Method and apparatus for material processing

• US 7,880,114 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2006
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LOMA Linda University Medical Center (Mission Healthcare Services LLC)
• Original Assignee: LOMA Linda University Medical Center (Mission Healthcare Services LLC)
• Inventors: Joseph, Andrew P., Coleman, Paul, Burnham, Tim, Patena, Michael N., Phillips, John S., Huang, Ta-Chieh, Fallara, Paul M., Denney, Paul E., Eastman, Jay R.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELVE, MARIA ALEXANDRA
• Application Number:
  US11/401,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20060278620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,758 Days
• Field of Search: 219/121.6, 219/121.78, 219/121.82, 219/121.83, 219/121.86
• US Class Current: 219/121.6
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/032 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0884 in at least in three axial directions, e.g. manipulators, robots
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/12 in a special atmosphere, e.g. in an enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/123 in an atmosphere of particular gases
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/128 Laser beam path enclosures
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/1464 Supply to, or discharge from, nozzles of media, e.g. gas, powder, wire

Abstract

An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure. The base unit includes an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator. The head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head. The manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing a surface of an inhabitable structure, the apparatus comprising:

a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure, the base unit comprising an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator, the head adapted to remove material from the interaction region, thereby, providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure;

a manipulation system comprising;

an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure, and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head, the manipulation system adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure; and

a controller electrically coupled to the base unit, the controller adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input, wherein the head is releasably coupled to the energy wave generator and releasably coupled to the positioning mechanism, the positioning mechanism is releasably coupled to the anchoring mechanism, and the controller is releasably coupled to the base unit and the manipulation system, whereby the apparatus can be reversibly assembled an disassembled to facilitate transportation of the apparatus to locations in proximity to or within the structure.

2. An apparatus for processing a surface of an inhabitable structure, the apparatus comprising:

a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure, the base unit comprising an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator, the head adapted to remove material from the interaction region, thereby, providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure;

a manipulation system comprising;

an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure, and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head, the manipulation system adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure; and

a controller electrically coupled to the base unit, the controller adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input, wherein the head is coupled to a cooling subsystem adapted to remove heat from the head.

3. An apparatus for processing a surface of an inhabitable structure, the apparatus comprising:

a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure, the base unit comprising an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator, the head adapted to remove material from the interaction region, thereby, providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure;

a manipulation system comprising;

an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure, and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head, the manipulation system adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure; and

a controller electrically coupled to the base unit, the controller adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input, wherein the head comprises a containment plenum adapted to confine material and to remove material from the interaction region and wherein the containment plenum is coupled to a cooling subsystem adapted to remove heat from the containment plenum.