US4994639A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of manufacture and surface treatment using laser radiation
Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
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Filing: 1990-01-11
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Granted: 1991-02-19
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Expires: 2010-01-11
Abstract
Abstract An excimer laser is used to ablate the surface of an article to provide it with a drag-reduction pattern (e.g. a series of riblets). The article may be a painted article and the drag reduction pattern may be formed in the paint layer. A method is also disclosed in which paint is removed from a painted article using an excimer laser, as a prepatory step for repainting the article.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter H. Dickinson
- 👤 Geoffrey M. Proudley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:11
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C21/00; B64C21/10; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/064; B23K26/066; B23K26/36; B23K26/40; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/34; B23K2101/35; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/30; B23K2103/42; B23K2103/50; B23K2103/52; B64C2230/00; B64C2230/26; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of treating a surface to reduce the drag associated therewith, the surface including at least a layer of polymer material, said method comprising irradiating said surface with laser radiation in the ultraviolet waveband to provide a drag-reduction pattern therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of treating a surface to reduce the drag associated therewith, the surface including at least a layer of polymer material, said method comprising irradiating said surface with laser radiation in the ultraviolet waveband to provide a drag-reduction pattern therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said pattern comprises a series of elongate grooves which defines a series of elongate riblets on said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein each of said grooves includes two side walls which converge toward the base of the groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein each of said grooves is of generally V-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of irradiating the surface includes passing laser radiation through imaging means, for example mask means, which defines at least part of said pattern.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of treating an article having a polymeric surfacial layer, which method comprises irradiating said surfacial layer with laser radiation in the ultra-violet waveband to remove at least part of said layer and thereafter applying a further layer to said article.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of treating an article having a polymeric surfacial layer, which method comprises irradiating said surfacial layer with laser radiation in the ultra-violet waveband to remove at least part of said layer and thereafter applying a further layer to said article.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said further layer is a coating for example of paint or other polymer material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of preparing a painted article to receive a further layer of paint which method comprises irradiating said article with laser radiation in the ultraviolet waveband to remove at least some of the paint therefrom.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of preparing a painted article to receive a further layer of paint which method comprises irradiating said article with laser radiation in the ultraviolet waveband to remove at least some of the paint therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
8 words
A surface treated in accordance with claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
8 words
An article treated in accordance with claim 6.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
9 words
A painted article prepared in accordance with claim 8.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1078000A
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GB1321743A
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GB1400860A
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GB1441745A
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GB1545933A
Cited
GB2007561A
Cited
US4500771A
Cited
US4414059A
Cited
US4588885A
Cited
US4874920A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |