Abstract: A fence with an integrated guard includes a fence having a bottom end and a guard attached to the lower end of the fence. The guard can wrap around the bottom end of the fence. Alternatively, the guard can extend downwardly from the fence. Still alternatively, the guard can extend between adjacent horizontal members of the fence.

Abstract: A fence with an integrated guard includes a fence having a bottom end and a guard attached to the lower end of the fence. The guard can wrap around the bottom end of the fence. Alternatively, the guard can extend downwardly from the fence. Still alternatively, the guard can extend between adjacent horizontal members of the fence.

Abstract: An extendible firefighting nozzle and supply mechanism for use in penetrating materials and debris for fighting concealed fires in, for example, coal supply, bulk wood chip and combustible grain silo fire incidents. The system includes three primary components to deliver firefighting foam, water and/or inert gas to the fire area. The components include a distribution manifold, a sectional delivery piping extension and interchangeable spray nozzles that are tailored to the specific need. The manifold is a length of piping having handles for the operator to grip and reliably use the system, a hammer cap that allows the user to employ a sledge hammer or impact driver to assist in driving the system into the debris pile or fire area and an output end that interfaces with a nozzle of any number of extension pipes. The interface is modular and threaded using NPTM threading to allow extensions to be added or removed depending on the depth of penetration required.

Abstract: An extendible firefighting nozzle and supply mechanism for use in penetrating materials and debris for fighting concealed fires in, for example, coal supply, bulk wood chip and combustible grain silo fire incidents. The system includes three primary components to deliver firefighting foam, water and/or inert gas to the fire area. The components include a distribution manifold, a sectional delivery piping extension and interchangeable spray nozzles that are tailored to the specific need. The manifold is a length of piping having handles for the operator to grip and reliably use the system, a hammer cap that allows the user to employ a sledge hammer or impact driver to assist in driving the system into the debris pile or fire area and an output end that interfaces with a nozzle of any number of extension pipes. The interface is modular and threaded using NPTM threading to allow extensions to be added or removed depending on the depth of penetration required.

Abstract: A laser-based workpiece processing system includes sensors connected to a sensor controller that converts sensor signals into focused spot motion commands for actuating a beam steering device, such as a two-axis steering mirror. The sensors may include a beam position sensor for correcting errors detected in the optical path, such as thermally-induced beam wandering in response to laser or acousto-optic modulator pointing stability, or optical mount dynamics.

Abstract: A laser-based workpiece processing system includes sensors connected to a sensor controller that converts sensor signals into focused spot motion commands for actuating a beam steering device, such as a two-axis steering mirror. The sensors may include a beam position sensor for correcting errors detected in the optical path, such as thermally-induced beam wandering in response to laser or acousto-optic modulator pointing stability, or optical mount dynamics.

Abstract: A laser processes a workpiece with laser pulses delivered at random time intervals and at substantially constant energy levels by characterizing the laser cavity discharge behavior and utilizing that information for adjusting dummy pulse time periods to compensate for the energy errors. Dummy pulses are laser pulses that are blocked from reaching a workpiece. A second way for providing constant pulse energies employs an AOM for varying amounts of laser energy passed to the workpiece. A third way of providing constant pulse energies entails extending the pulse period of selected pulses to allow additional laser cavity charging time whenever a dummy pulse is initiated.

Abstract: A laser processes a workpiece with laser pulses delivered at random time intervals and at substantially constant energy levels by characterizing the laser cavity discharge behavior and utilizing that information for adjusting dummy pulse time periods to compensate for the energy errors. Dummy pulses are laser pulses that are blocked from reaching a workpiece. A second way for providing constant pulse energies employs an AOM for varying amounts of laser energy passed to the workpiece. A third way of providing constant pulse energies entails extending the pulse period of selected pulses to allow additional laser cavity charging time whenever a dummy pulse is initiated.

Abstract: A laser processes a workpiece with laser pulses delivered at random time intervals and at substantially constant energy levels by characterizing the laser cavity discharge behavior and utilizing that information for adjusting dummy pulse time periods to compensate for the energy errors. Dummy pulses are laser pulses that are blocked from reaching a workpiece. A second way for providing constant pulse energies employs an AOM for varying amounts of laser energy passed to the workpiece. A third way of providing constant pulse energies entails extending the pulse period of selected pulses to allow additional laser cavity charging time whenever a dummy pulse is initiated.

Abstract: A method selectively processes structures on a workpiece with laser pulses. The structures are arranged in a linear pattern having approximately equal pitch. The pulses propagate along a laser beam propagation path terminating at a laser beam spot on the workpiece. The method fires a first processing pulse when the spot coincides with a first structure location, selectively blocks or clears the propagation path during the first pulse, moves the workpiece and the spot relative to one another such that the spot moves toward a second structure location at a speed less than the product of the laser's PRF and the pitch, fires a dummy pulse before the spot reaches the second structure location, blocks the propagation path during the dummy laser pulse, fires another processing pulse when the beam spot coincides with the second structure location, and selectively blocks or clears the propagation path during the second processing pulse.

Abstract: A method of suppressing distortion of a working laser beam directed for incidence on a target specimen presented for processing by a laser link processing system uses a spatial filter to remove stray light-induced distortion from the working laser beam.

Abstract: A laser-based workpiece processing system includes sensors connected to a sensor controller that converts sensor signals into focused spot motion commands for actuating a beam steering device, such as a two-axis steering mirror. The sensors may include a beam position sensor for correcting errors detected in the optical path, such as thermally-induced beam wandering in response to laser or acousto-optic modulator pointing stability, or optical mount dynamics.

Abstract: A laser-based workpiece processing system includes sensors connected to a sensor controller that converts sensor signals into focused spot motion commands for actuating a beam steering device, such as a two-axis steering mirror. The sensors may include a beam position sensor for correcting errors detected in the optical path, such as thermally-induced beam wandering in response to laser or acousto-optic modulator pointing stability, or optical mount dynamics.

Abstract: A method selectively processes structures on a workpiece with laser pulses. The structures are arranged in a linear pattern having approximately equal pitch. The pulses propagate along a laser beam propagation path terminating at a laser beam spot on the workpiece. The method fires a first processing pulse when the spot coincides with a first structure location, selectively blocks or clears the propagation path during the first pulse, moves the workpiece and the spot relative to one another such that the spot moves toward a second structure location at a speed less than the product of the laser's PRF and the pitch, fires a dummy pulse before the spot reaches the second structure location, blocks the propagation path during the dummy laser pulse, fires another processing pulse when the beam spot coincides with the second structure location, and selectively blocks or clears the propagation path during the second processing pulse.

Abstract: A laser-based workpiece processing system includes sensors connected to a sensor controller that converts sensor signals into focused spot motion commands for actuating a beam steering device, such as a two-axis steering mirror. The sensors may include a beam position sensor for correcting errors detected in the optical path, such as thermally-induced beam wandering in response to laser or acousto-optic modulator pointing stability, or optical mount dynamics.

Abstract: Methods and systems operate a machine having a laser characterized by a PRF (pulse repetition frequency) parameter that specifies a PRF at which pulses produced by the laser have desirable pulse properties for irradiating structures on or within a workpiece. The structures are arranged on the workpiece in a linear pattern having an approximately equal pitch between adjacent structures. The laser emits a laser pulse that propagates along a laser beam propagation path terminating at a laser beam spot on the workpiece. The method is effective to move the laser beam spot across the structures along the linear pattern at a speed greater than the product of the PRF and the pitch to selectively irradiate selected ones of the structures with the laser without substantially degrading the desirable pulse properties.

Abstract: A method of suppressing distortion of a working laser beam directed for incidence on a target specimen presented for processing by a laser link processing system uses a spatial filter to remove stray light-induced distortion from the working laser beam.

Abstract: A laser is characterized by a PRF (pulse repetition frequency) parameter that specifies a PRF at which pulses produced by the laser have desirable pulse properties for irradiating a target on or within a workpiece. The laser emits a laser pulse that propagates along a laser beam propagation path terminating at a laser beam spot on the workpiece. A method is effective to operate the laser at an effective PRF lower than the PRF parameter without substantially degrading the desirable pulse properties. The method receives data indicating the location on the workpiece of the target to be selectively irradiated with the laser pulse.

Abstract: A laser-based workpiece processing system includes sensors connected to a sensor controller that converts sensor signals into focused spot motion commands for actuating a beam steering device, such as a two-axis steering mirror. The sensors may include a beam position sensor for correcting errors detected in the optical path, such as thermally-induced beam wandering in response to laser or acousto-optic modulator pointing stability, or optical mount dynamics.

Abstract: A laser processes a workpiece with laser pulses delivered at random time intervals and at substantially constant energy levels by characterizing the laser cavity discharge behavior and utilizing that information for adjusting dummy pulse time periods to compensate for the energy errors. Dummy pulses are laser pulses that are blocked from reaching a workpiece. A second way for providing constant pulse energies employs an AOM for varying amounts of laser energy passed to the workpiece. A third way of providing constant pulse energies entails extending the pulse period of selected pulses to allow additional laser cavity charging time whenever a dummy pulse is initiated.