Patent Publication Number: US-2016237180-A1

Title: Reactor for inline processing

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to, and hereby incorporates by reference, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/105,086, filed 19 Jan. 2015. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In manufacturing processes, products, such as photopolymers (e.g., acrylics), are desired to be cured by exposure to radiation (e.g. UV light). There is a need to provide devices, systems and methods to provide radiation exposure for curing products in an in-line manner. 
     SUMMARY 
     A reactor for in-line processing includes a housing coupled to a geometrically reflective structure. A plurality of radiation sources, such as LED lights, as disposed in the housing and arranged such that they project their radiation into the geometrically reflective structure. A material to be cured is to be exposed to radiation as it passes though the geometrically reflective structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a reactor for in-line processing according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of a reactor for in-line processing according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a further perspective view of a reactor for in-line processing according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is an additional perspective view of a reactor for in-line processing according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a further additional perspective view of a reactor for in-line processing according to certain embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Depicted in the Figures is a reactor for in-line processing  01 , which includes a housing  02 , geometrically reflective structure  03 , and a material  04  to be cured such as a photopolymer (e.g., acrylic), which is to be exposed to radiation. 
     The housing includes connections for power such as electricity  05 , and coolant ingress  06  and egress  07 . The electrical connection may conduct electrical current to power the light source and may also include conductive materials, e.g., fiber optic, to transmit digital information to a processing unit, if a processing unit is present. 
     The housing has at least one, or as shown, a plurality of light (electromagnetic) sources  11 , such as LEDs, optionally emitting UV light. However, wavelengths of the emitted radiation will be determined by the properties of the material to be cured. Optionally, slots  08 ,  09  may be present in the housing for mounting to rails or other devices downstream from where the material to be cured is being formed. 
     The reflective structure, as depicted, is generally cylindrical in configuration with an interior surface  10  suitable for reflecting light to a satisfactory even quantity upon the substrate to be cured. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily realize that other geometric shapes may be suitable, depending upon the intensity of radiation emitted and the geometry of the material to be cured, which is the cylinder or rod in the figures. 
     One suitable material for the reflective structure is aluminum polished to reflect light. However, any material having reflective characteristics can be used for this purpose. 
     Optionally, the material to be cured is passed through an opening  14  present in a closed end  13  of the reflective structure, the opening having a close tolerance to the outer periphery of the material to be cured to minimize escape of the emitted light and premature curing. 
     The material to be cured may optionally be rotated as it is conveyed in the direction indicated by arrow  12  through the reflective structure. 
     While shown as being horizontal, the embodiment may actually be deployed vertically, such as below or downstream from an extruder forming the material to be cured. 
     A listing of the elements appearing in the figures is as follows:
           01 . Reactor for in-line processing     02 . Housing     03 . Reflective cylinder     04 . Material to be cured     05 . Electrical connections     06 . Coolant ingress     07 . Coolant egress     08 . Rail slot     09 . Rail slot     10 . Reflective surface     11 . Light source     12 . Direction of travel     13 . Closed end     14 . Opening