The invention relates to methods for removing dirt deposits on at least one geometric structure of at least one body, said geometric structure being produced by means of microtechnology and/or nanotechnology, wherein the dirt deposits are dirt deposits resulting from an ablation or evaporation of material during creation of the geometric structure; and uses of an ultra-short pulsed laser with pulses in burst mode.

The methods for removing dirt deposits and the uses of an ultra-short pulsed laser with pulses in the burst mode are characterized more particularly in that the resulting dirt deposits are easy to remove. Ultra-short pulsed laser irradiation is applied from a laser onto the geometric structure with pulses in the burst mode to remove the dirt deposits.

A processing apparatus has: a light irradiation apparatus that irradiates a surface of an object with a processing light; and a partition member that surrounds a space including an optical path between the surface of the object and an optical member that is disposed at the most object side in an optical system of the light irradiation apparatus that allows the processing light to pass therethrough.

Laser ablation devices that utilize beam profiling assemblies to clean and process surfaces are described herein. A method includes directing a laser beam in a geometrical pattern at an arcuate surface of a cylindrical target, blocking a portion of the laser beam to prevent a portion of the geometrical pattern from contacting the cylindrical target, and rotating the cylindrical target as the laser beam contacts the arcuate surface so as to ablate the cylindrical target.

A laser tool apparatus includes a tool body; a fiber optic cable disposed in the tool body, the fiber optic cable including a laser head that emits a laser beam; a reshape optic disposed coaxially downstream of the fiber optic, the reshape optic reshaping the laser beam emitted from the laser head; and a flexible cable attached to the reshape optic. The flexible cable flexibly orients the laser beam at a desired angle within a borehole.

A cleaning system for a vehicle includes a beam optics assembly that emits a laser beam to irradiate a region on a glass article of the vehicle, debris detection circuitry that detects debris accumulated over the region, and control circuitry. The control circuitry calibrates a set of parameters associated with the laser beam emitted from the beam optics assembly based on detection of the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article, controls an exposure level of the laser beam on the debris accumulated based on calibration of the set of parameters associated with the laser beam, wherein the exposure level is controlled based on pulsing the laser beam at a calibrated rate that limits penetration of the laser beam to a depth that is less than a thickness of the glass article, and removes the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article using the laser beam.

A laser cleaning method and device for improving uniformity of a laser cleaning surface are provided. The laser cleaning method includes: applying a peaked-top sine wave signal to a motor; controlling a galvanometer to swing in a reciprocated manner by the motor; shaping a laser beam emitted by a laser to a linear beam by the reciprocated swing of the galvanometer; and performing laser cleaning using the shaped linear beam.

A method for inspecting a nozzle includes: measuring a temperature of the nozzle; comparing the temperature of the nozzle with a reference temperature; and determining whether or not the nozzle is clogged based on the temperature of the nozzle.

The invention relates to an automated cleaning system for cleaning an object, comprising a laser configured to be directed at the object, to remove contaminants from the object, detection apparatus to identify a position of the object, movement apparatus to move the object into and/or out of a cleaning position, and control apparatus to direct the laser at the object in the cleaning position, and operate the laser to clean the object.

In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an automated laser system to remove a portion of a coating for nutplate installation. An automated laser system comprises a laser scanner and a laser head, wherein the laser head is coupled to the laser scanner. The laser head comprises a containment unit and a vacuum connector wherein the vacuum connector is disposed on a first side of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises a camera system, a light source, a first actuator, and a second actuator all disposed on a top surface of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises an end piece, wherein the second actuator is configured to displace the end piece.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning a substrate, such as a fabric material, involving the application of optical energy to the substrate, typically in the form of a beam of light, where the energy of the beam causes removal of the contaminant from substrate, such as from the fibres of a fabric material. The cleaning may occur via any mechanism, including one or more of, alone or in any combination, ablation, melting, heating or reaction with the substrate or contaminant or agent introduced to aid in the cleaning. The optical energy is typically applied to a selected area of the substrate (e.g., as a beam), and the substrate and beam or optical energy source moved relative to one another so as to clean a larger area of the substrate, either by moving the substrate or the beam, or both. Movement of the beam with respect to the substrate can be attained through a beam scanning mechanism or through movement of the optical source itself.