Dry film curing machine with ultraviolet lamp controls
First Claim
1. For use in an ultraviolet light system having an ultraviolet lamp providing ultraviolet radiation from an elongated arc between ends, and having an adjustable voltage power supply, an improved closed loop control sensor comprising:
- a light intensity sensor providing an output signal proportional to light intensity;
a housing for said sensor mounting said sensor adjacent said lamp and having means for providing radiation of a substantially constant length of the arc from the lamp onto the sensor across a desired range of lateral movement of the arc of the lamp transverse to the arc length.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dry film curing machine utilizes ultraviolet lamps mounted in reflectors, which are positioned on opposite sides of a mesh or open type conveyor belt carrying the film to provide radiation for drying. The lamps are controlled by a circuit that regulates the intensity of the ultraviolet lamps to a set level as the lamp ages. The control is effective even though the arc in the lamp may deflect as the lamp warps under temperature differentials. A sensor is mounted in a housing and is positioned adjacent the lamp. The sensor housing eliminates reflected ultraviolet light from striking the sensor, to eliminate erroneous input signals. The sensor provides a signal that is directly proportional to ultraviolet lamp intensity and this signal is used to adjust the power (primarily the current) to the lamp through a microprocessor controlled power source to maintain the UV intensity at the set level. The intensity level can be adjusted, to provide a wide range of intensities to suit the needs for drying the film that is being carried through the machine. Accurate and controllable curing action is thus obtained. In addition, a separate control insures that a provided fan does not overcool the lamps during periods when the intensity of the UV light is set at a low level.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. For use in an ultraviolet light system having an ultraviolet lamp providing ultraviolet radiation from an elongated arc between ends, and having an adjustable voltage power supply, an improved closed loop control sensor comprising:
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a light intensity sensor providing an output signal proportional to light intensity; a housing for said sensor mounting said sensor adjacent said lamp and having means for providing radiation of a substantially constant length of the arc from the lamp onto the sensor across a desired range of lateral movement of the arc of the lamp transverse to the arc length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sensor assembly for sensing light levels from an arc type light having an elongated arc extending in a first direction, said sensor comprising:
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a tubular housing; a light sensor at a first end of said housing; a blocking wall member at a second end of said housing, said blocking wall member having a preselected size slot extending across the tubular housing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and having a width perpendicular to the second direction substantially less than the length of the slot; and means to position housing at a desired location adjacent an arc formed in a lamp to be sensed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. In combination with a dry film curing machine, said curing machine having an open mesh belt movable in a first direction, and having a plurality of modules for treating a film to be dried and moving it along said belt, at least one of said modules comprising an ultraviolet heater assembly including first and second reflectors on opposite side of said belt, said reflectors each having:
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a polished reflector side facing said belt; an ultraviolet light emitting lamp mounted in said reflector and extending transversely to said belt, said ultraviolet lamp having an elongated arc formed therein when in use; a light sensor mounted at a location spaced from an end of the lamp a desired amount, said sensor comprising a tubular member having an axis directed toward said arc, a light sensitive diode at an end of said tubular member opposite from said lamp, and a helical spring mounted on the interior side of said tubular member to prevent reflected light from striking said diode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification