This invention relates generally to ultraviolet-light curing apparatus and, in particular, to a system separates the source of ultraviolet radiation and the controller, allowing an operator to stand at a relatively great distance away from the ultraviolet radiation when applied.
UV-cured paints, overcoats and other polymers are becoming increasingly popular, since drying time can be reduced to a matter of seconds. Accordingly, in many applications, particularly where time is of the essence, UV-curable paints and other coatings now compete with air-dried formulations. One such time-sensitive application is automobile body and restoration.
A distinct problem with UV-curable materials is safety, since the strong ultraviolet radiation used in the curing process can be damaging to the retina, skin, or other body parts. This safety issue is apparent in prior-art auto-body curing systems, such as the unit shown in
This invention improves upon existing systems by decoupling the source of ultraviolet radiation and the controller in two separate units, thereby allowing an operator to stand at a relatively great distance away from the ultraviolet radiation when applied.
The apparatus includes a base unit and a source of intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation coupled to the base unit by way of a pivoting arm. A controller, disposed remotely from the base unit, allows an operator to activate the source of UV radiation at a distance of at least several feet away from the source. The preferred embodiment allows an operator to control the UV radiation at a distance of 10 to 100 feet or more using a wired or wireless interconnection between the controller and the base unit. A detachable infrared lamp may be optionally disposed along side the UV source.
Referring now to
The distal end of the arm 210 is attached to another pivot 216 allowing multiple degrees of freedom of lamp housing 224 coupled to the pivot 216 through a U-shaped bracket 220. Multiple ultraviolet lamps 230 contained in the housing 224, are controlled by way of a cable 232 which attaches to the base unit.
In contrast to existing equipment, a remote controller 240 is provided, having switches 242 associated with the cook control of the UV lamps. The controller 240 is connected to the base unit through a cable 250 in this case, allowing an operator to stand a relatively great distance away from the lamps in housing 224, thereby affording greater protection than if the operator were close to the surface being cured. In the preferred embodiment, the cable 250 is greater than 20 feet, and may be as long as 100 feet or more, allowing the operator to even walk into a different room once the equipment is set up.
Switch 430 is used to turn main power on and off, where switch 432 is used to turn UV lamp power on and off, assuming the unit is in the local mode using switch 436. The other position of switch 436 is remote, which, in this position, only the remote unit can be used to activate the ultraviolet lamps.
Switch 434 is used to switch between lamp intensity 200 watts to 300 watts, and switch 438 is used to activate a time mode, if desired. Item 420 is a cycle timer, and item 422 is an elapsed time meter.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/432,184, filed May 11, 2006, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/679,868, filed May 11, 2005, the entire content of both of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20130277577 A1 | Oct 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60679868 | May 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11432184 | May 2006 | US |
Child | 13920924 | US |