A replaceable heat exchange module for the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage

Abstract

The present invention provides a replaceable heat exchange module for the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage, comprising: an amplifier stage liquid cooling plate; and a fiber entry point heat exchange module comprising a water-cooled cover having a cavity and a water-cooled block having a cavity. The water-cooled block is detachably connected to the upper surface of the amplifier stage liquid cooling plate, the water-cooled block being provided with a fiber optic groove, and the water-cooled cover is detachably connected to the surface of the water-cooled block provided with the fiber optic groove. The water-cooled cover and the water-cooled block are both in communication with cooling water. The present invention provides a replaceable heat exchange module for the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage, providing excellent heat dissipation and easy disassembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water cooling and heat dissipation of high-power fiber lasers, and in particular to a replaceable heat exchange module at a fiber entry point of an amplifier stage of a high-power fiber laser. Background Art

[0002] High-power fiber lasers are a relatively new type of laser developed in recent years. They offer advantages such as high conversion efficiency and excellent beam quality, and are widely used in industrial processing, scientific research, and the military. Currently, single-mode all-fiber lasers with powers of 3 kW and above often utilize a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) structure with a seed source and a first-stage amplification. The amplifier stage often employs a double-ended pumping structure. This approach reduces heat dissipation and allows for further reverse injection of cascaded pump laser power, increasing the total amplified output power.

[0003] The amplifier stage liquid cooling plate is equipped with a fiber trough directly on the cooling plate. The section of the trough used to house the fiber splice is called the amplifier stage fiber entry point. The protective covering of the optical fibers at the splice point must be removed, making this area subject to the greatest heat dissipation pressure. As output power increases, the splice point often burns out. When a splice burns out, the laser is absorbed by the walls of the trough, causing the temperature to rise sharply, reaching as high as 3000°C. This temperature, far exceeding the melting point of aluminum alloy, can damage the fiber trough. Repairs require replacing the entire cooling plate, increasing both cost and time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a replaceable heat exchange module at the fiber entry point of the high-power fiber laser amplifier stage. The heat exchange module at the fiber entry point can be quickly disassembled and replaced, and the heat dissipation at the fiber entry point of the amplifier stage is sufficient.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solutions adopted in the embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0006] A replaceable heat exchange module for the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage, comprising:

[0007] Amplifier-level liquid cooling plate;

[0008] The fiber entry point heat exchange module consists of a water-cooling cover with a cavity and a water-cooling block with a cavity. The water-cooling block is detachably connected to the upper surface of the amplification stage liquid cooling plate. The water-cooling block is provided with an optical fiber groove. The water-cooling cover is detachably connected to the surface of the water-cooling block provided with the optical fiber groove. The water-cooling cover is connected to the cooling water. The water-cooling block is connected to the cooling water.

[0009] Furthermore, the water cooling cover is connected to a water cooling cover water inlet pipe and a water cooling cover water outlet pipe;

[0010] The two ends of the water-cooling cover water inlet pipe are respectively connected to a first water-cooling cover water inlet joint and a second water-cooling cover water inlet joint, the first water-cooling cover water inlet joint is threadedly connected to the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate, and the second water-cooling cover water inlet joint is threadedly connected to the water-cooling cover;

[0011] The two ends of the water cooling cover water outlet pipe are respectively connected to the first water cooling cover water outlet joint and the second water cooling cover water outlet joint. The first water cooling cover water outlet joint is threadedly connected to the amplification stage liquid cooling plate, and the second water cooling cover water outlet joint is threadedly connected to the water cooling cover.

[0012] Furthermore, the water-cooling block is connected to a water-cooling block water inlet pipe and a water-cooling block water outlet pipe;

[0013] The two ends of the water-cooling block water inlet pipe are respectively connected to a first water-cooling block water inlet joint and a second water-cooling block water inlet joint, the first water-cooling block water inlet joint is threadedly connected to the water-cooling block, and the second water-cooling block water inlet joint is threadedly connected to the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate;

[0014] The two ends of the water-cooling block water outlet pipe are respectively connected to the first water-cooling block water outlet joint and the second water-cooling block water outlet joint. The first water-cooling block water outlet joint is threadedly connected to the amplification stage liquid cooling plate, and the second water-cooling block water outlet joint is threadedly connected to the water-cooling block.

[0015] Furthermore, the water-cooling cover water inlet pipe and the water-cooling cover water outlet pipe are connected to the upper surface of the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate; the water-cooling block water inlet pipe and the water-cooling block water outlet pipe are connected to the lower surface of the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate.

[0016] Furthermore, an annular optical fiber groove for accommodating optical fibers is provided on the amplification stage liquid cooling plate, and there are two fiber entry point heat exchange modules, one of which is located inside the annular optical fiber groove, and the other is located outside the annular optical fiber groove.

[0017] Furthermore, the amplification stage liquid cooling plate is connected to cooling water.

[0018] The replaceable heat exchange module for the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. The temperature at the optical fiber fusion splice point can reach up to 3000°C. The present invention places the optical fiber fusion splice point in the optical fiber groove on the surface of the water-cooling block and provides a water-cooling cover above the optical fiber groove, thereby forming a fully wrapped water-cooled heat dissipation for the optical fiber fusion splice point, with good heat dissipation effect and fast heat dissipation speed.

[0020] 2. In the present invention, the water-cooling block is detachably connected to the amplifying stage liquid-cooling plate, and the water-cooling cover is detachably connected to the water-cooling block. The water-cooling block and the water-cooling cover are detachably connected, and maintenance and replacement are quick and convenient. This avoids the prior art in which when the optical fiber fusion point burns out, the optical fiber groove is burned out, and the entire amplifying stage liquid-cooling plate needs to be replaced, resulting in a waste of cost and time.

[0021] 3. In the present invention, the amplification stage liquid cooling plate is used to cool the optical fiber, and the fiber entry point heat exchange module is used to cool the optical fiber fusion point, thereby realizing graded cooling of the optical fiber and the optical fiber fusion point. The setting is reasonable and the cooling is optimized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the upper surface structure of a replaceable heat exchange module at the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lower surface structure of a replaceable heat exchange module at the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of a water cooling block in a fiber entry point heat exchange module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of a water cooling block in another fiber entry point heat exchange module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Description of reference numerals:

[0028] 1-Amplifier stage liquid cooling plate; 11-Annular optical fiber slot; 2-Fiber entry point heat exchange module; 21-Water cooling cover; 22-Water cooling block; 221-Optical fiber slot; 23-Water cooling cover water inlet pipe; 231-First water cooling cover water inlet joint; 232-Second water cooling cover water inlet joint; 24-Water cooling cover water outlet pipe; 241-First water cooling cover water outlet joint; 242-Second water cooling cover water outlet joint; 25-Water cooling block water inlet pipe; 251-First water cooling block water inlet joint; 252-Second water cooling block water inlet joint; 26-Water cooling block water outlet pipe; 261-First water cooling block water outlet joint; 262-First water cooling block water outlet joint; 3-Optical fiber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to better understand the purpose, structure and function of the present invention, the following is a further detailed description of a replaceable heat exchange module for the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] See attached Figure 1-4 An embodiment of the present invention provides a replaceable heat exchange module for a fiber entry point of an amplifier stage of a high-power fiber laser, comprising: an amplifier stage liquid cooling plate 1 and a fiber entry point heat exchange module 2.

[0031] Among them, the fiber entry point heat exchange module 2 is composed of a water-cooled cover 21 with a cavity and a water-cooled block 22 with a cavity. The water-cooled block 22 is detachably connected to the upper surface of the amplification stage liquid cooling plate 1. The water-cooled block 22 is provided with an optical fiber groove 221. The water-cooled cover 21 is detachably connected to the surface of the water-cooled block 22 provided with the optical fiber groove 221. The water-cooled cover 21 is connected to the cooling water, and the water-cooled block 22 is connected to the cooling water.

[0032] Furthermore, the temperature at the fiber fusion point can reach as high as 3000°C, which will burn the fiber entry point of the amplifier stage. Currently, the most common heat dissipation solution for the fiber entry point of the amplifier stage is to process a fiber optic groove on the amplifier stage liquid cooling plate, place the fiber fusion point in the fiber optic groove, and cool the fiber fusion point by passing water through the amplifier stage liquid cooling plate. When the fiber fusion point burns out, the fiber optic groove will also burn. During maintenance, the entire amplifier stage liquid cooling plate needs to be replaced, which wastes time and increases maintenance costs. Another heat dissipation solution is to pass water through the fiber optic groove of the fiber entry point to dissipate heat for the fiber fusion point. This heat dissipation method requires the addition of a large number of sealing structures, which increases processing costs. Moreover, as the use time increases, the coolant will corrode the fiber fusion point, posing a safety hazard.

[0033] Furthermore, the present invention places the fiber fusion splice point in the fiber optic slot 221 of the water-cooling block 22. A water-cooling cover 21 is stacked on the water-cooling block 22. By flowing water through the water-cooling cover 21 and the water-cooling block 22, a fully enclosed cooling system is formed for the fiber fusion splice point, achieving effective and rapid cooling. Furthermore, the water-cooling block 22 and the water-cooling cover 21 are detachably connected, making replacement easy, thus avoiding the cost and time associated with replacing the amplifier-stage liquid cooling plate 1.

[0034] Furthermore, a water cooling cover water inlet pipe 23 and a water cooling cover water outlet pipe 24 are connected to the water cooling cover 21 .

[0035] Furthermore, the ends of the water-cooling cover water inlet pipe 23 are respectively connected to a first water-cooling cover water inlet joint 231 and a second water-cooling cover water inlet joint 232. The first water-cooling cover water inlet joint 231 is threadedly connected to the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate 1, and the second water-cooling cover water inlet joint 232 is threadedly connected to the water-cooling cover 21. The ends of the water-cooling cover water outlet pipe 24 are respectively connected to a first water-cooling cover water outlet joint 241 and a second water-cooling cover water outlet joint 242. The first water-cooling cover water outlet joint 241 is threadedly connected to the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate 1, and the second water-cooling cover water outlet joint 242 is threadedly connected to the water-cooling cover 21.

[0036] Furthermore, cooling water enters the cavity of the water-cooling cover 21 through the water-cooling cover inlet pipe 23 to cool the optical fiber fusion splice point, and then flows out through the water-cooling cover outlet pipe 24 .

[0037] Furthermore, a water-cooling block water inlet pipe 25 and a water-cooling block water outlet pipe 26 are connected to the water-cooling block 22 .

[0038] Furthermore, the two ends of the water-cooling block water inlet pipe 25 are respectively connected to the first water-cooling block water inlet joint 251 and the second water-cooling block water inlet joint 252, the first water-cooling block water inlet joint 251 is threadedly connected to the water-cooling block 22, and the second water-cooling block water inlet joint 252 is threadedly connected to the amplification stage liquid cooling plate 1; the two ends of the water-cooling block water outlet pipe 26 are respectively connected to the first water-cooling block water outlet joint 261 and the second water-cooling block water outlet joint 262, the first water-cooling block water outlet joint 261 is threadedly connected to the amplification stage liquid cooling plate 1, and the second water-cooling block water outlet joint 262 is threadedly connected to the water-cooling block 22.

[0039] Furthermore, cooling water enters the cavity of the water-cooling block 22 through the water-cooling block water inlet pipe 25 to cool the optical fiber fusion splice point, and then flows out through the water-cooling block water outlet pipe 26 .

[0040] Further, see Appendix Figure 1 And attached Figure 2 The water-cooling cover inlet pipe 23 and the water-cooling cover outlet pipe 24 are connected to the upper surface of the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate 1; the water-cooling block inlet pipe 25 and the water-cooling block outlet pipe 26 are connected to the lower surface of the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate 1.

[0041] Furthermore, the amplifier-stage liquid-cooling plate 1 is provided with an annular fiber trough 11 for accommodating the optical fiber 3. Two fiber entry point heat exchange modules 2 are provided, one located within the annular fiber trough 11, and the other located outside the annular fiber trough 11. The two fiber entry point heat exchange modules 2 correspond to the two fiber splice points at both ends of the optical fiber and are used to cool the fiber splice points at both ends of the optical fiber.

[0042] Furthermore, the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate 1 is connected to cooling water.

[0043] The present invention is further described below with the aid of specific embodiments. However, it should be understood that the specific description herein should not be construed as limiting the essence and scope of the present invention. Various modifications made to the following embodiments by ordinary technicians in this field after reading this specification are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A replaceable heat exchange module for the fiber entry point of a high-power fiber laser amplifier stage, characterized in that: include: Amplifier stage liquid cooling plate (1); A fiber entry point heat exchange module (2) is composed of a water-cooled cover (21) having a cavity and a water-cooled block (22) having a cavity, wherein the water-cooled block (22) is detachably connected to the upper surface of the amplification stage liquid cooling plate (1), and an optical fiber groove (221) is provided on the water-cooled block (22). The water-cooled cover (21) is detachably connected to the surface of the water-cooled block (22) provided with the optical fiber groove (221), the water-cooled cover (21) is connected to cooling water, and the water-cooled block (22) is connected to cooling water; The water cooling cover (21) is connected to a water cooling cover water inlet pipe (23) and a water cooling cover water outlet pipe (24); The two ends of the water cooling cover water inlet pipe (23) are respectively connected to a first water cooling cover water inlet joint (231) and a second water cooling cover water inlet joint (232), the first water cooling cover water inlet joint (231) is threadedly connected to the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate (1), and the second water cooling cover water inlet joint (232) is threadedly connected to the water cooling cover (21); The two ends of the water cooling cover outlet pipe (24) are respectively connected to a first water cooling cover outlet joint (241) and a second water cooling cover outlet joint (242), the first water cooling cover outlet joint (241) is threadedly connected to the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate (1), and the second water cooling cover outlet joint (242) is threadedly connected to the water cooling cover (21); The water-cooling block (22) is connected to a water-cooling block water inlet pipe (25) and a water-cooling block water outlet pipe (26); The two ends of the water-cooling block water inlet pipe (25) are respectively connected to a first water-cooling block water inlet joint (251) and a second water-cooling block water inlet joint (252), the first water-cooling block water inlet joint (251) is threadedly connected to the water-cooling block (22), and the second water-cooling block water inlet joint (252) is threadedly connected to the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate (1); The two ends of the water-cooling block outlet pipe (26) are respectively connected to a first water-cooling block outlet joint (261) and a second water-cooling block outlet joint (262), the first water-cooling block outlet joint (261) is threadedly connected to the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate (1), and the second water-cooling block outlet joint (262) is threadedly connected to the water-cooling block (22); The water cooling cover water inlet pipe (23) and the water cooling cover water outlet pipe (24) are connected to the upper surface of the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate (1); the water cooling block water inlet pipe (25) and the water cooling block water outlet pipe (26) are connected to the lower surface of the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate (1); An annular optical fiber groove (11) for accommodating an optical fiber (3) is provided on the amplifying stage liquid cooling plate (1), and there are two fiber entry point heat exchange modules (2), one of which is located inside the annular optical fiber groove (11), and the other is located outside the annular optical fiber groove (11).

2. The replaceable heat exchange module for the fiber entry point of the high-power fiber laser amplifier stage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The amplifying stage liquid cooling plate (1) is connected to cooling water.

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