High removal rate laser-based coating removal system

Patent · 15 November 1999

OSTI ID:872675

Matthews, Dennis L ^[1]; Celliers, Peter M ^[2]; Hackel, Lloyd ^[3]; Da Silva, Luiz B ^[4]; Dane, C Brent ^[3]; Mrowka, Stanley ^[5]

---

1. Moss Beach, CA
2. Berkeley, CA
3. Livermore, CA
4. Danville, CA
5. Richmond, CA

A compact laser system that removes surface coatings (such as paint, dirt, etc.) at a removal rate as high as 1000 ft.sup.2 /hr or more without damaging the surface. A high repetition rate laser with multiple amplification passes propagating through at least one optical amplifier is used, along with a delivery system consisting of a telescoping and articulating tube which also contains an evacuation system for simultaneously sweeping up the debris produced in the process. The amplified beam can be converted to an output beam by passively switching the polarization of at least one amplified beam. The system also has a personal safety system which protects against accidental exposures.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5986234
• Application Number: 08/829519
• OSTI ID: 872675
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/219/
1000
accidental
amplification
amplified
amplifier
articulating
beam
coating
coatings
compact
consisting
contains
converted
damaging
debris
delivery
dirt
etc
evacuation
exposures
laser
laser-based
multiple
optical
optical amplifier
output
output beam
paint
passes
passively
personal
polarization
process
produced
propagating
protects
rate
rate laser
removal
removal rate
removes
repetition
repetition rate
safety
simultaneously
surface
surface coating
surface coatings
sweeping
switching
telescoping
tube