Light tight enclosure assembly and method of providing a light tight work chamber

Abstract

An enclosure assembly includes a housing and a platform disposed within the housing. The platform is rotatably moveable about a vertical axis. A partition is attached to and moveable with the platform, and includes a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The first lateral edge and the second lateral edge of the partition are spaced from an exterior wall of the housing to define a gap therebetween. A sealing mechanism is moveable between a sealing position and an open position. The sealing mechanism is moveable into the sealing position to seal the gap between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge and prevent light from passing through the gap. The sealing mechanism is moveable into the open position to vacate the gap and allow rotational movement of the platform and the partition about the vertical axis relative to the exterior wall of the housing.

1 . An enclosure assembly for providing a light tight work chamber, the enclosure assembly comprising:
 a housing having an exterior wall extending vertically between a lower edge and an upper edge, and defining an interior, wherein the housing defines a first opening disposed on a light-protected side of the housing and a second opening disposed on a light-exposed side of the housing;   a platform at least partially disposed within the interior of the housing and rotatably moveable about a vertical axis, wherein the platform includes a peripheral edge defining a semi-circular shape perpendicular to the vertical axis and having a radius centered at the vertical axis;   a partition attached to and moveable with the platform, and extending vertically from the platform, wherein the partition includes a first lateral edge disposed at a first location on the peripheral edge of the platform, and extends across the platform to a second lateral edge disposed at a second location on the peripheral edge of the platform;   wherein the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are spaced from the exterior wall of the housing to define a gap therebetween; and   a sealing mechanism coupled to one of the partition or the exterior wall and moveable between a sealing position and an open position;   wherein the sealing mechanism is moveable into the sealing position when the platform is stationary to seal the gap between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge to prevent light from passing through the gap from the light-exposed side of the housing to the light-protected side of the housing; and   wherein the sealing mechanism is moveable into the open position to vacate the gap and allow rotational movement of the platform and the partition about the vertical axis relative to the exterior wall of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the sealing mechanism includes an inflatable device. 
     
     
         3 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the inflatable device includes an elongated bladder extending vertically along the gap. 
     
     
         4 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the inflatable device includes a first bladder disposed adjacent the first lateral edge, and a second bladder disposed adjacent the second lateral edge. 
     
     
         5 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the inflatable device includes a gas control system configured for supplying a gas to the inflatable device to inflate the inflatable device and move the inflatable device into the sealing position, and wherein the gas control system is configured to release gas from the inflatable device to deflate the inflatable device and move the inflatable device into the open position. 
     
     
         6 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an upper shield attached to and moveable with the partition and substantially parallel with and spaced from the platform along the vertical axis, wherein the upper shield is spaced from the exterior wall to define a peripheral gap therebetween to allow relative rotational movement between the upper shield and the exterior wall. 
     
     
         7 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 6  further comprising an upper seal coupled to one of the upper shield or the exterior wall and configured for sealing the peripheral gap while allowing relative rotational movement between the upper shield and the exterior wall. 
     
     
         8 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an outer structure attached to the housing and enclosing the light-exposed side of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a circular shape perpendicular to the vertical axis. 
     
     
         10 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a drive assembly coupled to the platform and configured for rotating the platform about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         11 . An enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the drive assembly is disposed vertically below the platform. 
     
     
         12 . A light tight enclosure assembly comprising:
 a housing having an exterior wall extending vertically between a lower edge and an upper edge, and defining an interior, wherein the housing defines a first opening disposed on a light-protected side of the housing and a second opening disposed on a light-exposed side of the housing;   an outer structure attached to the housing and enclosing the light-exposed side of the housing;   a platform at least partially disposed within the interior of the housing and rotatably moveable about a vertical axis, wherein the platform includes a peripheral edge defining a semi-circular shape perpendicular to the vertical axis and having a radius centered at the vertical axis;   a partition attached to and moveable with the platform, and extending vertically from the platform, wherein the partition includes a first lateral edge disposed at a first location on the peripheral edge of the platform, and extends across the platform to a second lateral edge disposed at a second location on the peripheral edge of the platform;   wherein the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are spaced from the exterior wall of the housing to define a gap therebetween; and   an inflatable device coupled to one of the partition or the exterior wall and moveable between a sealing position and an open position;   a gas control system configured for supplying a gas to the inflatable device to inflate the inflatable device and move the inflatable device into the sealing position, and wherein the gas control system is configured to release gas from the inflatable device to deflate the inflatable device and move the inflatable device into the open position;   wherein the inflatable device is moveable into the sealing position when the platform is stationary to seal the gap between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge to prevent light from passing through the gap from the light-exposed side of the housing to the light-protected side of the housing; and   wherein the inflatable device is moveable into the open position to vacate the gap and allow rotational movement of the platform and the partition about the vertical axis relative to the exterior wall of the housing.   
     
     
         13 . A light tight enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the inflatable device includes a first bladder disposed adjacent the first lateral edge, and a second bladder disposed adjacent the second lateral edge. 
     
     
         14 . A light tight enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 12  further comprising a drive assembly coupled to the platform and configured for rotating the platform about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         15 . A light tight enclosure assembly as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the drive assembly is disposed vertically below the platform. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a light tight work chamber, the method comprising:
 rotating a platform having a partition extending vertically therefrom about a vertical axis into a first work position such that a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of the partition are each disposed adjacent an exterior wall of a housing to define a gap therebetween; and   moving a sealing mechanism into a sealing position to cover the gap and prevent light from passing through the gap from a light-exposed side of the housing to a light-protected side of the housing.   
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein moving the sealing mechanism into the sealing position is further defined as inflating an inflatable device to expand into and cover the gap. 
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  further comprising moving the sealing mechanism into an open position vacating the gap to allow rotational movement of the platform and the partition relative to the exterior wall of the housing. 
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein moving the sealing mechanism into the open position is further defined as deflating the inflatable device to withdraw from the gap. 
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19  further comprising:
 rotating the platform about the vertical axis to a second work position; and 
 re-moving the sealing mechanism into the sealing position to cover the gap and prevent light from passing through the gap from the light-exposed side of the housing to the light-protected side of the housing.