Method and apparatus for removing contaminants and coatings from a substrate using pulsed radiant energy and liquid carbon dioxide
US5613509A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB44D3/166
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved system and method are provided for removing material coatings or contaminants such as paints from a structure. The system and method include a radiant energy source, such as a flashlamp, for irradiating the target area of the structure with the radiant energy sufficient to initiate the pyrolysis and/or ablation of the coating or contaminant and a low temperature carbon dioxide stream which is directed at the target area to disperse the material from the structure, clean the exposed surface and cool the underlying substrate. The low temperature carbon dioxide stream is formed from a liquid carbon dioxide from a liquid carbon dioxide source which undergoes phase transition to yield a predetermined amount of low temperature carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide snow. The system and method eliminate the need for a carbon dioxide pelletizer, a carbon dioxide pellet transport hopper, and a compressed carrier gas which are used in related systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.