Methods and systems relating to light sources for use in industrial processes

• US 9,281,001 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Excelitas Technologies Corporation (Excelitas Technologies Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Phoseon Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Anderson, Duwayne R., Jasmin, Roland, Owen, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOYER, CHARLES I
• Application Number:
  US11/813,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20090233003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,721 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/26 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

System and methods are disclosed in connection with a reaction at or below the surface of a work object, in the context of a fluid flow fostering the reaction. In some example embodiments, the reaction is fostered by (1) creating fluid flow of an inerting fluid over a surface during exposure of the surface to a predetermined type of light, (2) creating fluid flow comprising a reactive species that reacts with another species at or below the work surface in a predetermined manner and/or (3) creating a fluid flow comprising a catalytic species that catalyzes a reaction in a predetermined manner, e.g., during exposure of the surface to a predetermined type of light. In some example embodiments, a light source is employed that comprises a solid-state light source, e.g., a dense array of solid-state light sources. In at least one of such example embodiments, the reaction is a photoreaction associated with the light source.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

vertically delivering a desired laminar flow of a fluid comprising an inert species via a vertically oriented nozzle over at least one surface of a moving work piece, wherein the moving work piece moves in a non-uniform irregular pattern relative to an array of solid-state light sources through curing machinery, and wherein the desired laminar flow is based on a Reynolds Number; and

using the array of solid-state light sources to expose the moving work piece to ultraviolet light that fosters a photoreaction in association with the at least one surface of the moving work piece,

wherein the photoreaction is for at least one of setting and curing an ink formation, wherein the moving work piece comprises print media printed via print heads.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laminar flow of the fluid is disposed between the array of solid-state light sources and the moving work piece, and wherein the photoreaction would not proceed substantially towards completion, being inhibited by a substantially aerobic environment, but for the laminar flow of the fluid.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the inert species comprises one of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and helium.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid further comprises a reactive species.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid further comprises a catalytic species.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a combination of one or more species, such species in the combination taken from one or more of inert species, reactive species and catalytic species.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the array of solid-state light sources comprises a dense array of solid-state light sources, wherein the dense array of solid-state light sources output ultraviolet radiation at a power density of at least 50 mW/cm².

8. A device, comprising:

a vertically oriented nozzle vertically delivering a desired laminar flow of a fluid comprising an inert species over at least one surface of a moving work piece, wherein the moving work piece moves in an irregular pattern relative to an array of solid-state light sources through curing machinery, and wherein the desired laminar flow is based on a Reynolds Number; and

the array of solid-state light sources that exposes the moving work piece to ultraviolet light that fosters a photoreaction in association with the at least one surface of the moving work piece,

wherein the photoreaction is for at least one of setting and curing an ink formation, wherein the moving work piece comprises print media printed via print heads.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the laminar flow of the fluid is disposed between the array of solid-state light sources and the moving work piece, and wherein the photoreaction would not proceed substantially towards completion, being inhibited by a substantially aerobic environment, but for the laminar flow of the fluid.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the inert species comprises one of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and helium.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the fluid further comprises a reactive species.

12. The device according to claim 8, wherein the fluid further comprises a catalytic species.

13. The device according to claim 8, wherein the fluid comprises a combination of one or more species, such species in the combination taken from one or more of inert species, reactive species and catalytic species.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the array of solid-state light sources comprises a dense array of solid-state light sources.

15. The device according to claim 8, wherein the array of solid-state light sources comprises a solid-state light source that emits UV light that comprises one or more wavelengths, or one or more bands of wavelengths, of between about 250 nm and 450 nm, and wherein the laminar fluid flow is disposed between the light source and the moving work piece.

16. A method comprising:

vertically delivering a desired laminar fluid flow of a fluid comprising an inert species via a vertically oriented nozzle over at least one surface of a moving work piece, the moving work piece comprising print media printed via print heads, wherein the moving work piece moves in an irregular pattern in a non-uniform manner relative to an array of solid-state light sources through curing machinery, wherein the desired laminar flow is based on a Reynolds Number, wherein the laminar flow of the fluid is disposed between the array of solid-state light sources and the moving work piece, and wherein a photoreaction would not proceed substantially towards completion, being inhibited by a substantially aerobic environment, but for the laminar flow of the fluid; and

using the array of solid-state light sources to expose the moving work piece to ultraviolet light that fosters the photoreaction in association with the at least one surface of the moving work piece.