Patent ID: 6309216
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
A curing system for a photohardenable material comprising:an electrically powered light source,a variable power output power supply electrically connected to said light source,means for determining a power output of said light source and for producing a power output signal representative thereof,means for controlling illumination of said light source by said power supply per system activation, said control means comprising:means for comparing said power output signal with a target value and for varying the power output up to a maximum power amount from said power supply to said light source whenever said power output signal varies from said target value,means for illuminating said light source from said power supply for a time period sufficient to obtain a substantially constant energy output from said light source,means for activating said power supply for a preset time period whenever the power supply power output is less than said maximum power amount so that the energy output from said light source per activation of said power supply is substantially constant, anda time adjustment means operable when said power supply output is substantially at said maximum power amount and when said power output signal is less than said target value for increasing the duration of activation said power supply longer than said preset time period by an amount sufficient to obtain a substantially constant energy output from said light source per activation of the curing system.