Water guide laser coupling device

Abstract

This application relates to a water-guided laser coupling device, comprising: a volute (10) having a volute cavity (11) formed therein, the cross-sectional size of the volute cavity (11) gradually decreasing, the volute cavity (11) having a high-pressure water inlet (12); and a high-pressure water jetting component (20) having a jetting channel (21) therein, the volute cavity (11) being in fluid communication with the jetting channel (21); the high-pressure water is uniformly distributed and converged along the axial direction by the volute structure and the internal guide vanes and flow channels, thereby forming a stable high-pressure water jet, providing a stable working environment for total laser reflection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to laser processing technology, and more particularly to a water-guided laser coupling device. Background Technology

[0002] The thrust-to-weight ratio of an aero-engine is closely related to the operating temperature of its hot-end components (combustion chamber and turbine). Both domestic and international manufacturers are adopting advanced new high-temperature resistant fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMC) to meet the higher service temperature requirements of hot-end components. However, current conventional machining or special machining processes cannot meet the high precision and low damage machining requirements of CMC components.

[0003] Water-guided short-pulse lasers utilize a laser-high-pressure water jet. The laser beam is totally reflected and confined within the high-pressure water jet, maintaining extremely high energy density. The laser energy distribution at the interface between the high-pressure water jet and the workpiece is a uniform, flat-top pattern, allowing the entire stable water jet to be used for material processing. During the water-guided laser ablation process, the plasma generated during each laser pulse pushes the water layer upwards, achieving effective material removal. At the end of the pulse, the steam plume collapses, and the water jet washes and scours the surface, removing processing debris and preventing secondary adhesion of byproducts. The water jet also cools the surface, preventing thermal damage to the CMC surface. Water-guided lasers avoid the complexity and process variations associated with maintaining laser focus in dry laser processing.

[0004] Water-guided laser technology requires the use of a certain coupling cavity device to form a stable water jet, and the stability of the water jet has a significant impact on the total internal reflection of the laser. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a water-guided laser coupling device, comprising: a volute having a cavity formed therein, the cavity having a high-pressure water inlet; and a high-pressure water jet having a jet channel in fluid communication with the cavity.

[0006] In some embodiments, the volute is configured such that the incoming high-pressure water is evenly distributed circumferentially within the volute cavity.

[0007] In some embodiments, the volute cavity is in fluid communication with the high-pressure water inlet of the jet channel throughout the entire circumference.

[0008] In some embodiments, the water-guided laser coupling device includes a plurality of guide vanes rotatably arranged circumferentially within the volute cavity and located between the high-pressure water inlet and the jet channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the water-guided laser coupling device includes an end cap that seals the high-pressure water outlet of the volute cavity and the high-pressure water inlet of the jet channel. There is a gap between the end cap and the high-pressure water outlet of the volute cavity and the high-pressure water inlet of the jet channel, the gap connecting the volute cavity and the jet channel in fluid communication. The end cap diverts and guides the high-pressure water from the volute cavity to the jet channel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the flow direction of high-pressure water from the volute cavity to the end cap is substantially opposite to the flow direction of high-pressure water in the jet channel.

[0011] In some embodiments, the jet channel includes a first section and a second section arranged sequentially along the high-pressure water flow direction, wherein the first section is larger in cross-sectional dimension than the second section.

[0012] In some embodiments, the injection channel includes a third section located downstream of the second section and having a cross-sectional dimension larger than the second section but smaller than the first section.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional dimensions of the third section gradually increase along the direction of the high-pressure water.

[0014] In some embodiments, the volute is arranged circumferentially around the high-pressure water jet.

[0015] Compared to current water-guided laser coupling cavity devices, this application can distribute high-pressure water more evenly and stably, with the high-pressure water evenly converging at the jet nozzle, resulting in a more stable water jet.

[0016] Other features and advantages of this application will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application 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 some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram illustrating a water-guided laser coupling device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a side view of the water-guided laser coupling device according to an embodiment of this application; and

[0020] Figure 3 For alongFigure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the water-guided laser coupling device obtained by cutting the AA line. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0021] 10, volute; 11, volute cavity; 12, high-pressure water inlet; 20, high-pressure water jet component; 21, jet channel; 30, guide vane; 40, end cap; 50, gap; 22, first section; 23, second section; 24, third section. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this application or its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0024] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0026] Water-guided laser coupling devices are used in laser processing technology. A laser beam, focused by an optical system, is coupled into a water jet generated by a jetting component. The laser propagates within the water jet via total internal reflection, ensuring that the laser energy is concentrated within the water jet, enabling high-precision and high-quality material processing.

[0027] This application provides a water-guided laser coupling device, such as... Figure 1As shown, the water-guided laser coupling device includes a volute 10 and a high-pressure water jet 20. The volute 10 has a volute cavity 11 inside, with the cross-sectional dimensions of the cavity gradually decreasing. The end of the volute cavity 11 has a high-pressure water inlet 12 for ejecting high-pressure water entering the cavity. The high-pressure water jet 20 has an internal jetting channel 21, and the volute cavity 11 is in fluid communication with the inlet of the jetting channel 21. By adding a volute structure before the nozzle, the stability and quality of the water jet are improved, thereby increasing the coupling efficiency between the laser and the water jet.

[0028] In some embodiments of this application, the structure of the volute 10 is parametrically designed, and the parameters can be adjusted as needed to ensure that the incoming high-pressure water is evenly distributed circumferentially within the volute cavity 11. This allows for flexible design of the volute cavity structure to meet different requirements.

[0029] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the volute 10 is arranged circumferentially around the high-pressure water jet 20. This arrangement places the high-pressure water jet 20 on the inner circumferential side of the volute 10 and supports the volute 10. High-pressure water from the volute cavity 11 of the volute 10 enters the inlet of the jet channel 21 along the entire circumferential direction, improving the flow rate and stability of the high-pressure water entering the jet channel 21.

[0030] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the water-guided laser coupling device includes multiple guide vanes 30, which are rotatably arranged in the volute cavity 11 along the circumference and located between the high-pressure water inlet 12 and the jet channel 21. This allows the multiple guide vanes 30 in the volute cavity 11 to rectify the high-pressure water from the high-pressure water inlet 12 and guide it upward along the axial direction, thereby achieving orderly directional flow of the high-pressure water and helping to eliminate turbulence during the high-pressure water convergence process.

[0031] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the water-guided laser coupling device includes an end cap 40 that covers the axial outlet end of the volute cavity 11 and the injection channel 21 of the high-pressure water jet 20. A gap 50 is formed between the end cap 40 and the axial outlet end of the volute cavity 11 and the inlet of the injection channel 21, allowing fluid communication between the volute cavity 11 and the inlet of the injection channel 20. The end cap 40 redirects the high-pressure water from the volute cavity 11, causing the high-pressure water to be ejected axially downwards in the injection channel 21. This results in a different flow direction of the high-pressure water in the volute cavity 11 compared to its flow direction in the injection channel 20. This increases the path length of the high-pressure water flow within the water-guided laser coupling device without increasing the overall size. The arrows indicate the flow direction of the high-pressure water.

[0032] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the high-pressure water flow direction from the volute cavity 11 to the inlet of the jet channel 21 is basically opposite to the high-pressure water flow direction of the jet channel 21, and the arrow indicates the flow direction of the high-pressure water.

[0033] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the jet channel 21 includes a first section 22 and a second section 23 arranged sequentially along the high-pressure water flow direction. The first section 22 has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the second section 23. This allows the high-pressure water to first decrease in pressure within the first section 22 and then increase in pressure within the second section 23. Optionally, the jet channel 21 includes a third section 24, located downstream of the second section 23, and having a cross-sectional dimension larger than the second section 23 but smaller than the first section 22. Optionally, the cross-sectional dimension of the third section 24 gradually increases along the high-pressure water direction. This variation in the cross-sectional dimension of the jet channel results in greater pressure and more uniform jetting of the high-pressure water.

[0034] This application discloses a water-guided laser coupling device based on a volute structure. The upper end of the volute structure, together with other structures, forms a high-pressure water coupling cavity space. The volute structure, along with the internal guide vanes and flow channels, uniformly distributes and gathers high-pressure water along the axial direction, thereby forming a stable high-pressure water jet and providing a stable working environment for total laser reflection.

[0035] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A water-guided laser coupling device, comprising: A volute (10) has a volute cavity (11) formed therein, the cross-sectional dimensions of which gradually decrease, and the volute cavity (11) is provided with a high-pressure water inlet (12); and The high-pressure water jet component (20) has a jet channel (21) that is in fluid communication with the volute cavity (11).

2. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the volute (10) is configured such that the incoming high-pressure water is uniformly distributed circumferentially in the volute cavity (11).

3. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the volute cavity (11) is in fluid communication with the high-pressure water inlet of the jet channel (21) in the entire circumferential direction.

4. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of guide vanes (30) rotatably arranged in the volute cavity (11) along the circumference and located between the high-pressure water inlet (12) and the jet channel (21).

5. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 1, comprising an end cap (40) that seals the high-pressure water outlet of the volute cavity (11) and the high-pressure water inlet of the jet channel (21), wherein there is a gap (50) between the end cap (40) and the high-pressure water outlet of the volute cavity (11) and the high-pressure water inlet of the jet channel (21), the gap (50) fluidly communicating the volute cavity (11) and the jet channel (20), and the end cap (40) redirects and guides the high-pressure water from the volute cavity (11) to the jet channel (21).

6. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 5, wherein the flow direction of high-pressure water from the volute cavity (11) to the end cap (40) is substantially opposite to the flow direction of high-pressure water in the jet channel (21).

7. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the jet channel (21) comprises a first section (22) and a second section (23) arranged sequentially along the high-pressure water flow direction, wherein the first section (22) is larger in cross-sectional dimension than the second section (23).

8. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 7, wherein the jet channel (21) includes a third section (24) located downstream of the second section (23) and having a cross-sectional dimension larger than the second section (23) but smaller than the first section (22).

9. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the third section (24) gradually increases along the high-pressure water direction.

10. The water-guided laser coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the volute (10) is arranged circumferentially around the high-pressure water jet (20).

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