Method and apparatus for material processing

US7379483B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · US

Inventors

• Paul E. Denney · Columbus, US
• Jay R. Eastman · Westerville, US
• Paul M. Fallara · Columbus, US
• Andrew P. Joseph · Johnstown, US
• John S. Phillips · Purchase, US
• Ta-Chieh Huang · Dublin, US
• Michael N. Patena · Pataskala, US
• Tim Burnham · Reynoldsburg, US
• Paul Coleman · Minneapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 16, 2005
• Grant date: May 27, 2008
• Expiry date: Jan 20, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B23K26/1476
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.