IP Library Granted Patent US 10,081,078
Granted Patent B2
US 10,081,078 · App. 15/433,468 · Granted Sep 25, 2018

System and method for coating removal using radiation

Inventors: Donald E. Sprentall (South Lyon, MI); Keith A. Jefferies (New Hudson, MI)
Assignee: SurClean, Inc.
B23K26/0626B23K26/032B23K26/362
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,081,078
App. No.
15/433,468
Granted
Sep 25, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A first source of radiation generates a first radiation to remove a coating from a component. An amount of the first radiation generated by the first source of radiation depends on an amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation. A controller receives feedback regarding removal of the coating from the component by the first radiation and regarding the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation, and adjusts the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback. A second source of radiation generates a second radiation capable of detecting whether the coating is encountered again. The controller restarts the first source of radiation to generate the first radiation in response to the coating being detected by the second radiation, and sets the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback.

Claims (30)

1. A system comprising:

a first source of radiation configured to generate a first radiation to remove a coating of variable thickness from a component, wherein an amount of the first radiation generated by the first source of radiation depends on an amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation; and

a controller configured to:

receive feedback regarding removal of the coating from the component by the first radiation and regarding the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation to remove the coating from the component; and

adjust the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation according to a thickness of the coating based on the feedback.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to set, based on the feedback, the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation to a first value to remove the coating and to a second value that is less than the first value after the coating is removed.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the coating includes one or more layers; and

the controller is further configured to adjust the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback to remove a selected layer from the one or more layers from the coating.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor to sense a surface of the component and to provide the feedback based on the sensing of the surface regarding removal of the coating from the component by the first radiation.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to stop the first source of radiation in response to the feedback indicating that the coating has been removed, the system further comprising:

a second source of radiation configured to generate a second radiation capable of detecting whether the coating is encountered again.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the controller is further configured to:

restart the first source of radiation to generate the first radiation in response to the coating being detected by the second radiation; and

set the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback.

7. A method for removing a coating from a component, the method comprising:

generating a first radiation from a first source of radiation to remove a coating of variable thickness from the component, an amount of the first radiation generated being dependent on an amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation;

receiving feedback regarding removal of the coating from the component by the first radiation and regarding the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation to remove the coating from the component; and

adjusting the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation according to a thickness of the coating based on the feedback.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising setting, based on the feedback, the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation to a first value to remove the coating and to a second value that is less than the first value after the coating is removed.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the coating includes one or more layers, the method further comprising adjusting the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback to remove a selected layer from the one or more layers from the coating.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

sensing a surface of the component; and

providing, based on the sensing of the surface, the feedback regarding removal of the coating from the component by the first radiation.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

stopping the first source of radiation in response to the feedback indicating that the coating has been removed; and

generating, from a second source of radiation, a second radiation capable of detecting whether the coating is encountered again.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

restarting the first source of radiation to generate the first radiation in response to the coating being detected by the second radiation; and

setting the amount of power supplied to the first source of radiation based on the feedback.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2018
From: SURCLEAN, INC.
To: HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, PLC
Reel/Frame 047279/0193 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2017
From: SPRENTALL, DONALD E.
To: SURCLEAN, INC.
Reel/Frame 041263/0914 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14352831
Provisional Application 61549818 · Oct 21, 2011
Related Publication 20170157708A1 · Jun 8, 2017