Electron-beam system

• US 5,981,963 A
• Filed: 11/17/1997
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bush Industries Incorporated (eSolutions Furniture Group)
• Original Assignee: Bush Industries Incorporated (eSolutions Furniture Group)
• Inventors: Kampmeier, Franz
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Bruce C.
• Application Number:
  US08/952,102
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 250/492.3, 250/453.11, 250/454.11, 250/515.1, 250/517.1
• US Class Current: 250/492.3
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0877 using electron radiation, e.g. beta-rays
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/10 for articles of indefinite length
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0089 Sealing devices placed between articles and treatment installations during moulding or shaping, e.g. sealing off the entrance or exit of ovens or irradiation rooms, connections between rooms at different pressures
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 5/04 with beam-forming means
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 5/10 with provision for relative movement of beam source and object to be irradiated
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2237/026 Shields
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2237/316 Changing physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 37/317 for changing properties of the objects or for applying thin layers thereon, e.g. for ion implantation H01J37/36 takes precedence

Abstract

An electron-beam system for curing plastic layers on workpieces has an irradiation chamber, an electron gun, a transport device for conveying workpieces into the irradiation chamber, and a shield as radiation protection. In order to achieve a high throughput of workpieces and effective shielding, provision is made of two or more blocking devices, which can be moved with reference to the transport device and which are arranged in each case as radiation protection on the transport device upstream and downstream of the irradiation chamber, specifically at a spacing in the conveying direction of the transport device in such a way that at least one workpiece fits between two blocking devices.

Claims

1. An electron-beam system for curing plastic layers on workpieces, the electron-beam system comprising:

an irradiation chamber,

an electron gun for generating at least one electron beam in the irradiation chamber,

a transport device having a feed section, a processing section and a discharge section for conveying workpieces along a conveying path into, through and out respectively of the irradiation chamber, and

a radiation barrier extending alone the feed section and the discharge section, wherein the barrier includes two or more movable blocking devices on each of the feed section and the discharge section and wherein the blocking devices are spaced along the conveying path of the transport device such that a set of one or more workpieces fits between a pair of blocking devices on the feed section and the same set of one or more workpieces fits between a pair of blocking devices on the discharge section, and

wherein each blocking device is movable between a closed position which obstructs the conveying path and blocks radiation from the irradiation chamber and an open position which permits passage of a workpiece along the conveying path.

2. The electron-beam system according to claim 1, wherein more than two blocking devices are arranged along the conveying path of the transport device upstream of the irradiation chamber.

3. The electron-beam system according to claim 1, wherein more than two blocking devices are arranged along the conveying path of the transport device downstream of the irradiation chamber.

4. The electron-beam system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation barrier includes two or more shields which cover the transport device upstream and downstream of the irradiation chamber, and wherein the spacing between each shield and the transport device is adjustable.

5. The electron-beam system according to claim 1, wherein by means of a framework supporting it, the electron gun can be displaced transversely to the conveying path of the transport device out of the irradiation chamber and into a position in which it is accessible for maintenance and repair work.

6. The electron-beam system according to claim 1, wherein the feed section and discharge section are comprised of horizontal transport tracks for the workpieces upstream of and downstream respectively of the irradiation chamber.

7. The electron-beam system according to claim 1, wherein at least one blocking device is comprised of a pivotable flap extending across the width of the conveying path.

8. The electron-beam system according to claim 1, wherein at least one blocking device is comprised of a plate extending across the width of the conveying path and is movable in a direction transverse to the conveying path.

9. The electron-beam system according to claim 1, wherein at least one blocking device is comprised of a rotatable stop cock extending across the width of the conveying path.