Patents Assigned to General Lasertronics Corporation
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Patent number: 11819939Abstract: A laser-based coating removal apparatus to remove a coating from a surface without damaging the surface. The apparatus comprises a laser source to provide a laser light, a routing element coupled to the laser source and configured to direct the laser light onto a target region of the surface thereby removing the coating from the target region, and a detection element to detect the coating as the coating separates from the target region of the surface. The detection element is able to prevent the surface from being damaged by limiting or eliminating the laser light directed onto the target region after all the coating has been removed. The detection element is able to detect the separation of the coating from the target region by detecting incandescence, acoustic signature, motion, fluorescence and/or chemical properties produced by the separation of the coating from the surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Raymond J. Noel, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 11338391Abstract: A laser-based method of removing a coating from a surface comprises directing a laser pulse to a first position on the surface, removing the coating from the first position by rapidly elevating a surface temperature of the first position using the laser pulse and thereby disassociating the coating from the surface and collecting the disassociated coating. In some embodiments, the coating comprises an environmentally harmful substance such as Hexavalent Chromium. In some embodiments, the coating comprises Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), Vitrified Contaminant Material (CMAS). The disassociated coating is collected by a waste collector.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool, Robert L. Cargill
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Patent number: 11045900Abstract: A laser-based coating removal apparatus to remove a coating from a surface without damaging the surface. The apparatus comprises a laser source to provide a laser light, a routing element coupled to the laser source and configured to direct the laser light onto a target region of the surface thereby removing the coating from the target region, and a detection element to detect the coating as the coating separates from the target region of the surface. The detection element is able to prevent the surface from being damaged by limiting or eliminating the laser light directed onto the target region after all the coating has been removed. The detection element is able to detect the separation of the coating from the target region by detecting incandescence, acoustic signature, motion, fluorescence and/or chemical properties produced by the separation of the coating from the surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Raymond J. Noel, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 10112257Abstract: A laser-based coating removal apparatus to remove a coating from a surface without damaging the surface. The apparatus comprises a laser source to provide a laser light, a routing element coupled to the laser source and configured to direct the laser light onto a target region of the surface thereby removing the coating from the target region, and a detection element to detect the coating as the coating separates from the target region of the surface. The detection element is able to prevent the surface from being damaged by limiting or eliminating the laser light directed onto the target region after all the coating has been removed. The detection element is able to detect the separation of the coating from the target region by detecting incandescence, acoustic signature, motion, fluorescence and/or chemical properties produced by the separation of the coating from the surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Ray Noel, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 10086597Abstract: A laser-based coating removal method debonds a film from a substrate rather than ablating the film. A laser light is transmitted through a transparent film to an underlying bonding layer for bonding the film to one or more additional films and/or a substrate. The laser light is absorbed at the bonding layer and the transparent film is released. In some embodiments, after the transparent film is released it is able to be physically removed.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventor: Richard T. Simko
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Patent number: 9895771Abstract: A laser-based method of removing a coating from a surface comprises directing a laser pulse to a first position on the surface, removing the coating from the first position by rapidly elevating a surface temperature of the first position using the laser pulse and thereby disassociating the coating from the surface and collecting the disassociated coating. In some embodiments, the coating comprises an environmentally harmful substance such as Hexavalent Chromium. In some embodiments, the coating comprises Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), Vitrified Contaminant Material (CMAS). The disassociated coating is collected by a waste collector.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool, Robert L. Cargill
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Patent number: 9481052Abstract: A coating removal apparatus removes a coating from a surface. The apparatus has a movable scanning head and scanning optics. The scanning head is movable in one dimension, and the scanning optics adjust in two dimensions to compensate for movement of the scanning head to implement long range scanning with a uniform scanning pattern. Further, a surface roughness is determined by measuring specular and scattered reflections at various angles. For composite surfaces, the apparatus utilizes UV laser radiation and a controlled atmosphere to remove coating and alter the chemical characteristics at the surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Robert L. Cargill, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 9375807Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 9370842Abstract: A coating removal apparatus removes a coating from a surface. The apparatus has a movable scanning head and scanning optics. The scanning head is movable in one dimension, and the scanning optics adjust in two dimensions to compensate for movement of the scanning head to implement long range scanning with a uniform scanning pattern. Further, a surface roughness is determined by measuring specular and scattered reflections at various angles. For composite surfaces, the apparatus utilizes UV laser radiation and a controlled atmosphere to remove coating and alter the chemical characteristics at the surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Robert L. Cargill, Mitchell R. Wool
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Publication number: 20140069897Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 8610025Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 8536483Abstract: A coating removal apparatus removes a coating from a surface. The apparatus has a movable scanning head and scanning optics. The scanning head is movable in one dimension, and the scanning optics adjust in two dimensions to compensate for movement of the scanning head to implement long range scanning with a uniform scanning pattern. Further, a surface roughness is determined by measuring specular and scattered reflections at various angles. For composite surfaces, the apparatus utilizes UV laser radiation and a controlled atmosphere to remove coating and alter the chemical characteristics at the surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Robert L. Cargill, Mitchell R. Wool
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Publication number: 20120321735Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: GENERAL LASERTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 8269135Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Publication number: 20120006806Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: GENERAL LASERTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 8030594Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 7800014Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses and light illumination to a coated surface. Reflected light resulting from the light illumination impinging the coated surface is directed to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The reflected light is either sensed directly from the coated surface by the photosensitive detector or the reflected light is directed along at least a portion of the common optics path to the photosensitive detector. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the coating removal apparatus is configured as a head component coupled to a body component.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Publication number: 20100044357Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: GENERAL LASERTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 7633033Abstract: A coating removal apparatus utilizing a common optics path to provide laser pulses to a coated surface and to direct a light illumination reflected from the coated surface to a photosensitive detector and analyzer. The apparatus is an integrated device including a laser source, a beam splitter, scanning optics, a waste removal apparatus, one or more light illuminators, a photosensitive detector, a comparator, and a control logic circuit. Alternatively, the laser source is external to the integrated device and a fiber optic cable is used to connect the laser source to the integrated device.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Mitchell R. Wool
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Patent number: 6437285Abstract: A method and system for treating internal surface material overlying the interior of a tubular a substrate, and more particularly, to a system for ablating contaminates and other unwanted material from an internal surface 52 using a pulsed laser beam (38). The system includes three main sub-systems: a back end (30), a work head (100), and an umbilical tube (31) to protect conduits communicating between the back end (30) and the work head (100). The back end (30) includes heavy and bulky equipment such as a laser (32), chiller (4), pressurized air source (70), suction system (84), waste containment system (82), and electric power source (78). A conveyance such as a trailer (17) may enclose the back end (30) to make it transportable. The work head (100) includes a propeller driven rotating mirror assembly (380), and a lens assembly (520). During operation, the work head (100) is inserted in the tube or pipe and the laser (32) activated.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1998Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: General Lasertronics CorporationInventors: James W. Thomas, Terry Fuchser