Patent ID: 9728375
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: B05B,F16K,H01J

Claim:
1. A method of providing a first gas to a surface of a work piece in a system that uses a beam to process the work piece in the presence of the first gas, the system including a first gas source for providing the first gas, a beam source for providing the beam, and a needle for injecting the first gas from the first gas source to the work piece, the method comprising: causing the first gas to flow along a first path from the first gas source to a valve; establishing a first desired flow rate for the first gas by adjusting the flow rate of the first gas while the valve is configured to divert the first gas to a second path that does not lead to the needle; after the first desired flow rate is established, directing the first gas to the needle to provide the first gas to the surface of the work piece at the first desired flow rate; and in which directing the first gas to the needle includes extending the needle to open a gas flow path to the needle and to close a gas flow path that does not lead to the needle.