatus comprising:
- a source of radiant energy comprising an emitting element having a customizable spectrum adapted to be configured to be specifically absorbed by the portion to be processed and to be substantially unabsorbed by the larger portion, wherein the source of radiant energy is a quantum cascade laser;
- and
- a control system adapted to target the source of radiant energy only at the portion of the substrate to be processed.
A shrink tunnel for applying radiant energy to polyethylene shrink-wrap film to enclose articles in the film, the shrink tunnel comprising:
- (a) an enclosure;
- (b) a conveyor adapted to move articles through the enclosure;
- (c) a source of radiant energy comprising an emitting element having a customizable spectrum adapted to be configured to be specifically absorbed by the polyethylene shrink-wrap film;
- and
- (d) a control system adapted to target the source of radiant energy at portions of the polyethylene shrink-wrap film to be heated, wherein the source of radiant energy further comprises a quantum cascade laser.
Method comprising:
- providing a quantum cascade laser;
- providing a plastic shaped to define a chamber, with the plastic having an absorption spectrum;
- radiating the plastic with radiant energy from the quantum cascade laser, with the radiating radiant energy having a spectrum;
- and
- adjusting the spectrum of the radiating radiant energy to match the absorption spectrum of the plastic for minimal transmission of the radiant energy through the plastic to limit heating mainly to the plastic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.