Hughes Aircraft Company

Flora Yeung

Stanley S Chang

Meryl R Jackson

A method and system for removing organic deposits from the surface of sand particles. The organic deposits include molding compound and carbonaceous materials which are deposited on sand particles during their use in foundry operations. The organic deposits are exposed to a laser beam having a wavelength which is selectively absorbed by at least a portion of the organic deposits, while being essentially transmitted by the sand particles. The organic deposits are selectively heated by the laser beam resulting in vaporization and/or decomposition of the deposits without significant heating of the underlying sand particles.

Method for removing organic deposits from sand particles with laser beam

A method of fabricating a polarizing dish antenna reflector (10) wherein a light source (22) is employed to pyrolyze an organometallic compound (14) disposed on the antenna surface to form grid elements (24) directly thereon. The surface of the parabolic dish antenna reflector (10) is coated with an organometallic compound (14) that comprises a metallic component such as gold, silver, copper chrome, or other suitable metal. The coated surface may be conditioned by depositing a surface film of polyimide, or the like. The coated surface is then pyrolyzed by using a high intensity focussed light source (22), such as a laser or discharge lamp to form metal grid lines (24) on the surface. The light source (22) is scanned across the surface to create parallel scan lines, or the light source may be fixed and the reflector surface can be moved relative to the light source (22) using a computer controlled XY table (16), or the like. The focussed light pyrolyzes the organometallic compound (14) and volatilizes the organic portion thereof, leaving metal traces disposed on the reflector surface. Once all the grid lines are formed, the reflector (10) is rinsed in appropriate solvents to remove excess organometallic compound.

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Agoura Hills, CA, United States of America

Flora Yeung