Multi-attribute light effects for use in curing and other applications involving photoreactions and processing

• US 7,642,527 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Corporation (Excelitas Technologies Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Phoseon Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Schreiner, Alex, Marson, Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Wells; Nikita
• Assistant Examiner(s): IPPOLITO, NICOLE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US11/614,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20070154823A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 250/504.R, 250/503.1, 250/493.1, 250/494.1, 250/492.1, 250/495.1, 430/29, 430/5, 430/30, 264/494, 264/455, 264/458, 264/459, 264/480, 264/481, 264/405, 264/479, 264/492, 264/493, 607/1, 257/88, 257/89, 362/22, 362/230, 362/231, 362/234, 362/249.02, 362/253
• US Class Current: 250/492.1
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2429/02 Records or discs
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/2024 of the already developed image
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/26 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of record carriers

Abstract

Systems and methods that provide multi-attribute light effects, including one or more channels for each light effect, preferably both channels being provided in an array of solid state light emitters.

Claims

1. A system for performing curing of target object, comprising:

a light source comprising an array of solid state light devices configured for providing onto the target object a (i) first channel of light output comprising a substantially continuous pulse of light emission, and (ii) a second channel of light output comprising a pulsed light emission, both channels being within a wavelength range sufficient to caused desired curing in the target object, and wherein the second channel pulsed emission of light at a peak irradiance is in the range of about 2 to about 100 times greater than that of the irradiance of the continuous emission and both channels operate simultaneously; and

the target object having at least two zones, each zone being curable by a different level of radiant output.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the light source is enabled for a pulsed emission duty cycle of from about 1% to about 25% at about 0.02 Hz to about 40,000 Hz.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the light source is enabled for a pulsed emission duty cycle of from about 1% to about 10% at about 0.02 Hz to about 40,000 Hz.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a laminar flow device for introducing laminar flow across a surface of the curable material of the target object that is exposed to the light emission from the light source.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a source of an inerting agent deliverable over the surface area by a laminar flow.

6. A method comprising:

providing a laminar flow of a fluid over at least one surface zone of a target object;

exposing the target object to a light that fosters a reaction in association with the at least one surface zone of the target object such that the fluid affects the reaction; and

wherein the light comprises light from a solid state light source, the light source outputting to the target object a light profile comprising a continuous mode of output and a super-imposed pulsed mode.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the output is provided by groups of emitters comprising a first group of one or more emitters dedicated to the continuous output and a second group of emitters dedicated to providing the pulsed output.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the output is provided by a group of emitters dedicated to providing both the continuous and pulsed outputs.

9. A product comprising a photo-reacted target object, the target object being formed by a method comprising:

providing a laminar flow of a fluid over at least one surface zone of a target object;

exposing the target object to a light that fosters a reaction in association with at least one surface zone of the target object such that the fluid affects the reaction; and

wherein the light comprises light from a solid state light source, the light source outputting to the target object a light profile comprising a continuous mode of output and a super-imposed pulsed mode.