Sealed-off type carbon dioxide laser tube
By introducing a straightening tube and support structure into the sealed carbon dioxide laser tube, the problem of unstable straightness of the discharge tube was solved, and the laser beam quality and output power were improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
The existing sealed carbon dioxide laser tubes have difficulty controlling the uniformity of the spike height during the firing process, resulting in large errors in the straightness of the discharge tube, which affects the laser beam quality and output power.
The sealed carbon dioxide laser tube adopts a four-layer structure. A straightening tube is provided outside the discharge tube. The straightening tube has multiple sets of threaded holes. Adjusting pins are screwed in to straighten the discharge tube. Combined with the straightening tube support and the water-cooling tube support, the straightness stability of the discharge tube is ensured.
The straightness error of the discharge tube was reduced to within 0.05-0.1 mm, the laser beam quality was improved, the M² factor was less than 1.1, and the average power was increased by 6%.
Smart Images
Figure CN121663294A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser tube technology, and more specifically to a sealed carbon dioxide laser tube. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, existing sealed carbon dioxide laser tubes typically employ a three-layer shell structure made of high borosilicate glass. From the inside out, these consist of a discharge tube, a cooling water tube, and a gas storage tube. The discharge tube has a cathode and an anode installed at its two ends, respectively, and is connected to the gas storage tube via a return gas tube to maintain working gas circulation. To support the discharge tube with its large aspect ratio and suppress its bending due to gravity, existing technologies generally fire multiple sets of concentric conical protrusions onto the outer wall of the cooling water tube. Each set of protrusions consists of three protrusions evenly distributed circumferentially. These protrusions contact the outer wall of the discharge tube with their tips to provide radial support, thereby maintaining the straightness of the discharge tube and ensuring laser output power and beam quality.
[0003] However, the existing nail-firing process has significant drawbacks: the firing process requires temperatures exceeding 800℃, which easily causes localized deformation of the discharge tube, and the height consistency of each group of nails is difficult to control precisely; if the nails are too high, they will compress the discharge tube, causing deformation; if they are too low, they cannot provide effective support, and inconsistent heights will cause the discharge tube to bend. Currently, straightness is mainly ensured by the operator's visual inspection and experience, resulting in a general distribution of straightness error of the discharge tube after firing between 0.1–0.3 mm / m (specifically, the number of tubes with a straightness error ≤0.1 mm / m is approximately...). The number of tubes with straightness errors of 0.1-0.15 mm / m accounts for about 30%, those with straightness errors of 0.15-0.3 mm / m account for about 60%, and those with straightness errors greater than 0.3 mm / m account for about 5%. When the straightness error of the discharge tube reaches 0.2 mm / m, the beam quality M² factor increases by 0.1–0.3, the output power decreases by 1%–3%, and the beam quality and cutting ability show a noticeable degradation. Another technical solution is to mechanically manufacture the spikes separately, and then assemble and fire the spikes with the discharge tube and water-cooling tube (i.e., ...). Figure 3 (61, 62 in the text); the spring can also be set as C-shaped, with three or more outward protrusions evenly distributed on the circumference of the C-shaped spring. The inner circle of the C-shaped spring wraps around the outer wall of the discharge tube, and the three or more protrusions push outward against the inner wall of the water-cooling tube. The problem with this process is that the straightness of the discharge tube depends on the dimensional accuracy of the C-shaped spring and the water-cooling tube. The ellipticity of the water-cooling tube can reach 0.9%. Even if a 25 mm diameter glass tube is used, its ellipticity error is 0.225 mm. No matter how high the accuracy of the C-shaped spring is, it is difficult to guarantee that the straightness error of the discharge tube is less than 0.1 mm / m.
[0004] Therefore, how to provide a sealed carbon dioxide laser tube structure that can ensure the straightness of the discharge tube, thereby improving the laser beam quality, output power and cutting performance, is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention is proposed to provide a sealed carbon dioxide laser tube that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a sealed carbon dioxide laser tube, characterized in that it comprises: a discharge tube (2), a straightening tube (33), a water cooling tube (3), a gas storage tube (4), and a straightening tube support (621). The discharge tube (2) is provided with a cathode (101) and an anode (102) at both ends, and is connected to the gas storage tube (4) through the return gas tube (5); the cathode (101) and the anode (102) are provided with terminals (91); The straightening tube (33) is sleeved on the outside of the discharge tube (2). Multiple sets of threaded holes are provided on its tube wall. Multiple threaded holes are provided on each set of threaded holes. A discharge tube adjusting pin (61) is screwed into each threaded hole. The end of the discharge tube adjusting pin (61) contacts the outer wall of the discharge tube (2). The straightening tube support (621) is located between the middle of the straightening tube (33) and the suspended end, and is elastically snapped to the straightening tube (33).
[0007] Furthermore, one end of the straightening pipe (33) is fixedly connected to the water cooling pipe (3) through the straightening pipe sealing flange (331) and the sealing ring (332), while the other end is suspended.
[0008] Furthermore, the water cooling pipe (3) is provided with an inlet nozzle (31) and an outlet nozzle (32), both located on the same side of the fixed connection end of the straightening pipe (33); The cooling water flows through the following path: it flows in from the inlet (31), passes through the gap between the straightening pipe (33) and the discharge pipe (2), then passes through the suspended end of the straightening pipe (33), then passes through the gap between the straightening pipe (33) and the water cooling pipe (3), and flows out from the outlet (32).
[0009] Furthermore, the material of the straightening tube (33) is one of metal, ceramic, glass or composite material.
[0010] Furthermore, a spherical contact head is fitted to the tip of the discharge tube adjusting pin (61).
[0011] Furthermore, the number of threaded hole groups is set according to the length of the discharge tube (2).
[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a water-cooled pipe support (34); the water-cooled pipe support (34) is disposed on the end of the water-cooled pipe (3) away from the inlet (31) and outlet (32); The water-cooled pipe bracket (34) includes a bracket (7), a fastening screw (8), and a spring (6). The spring is fixed with a pin (9). The water-cooled bracket (34) and the water-cooled pipe (3) are tightened and fixed by the fastening screw (8). The spring is fixed with the pin (8) and the spring (6) is fixed to the top of the bracket (7). The spring (6) is in elastic contact with the inner wall of the gas storage pipe (4).
[0013] Furthermore, it also includes an output mirror port (11), an output mirror (82), a total reflection port (12), and a total reflection mirror (81). The output mirror port (11) is located on the laser tube near the suspended end of the straightening tube (33), and the output mirror (82) is located in the output mirror port (11); the total reflection port (12) is located on the laser tube away from the suspended end of the straightening tube (33), and the total reflection mirror (81) is located in the total reflection port (12).
[0014] Furthermore, the stiffness of the straightening tube (33) is greater than that of the discharge tube (2).
[0015] Furthermore, the terminal block (91) is a tungsten rod.
[0016] The beneficial effects of the above-described technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention include at least the following: This invention provides a sealed carbon dioxide laser tube with a four-layer structure. A straightening tube is concentrically positioned outside the discharge tube. The straightening tube has multiple sets of adjusting pins along its length, each set consisting of multiple screws. These adjusting pins are evenly distributed around the circumference of the straightening tube. The rigidity of the straightening tube is significantly greater than that of the discharge tube. Using the straightening tube as a base, the adjusting pins are adjusted. The straightness of the discharge tube is measured using equipment, and the adjusting pins on the straightening tube are adjusted to straighten the discharge tube. The rigidity of the straightening tube maintains the stability of the discharge tube's straightness. After adjustment, the straightness error of the discharge tube is between 0.05-0.1 mm. With the straightness of the discharge tube guaranteed, the M² factor is less than 1.1, and the average power is increased by 6%. This process significantly improves the quality of the laser spot and the stability of the laser output. Attached Figure Description
[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main cross-sectional structure of the sealed carbon dioxide laser tube provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top sectional view of the sealed carbon dioxide laser tube provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a top sectional view of the water-cooled pipe support provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a front view of the water-cooled pipe support provided in an embodiment of the present invention; In the diagram: 11. Output mirror inlet; 12. Total reflection mirror inlet; 2. Discharge tube; 3. Water cooling tube; 31. Water inlet; 32. Water outlet; 33. Straightening tube; 331. Straightening tube sealing flange; 332. Sealing ring; 34. Water cooling tube bracket; 4. Gas storage tube; 5. Gas return tube; 61. Discharge tube adjusting pin; 621. Straightening tube bracket; 81. Total reflection mirror; 82. Output mirror; 91. Terminal block; 101. Anode; 102. Cathode; 7. Bracket; 8. Fastening screw; 9. Spring clip fixing pin; 6. Spring clip. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0020] This invention discloses a sealed carbon dioxide laser tube, comprising: a discharge tube 2, a straightening tube 33, a water cooling tube 3, a gas storage tube 4, and a straightening tube support 621; The discharge tube 2 is provided with a cathode 101 and an anode 102 at its two ends, and is connected to the gas storage tube 4 through the return gas pipe 5; terminal blocks 91 are provided on the cathode 101 and the anode 102. The straightening tube 33 is sleeved on the outside of the discharge tube 2. Multiple sets of threaded holes are provided on its tube wall. Each set of threaded holes has multiple threaded holes. A discharge tube adjusting nail 61 is screwed into each threaded hole. The end of the discharge tube adjusting nail 61 contacts the outer wall of the discharge tube 2. The straightening tube bracket 621 is located between the middle of the straightening tube 33 and the suspended end, and is elastically snapped to the straightening tube 33.
[0021] The specific implementation of this invention is as follows: This invention provides a sealed carbon dioxide laser tube, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the existing three-layer glass structure of the sealed carbon dioxide laser tube is changed to a four-layer structure, consisting of a discharge tube 2, a straightening tube 33, a water-cooling tube 3, and a gas storage tube 4 from the inside out. The discharge tube 2 has a cathode 102 and an anode 101 installed at both ends, and is connected to the gas storage tube 4 via a return gas tube 5 to maintain working gas circulation. The straightening tube 33 is concentrically positioned around the discharge tube 2. Preferably, the straightening tube 33 has five sets of threaded holes along its length, with three holes in each set. These three threaded holes are evenly distributed around the circumference of the straightening tube, and all these threaded holes are screwed into adjustment pins 61 for the discharge tube. The material of tube 33 is glass, ceramic, metal, or other composite materials. The threaded hole on the straightening tube 33 can be machined, bonded, welded with nuts, or other methods. The rigidity of the straightening tube 33 is much greater than that of the discharge tube 2. Using the straightening tube 33 as a base, the discharge tube adjusting pin 61 on it is adjusted. The straightness of the discharge tube 2 is measured using equipment. Adjusting the discharge tube adjusting pin 61 on the straightening tube can straighten the discharge tube 2. The rigidity of the straightening tube 33 can maintain the stability of the straightness of the discharge tube 2. The outer layer of the straightening tube 33 is a water-cooled tube 3, which is concentrically set with the straightening tube 33. One end of the straightening tube 33 is sealed to the outer water-cooled tube 3. Preferably, the straightening tube 33 is used as a water-cooled tube 3. The straight pipe sealing flange 331, sealing ring 332, and the other end are suspended between the discharge tube 2 and the water-cooling tube 3. The water inlet 31 and water outlet 32 of the water-cooling tube 3 are respectively connected to the straightening tube 33 and the sealing flange 33 at the connection of the straightening tube 33 and the water-cooling tube 3. The water inlet 31 and water outlet 32 are respectively connected through the inside and outside of the straightening tube 33 at the suspended end. The straightening tube sealing flange 331, sealing ring 332, and straightening tube bracket 621 are also used to support the straightening tube 33 so that it is located at the center 3 of the water-cooling tube. The length between the straightening tube sealing flange 331 and the straightening tube bracket 621 is 50%-85% of the length of the discharge tube 2. This prevents the straightening pipe 33 from bending due to excessive length of the two support points. The inlet 31 and outlet 32 of the water-cooling pipe 3 are located on one side, and the other end of the water-cooling pipe 3 is supported by the water-cooling pipe 34 bracket. The position of the water-cooling pipe bracket 34 should be as consistent as possible with the straightening pipe bracket 621, so that the water-cooling pipe 3 will not bend due to excessive length of the two support points. The cooling water flows through the following path: it flows in from the inlet (31), flows through the gap between the straightening pipe (33) and the discharge pipe (2), then flows through the suspended end of the straightening pipe (33), then flows through the gap between the straightening pipe (33) and the water-cooling pipe (3), and flows out from the outlet (32).
[0022] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the water-cooled pipe bracket 34 consists of a bracket 7, a fastening screw 8, a spring clip fixing pin 9, and a spring clip 6. The central hole of the bracket 7 is used to position the water-cooled pipe 3. After the fastening screw 8 is tightened, the water-cooled pipe bracket 34 can be fixed to the water-cooled pipe 3. The spring clip fixing pin 9 fixes the spring clip 6 to the top of the bracket 7. The two support points on the lower side of the bracket 7 and the spring clip 6 are positioned inside the gas storage pipe 4.
[0023] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatuses disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the structures disclosed in the embodiments, the descriptions are relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the structural descriptions.
[0024] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube, characterized in that, include: Discharge tube (2), straightening tube (33), water cooling tube (3), gas storage tube (4) and straightening tube support (621); The discharge tube (2) is provided with a cathode (101) and an anode (102) at both ends, and is connected to the gas storage tube (4) through the return gas tube (5); the cathode (101) and the anode (102) are provided with terminals (91). The straightening tube (33) is sleeved on the outside of the discharge tube (2). Multiple sets of threaded holes are provided on its tube wall. Multiple threaded holes are provided on each set of threaded holes. A discharge tube adjusting pin (61) is screwed into each threaded hole. The end of the discharge tube adjusting pin (61) contacts the outer wall of the discharge tube (2). The straightening tube support (621) is located between the middle part of the straightening tube (33) and the suspended end, and is elastically snapped to the straightening tube (33).
2. The sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: One end of the straightening pipe (33) is fixedly connected to the water cooling pipe (3) through the straightening pipe sealing flange (331) and the sealing ring (332), while the other end is suspended.
3. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water-cooling pipe (3) is equipped with an inlet nozzle (31) and an outlet nozzle (32), both located on the same side of the fixed connection end of the straightening pipe (33).
4. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The straightening tube (33) is made of one of the following materials: metal, ceramic, glass or composite material.
5. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tip of the discharge tube adjusting pin (61) is fitted with a spherical contact head.
6. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of threaded hole groups is set according to the length of the discharge tube (2).
7. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Water-cooled pipe support (34), the water-cooled pipe support (34) is disposed on the end of the water-cooled pipe (3) away from the inlet (31) and outlet (32); The water-cooled pipe support (34) includes a support (7), fastening screws (8), spring pieces (6) and spring piece fixing pins (9). The water-cooled support (34) and the water-cooled pipe (3) are tightened and fixed by fastening screws (8). The spring piece fixing pins (8) fix the spring piece (6) to the top of the support (7). The spring piece (6) is in elastic contact with the inner wall of the gas storage pipe (4).
8. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Output mirror port (11), output mirror (82), total reflection port (12) and total reflection mirror (81); The output mirror port (11) is located on the laser tube near the suspended end of the straightening tube (33), and the output mirror (82) is located in the output mirror port (11); the total reflection port (12) is located on the laser tube away from the suspended end of the straightening tube (33), and the total reflection mirror (81) is located in the total reflection port (12).
9. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The stiffness of the straightening tube (33) is greater than that of the discharge tube (2).
10. A sealed carbon dioxide laser tube as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal block (91) is a tungsten rod.