Patent ID: 8320424
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. Light beam path directing assembly including a gas diffuser configured to prevent accumulation of contaminants on a light beam-receiving surface of an optical component included as part of the assembly, comprising: an optical component mount having an interior region within which a light beam can propagate along a light beam path; an optical component having a light beam-receiving surface positioned within the interior region to intersect the light beam path so that the light beam propagating within the interior region is incident on the light beam-receiving surface; and a gas diffuser and fluid flow delivery components cooperating in fluid communication with the optical component mount to deliver within the interior region a diffuse stream of particle-filtered gas localized at and flowing across the light beam-receiving surface, the diffuser configured to distribute the localized stream of particle-filtered gas at a sufficient flow rate to prevent formation of stagnation zones and consequent accumulation of contaminants on the light beam-receiving surface while not appreciably disturbing the stability of the light beam propagating within the interior region.