Patent ID: 6686560
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: B23K,F16P

Abstract:
A laser enclosure comprising:an enclosed laser chamber; a load/un-load region; a partition for preventing the passage of laser light from said enclosed laser chamber to said load/un-load region wherein said partition is positioned between said enclosed laser chamber and said load/un-load region, wherein said partition includes a stationary partition and a rotary partition, wherein said stationary partition includes an upper stationary partition edge and a lower stationary partition edge, and wherein said rotary partition includes a central rotary partition axis, at least one pair of opposing workpiece supports, and an upper rotary partition edge and a lower rotary partition edge; a rotary partition drive; an upper partition interface formed between said upper rotary partition edge and said upper stationary partition edge; a lower partition interface formed between said lower rotary partition edge and said lower stationary partition edge; and a light-tight sealing region formed at a selected one of said upper partition interface and said lower partition interface configured to seal said selected partition interface from the passage of laser light, wherein said light-tight sealing region includes a curved stationary passage wall, a curved rotary passage wall, and a space between said curved stationary passage wall and said curved rotary passage wall defining an arcuate passage.