Laser processing head

Abstract

Disclosed, in one embodiment of the present invention, is a laser processing head comprising: a fiber connector having an embedded fiber core that transmits a laser beam; a collimation-integrated optical system module detachably coupled with the fiber connector and having a reflector embedded therein that reflects the laser beam; a protection module detachably coupled with the collimation-integrated optical system module and including a distance adjusting member; and a nozzle module detachably coupled with the protection module and having an emission port that emits the laser beam reflected from the reflector to an object to be processed, wherein respective watertight O-rings are interposed between the fiber connector and the collimation-integrated optical system module, between the collimation-integrated optical system module and the protection module, and between the protection module and the nozzle module.

Description

Laser processing head

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a laser processing head having a watertight structure.

[0002] In general, in order to perform processing processes such as cutting or welding on nuclear power plant equipment for dismantling a nuclear power plant, the processing must be performed underwater using a laser processing device that uses a laser beam to minimize radioactive contamination.

[0003] In order to perform processing such as thermal cutting or welding using a laser processing device using a laser beam underwater, a laser processing head with a watertight structure applied to the laser module including an optical system and auxiliary devices must be separately equipped.

[0004] In other words, the processing head of a conventional commercial laser processing device can perform tasks such as cutting or welding in the air, but in order to perform tasks such as cutting or welding underwater, a dedicated laser processing head with a watertight structure in which all parts, including the optical system and auxiliary devices, are sealed must be designed and manufactured.

[0005] However, the design and manufacture of a dedicated laser processing head with a watertight structure in which all parts are sealed has problems such as the difficulty in securing control and work space due to the larger volume and size compared to conventional commercial laser processing heads, and the complex configuration due to the large number of auxiliary devices such as cooling lines inside. In addition, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases rapidly as the volume and size increase, and there is a problem that even if a leak occurs only in a part of the dedicated laser processing head with a watertight structure, the entire laser processing head or the entire laser system that generates laser output may be damaged, resulting in huge losses.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention is to provide a laser processing head that can minimize increases in volume and size compared to a structure that makes the entire laser processing head watertight by compacting the watertight structure of the laser processing head.

[0007] In addition, an embodiment of the present invention provides a laser processing head that can stably seal the laser processing head by section, so that even if a leak occurs in a part of the laser processing head, the entire laser processing head is not affected, thereby facilitating maintenance and reducing costs accordingly.

[0008] In addition, an embodiment of the present invention provides a laser processing head capable of monitoring the state of a major part of a laser processing head, particularly the built-in space of a collimation and focusing integrated reflector corresponding to a conventional optical system, thereby preventing or minimizing damage to the device and occurrence of accidents.

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a laser processing head including: a fiber connector having a built-in fiber core for transmitting a laser beam; a collimation and optical system module detachably coupled to the fiber connector and having a built-in reflector for reflecting the laser beam; a protection module detachably coupled to the collimation and optical system module and including a distance adjusting member; and a nozzle module detachably coupled to the protection module and having an exit formed therein for emitting a laser beam reflected from the reflector to the processing object; wherein a watertight O-ring is interposed between the fiber connector and the collimation and optical system module, between the collimation and optical system module and the protection module, and between the protection module and the nozzle module, respectively.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the watertight structure of the laser processing head can be made compact, thereby minimizing the increase in volume and size compared to a structure that watertightens the entire existing laser processing head, thereby providing the advantage of increasing the degree of freedom in design and installation.

[0011] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the laser processing head can be stably watertightly divided into sections, so that even if a leak occurs in a part of the laser processing head, the entire laser processing head is not affected, which has the advantage of being convenient for maintenance and reducing costs accordingly.

[0012] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage in that the status of a major part of a laser processing head, particularly the built-in space of a collimation and focusing integrated reflector corresponding to a conventional optical system, can be monitored, thereby preventing or minimizing damage to the device and occurrence of accidents in advance.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a laser processing head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a laser processing head including: a fiber connector having a built-in fiber core for transmitting a laser beam; a collimation and optical system module detachably coupled to the fiber connector and having a built-in reflector for reflecting the laser beam; a protection module detachably coupled to the collimation and optical system module and including a distance adjusting member; and a nozzle module detachably coupled to the protection module and having an exit formed therein for emitting a laser beam reflected from the reflector to the processing object; wherein a watertight O-ring is interposed between the fiber connector and the collimation and optical system module, between the collimation and optical system module and the protection module, and between the protection module and the nozzle module, respectively.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the reflector may be a collimation and focusing integrated reflector that performs collimation and focusing simultaneously to reflect the laser beam to the processing target.

[0016] In this embodiment, a cooling block having a cooling channel may be provided on one side of the reflector, and the collimation and optical system integrated module may be provided with a cooling line for circulating a coolant through the cooling channel.

[0017] In this embodiment, the internal pressure of the collimation and optical system integrated module may be greater than the external atmospheric pressure or underwater pressure.

[0018] In this embodiment, a gas supply tube for supplying processing gas into the nozzle module is connected to one side of the nozzle module, and the processing gas introduced into the nozzle module can be discharged to the processing target through the outlet.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the protection module further includes a cover member combined with the distance adjustment member, and the cover member may include a first blocking glass built into it to prevent backflow of the processing gas.

[0020] In this embodiment, the distance adjusting member and the cover member are detachably coupled, and the watertight O-ring may be interposed between the distance adjusting member and the cover member.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the protection module further includes a centering member coupled with the cover member, and the centering member can be moved up and down while being coupled with the collimation-compatible optical system module and the watertight O-ring.

[0022] In this embodiment, the centering member and the cover member are detachably coupled, and the watertight O-ring can be interposed between the centering member and the cover member.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the collimation and optical system integrated module may include a second blocking glass that prevents backflow of the processing gas to the reflector.

[0024] In this embodiment, the distance adjustment member can be replaced by size according to the focusing distance of the laser beam.

[0025] In this embodiment, in the collimation and optical system integrated module, dry gas can be supplied to the space in which the reflector is built.

[0026] In this embodiment, a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor may be built into the internal space of the collimation-compatible optical system module.

[0027] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following detailed description is provided to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein. However, these are merely examples, and the disclosed embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0028] In describing the embodiments, if it is determined that a specific description of related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the disclosed embodiments, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the terms described below are terms defined in consideration of their functions in the disclosed embodiments, and this may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions should be made based on the contents throughout this specification. The terminology used in the detailed description is only for the purpose of describing the embodiments and should not be limited in any way. Unless clearly used otherwise, the singular form includes the plural form. In this description, expressions such as "comprises" or "having" are intended to indicate certain features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof, and should not be construed to exclude the presence or possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof other than those described.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a laser processing head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a laser processing head (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a fiber connector (110) having a built-in fiber core (Fiber Core: 111) for transmitting a laser beam downward, a collimation and focusing integrated module (120) coupled to the lower portion of the fiber connector (110) and having a built-in collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) for receiving a laser beam transmitted from the fiber core (111) and simultaneously performing collimation and focusing to reflect the laser beam toward a processing object (10), a protection module (130) coupled to the collimation and focusing integrated module (120), and a nozzle module (140) coupled to the protection module (130) and having an exit port (141) formed for emitting a laser beam toward the processing object (10).

[0031] At this time, although not shown in detail, the laser beam can be transmitted over a distance of approximately 30 m or more from a laser generator installed at a remote location.

[0032] Here, the fiber connector (110) and the collimation and optical system integrated module (120) are detachably coupled, and a watertight O-ring (151) is interposed between them to ensure airtightness between the fiber connector (110) and the collimation and optical system integrated module (120) through the watertight O-ring (151). In addition, the fiber connector (110) is formed as an integral body, so that watertightness can be secured by itself, and a separate case covering the fiber connector (110) for watertightness is unnecessary, so that a compact configuration can be achieved.

[0033] In addition, the collimation combined optical system module (120) and the protection module (130) are also detachably coupled, and a watertight O-ring (152) is interposed between them to ensure airtightness between the collimation combined optical system module (120) and the protection module (130) through the watertight O-ring (152).

[0034] In addition, the protection module (130) and the nozzle module (140) are detachably coupled, and a watertight O-ring (153) is interposed between the protection module (130) and the nozzle module (140), thereby enabling airtightness between the protection module (130) and the nozzle module (140) through the watertight O-ring (153).

[0035] Accordingly, the watertight structure of the laser processing head (100) can be compacted, and in the event of a leak in any specific area, only the leaked part can be replaced, thereby facilitating maintenance of the laser processing head (100) and reducing costs accordingly. In addition, each module can be replaced with a module having a different function or additional modules can be added as needed.

[0036] Meanwhile, the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) that receives the laser beam transmitted from the fiber core (111) and performs collimation and focusing simultaneously can be spaced apart from the fiber core (111) by a distance corresponding to the collimate distance.

[0037] Accordingly, the laser processing head (100) of the present embodiment determines the collimation distance and reverse-calculates the shape of the laser beam at that position, and utilizes a single collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) that focuses a circular laser beam at the focusing length, thereby minimizing the optical system that must maintain precision and applying a collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120) in the form of a single case.

[0038] In particular, since the error range that occurs when trying to make the entire optical system, which must be precise, watertight, is reduced and watertightness is possible for each module, the nozzle module (140) that directly processes can control the length of the barrel to secure the desired processing position.

[0039] For example, in the case of thick plate cutting processing, in order to secure the kerf width, an optical system with a collimation distance / focusing distance of 80 mm / 300 mm is used, and when defocusing to -60 mm, the focusing distance can become 240 mm, so it is possible to reduce the size of the optical system.

[0040] In addition, a cooling block (161) having a cooling path may be provided on one side of the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121), and the collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120) may be provided with a cooling line (162) for circulating a medium for cooling, i.e., a refrigerant, through the cooling path of the cooling block (161).

[0041] Accordingly, the laser processing head (100) of the present embodiment can partially cool only the single collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) that receives the most heat energy, so that the cooling line can be simplified and the cooling line can be exposed to the outside.

[0042] At this time, although not shown in detail, the collimation and focusing integrated optical system integrated module (120) has a built-in temperature sensor so that the temperature of the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) can be detected and monitored in real time to control the operation of the laser processing head (100), and thus, when the temperature of the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) is higher than the set temperature, the operation of the laser processing head (100) can be stopped and inspection and maintenance can be performed, thereby preventing and preventing the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) from being overheated and damaged through advance monitoring.

[0043] In addition, the collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120) may be equipped with a dry gas supply line (170) that supplies dry gas to a space in which the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) is built.

[0044] Accordingly, the laser processing head (100) of the present embodiment can maintain the pressure of the internal space of the collimation and optical system integrated module (120) at a positive pressure that is approximately 0.1 to 1 bar higher than the external atmospheric pressure or the underwater pressure by supplying dry gas through the dry gas supply line (170), thereby preventing dust or impurities from entering from the outside and removing moisture to maintain the optimal humidity.

[0045] At this time, although not shown in detail, a pressure sensor is built into the internal space of the collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120) so that the pressure of the internal space can be monitored in real time, and accordingly, when the set pressure of the internal space is exceeded through the pressure monitoring, the operation of the laser processing head (100) is stopped and inspection and maintenance are performed, thereby preventing and preventing problems in advance in which the internal configuration and structure including the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) are distorted. Of course, a humidity sensor may be built into the internal space of the collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120).

[0046] Meanwhile, a gas supply tube (145) is connected to one side of the nozzle module (140), so that processing gas can be supplied from the gas supply tube (145) into the nozzle module (140).

[0047] Accordingly, when the laser beam reflected from the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) passes through the exit port (141) and is focused and irradiated onto the processing target (10), the processing gas is introduced into the nozzle module (140) through the gas supply tube (145) and discharged together with the processing target (10) through the exit port (141), thereby forming an air pocket in the processing area of ​​the processing target (10) and improving the processing quality.

[0048] Meanwhile, the protection module (130) may include a centering member (131) in which the collimation and optical system integrated module (120) is interposed and joined with the aforementioned watertight O-ring (152), a cover member (132) in which the centering member (131) is interposed and joined with the watertight O-ring (154), and a distance adjusting member (133) in which the cover member (132) is interposed and joined with the watertight O-ring (155) but is replaced according to size and joined, and in which the nozzle module (140) is interposed and joined with the aforementioned watertight O-ring (153).

[0049] Here, the centering member (131) and the cover member (132) are detachably coupled to each other, and the cover member (132) and the distance adjusting member (133) can be detachably coupled to each other.

[0050] Meanwhile, the centering member (131) can be configured to move up and down while maintaining airtightness in a state where the collimation and optical system integrated module (120) and the watertight O-ring (152) are interposed and combined.

[0051] Accordingly, by moving the cover member (132), the distance adjustment member (133), and the nozzle module (140) together up and down while the collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120) is fixed through the up and down movement of the centering member (131), the laser beam reflected from the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) and irradiated to the processing object (10) via the nozzle module (140) can be accurately passed through the center of the exit port (141).

[0052] Therefore, problems such as the laser beam reflected from the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) and passing through the exit port (141) coming into contact with the inside of the exit port (141) and damaging the nozzle module (140) and lowering the processing quality of the processing target (10) can be prevented and prevented in advance.

[0053] In addition, the cover member (132) may have a first blocking glass (181) built in to prevent the processing gas supplied into the nozzle module (140) from being discharged to the outlet (141) and flowing back.

[0054] That is, for example, when the pressure of the processing gas supplied into the nozzle module (140) requires a significantly high pressure depending on the processing conditions, the processing gas may flow back to the opposite side of the exit port (141) while being discharged through the exit port (141). By preventing the backflow of the processing gas through the first blocking glass (181), the backflowed processing gas can be prevented from flowing into the collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120) through the centering member (131) and causing damage to the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121).

[0055] At this time, the first blocking glass (181) may be formed of a fused silica material, and in particular, it is preferable to form it of a white transparent fused silica material through which a laser beam can easily pass.

[0056] In addition, the collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120) may additionally include a second blocking glass (182) to prevent backflow of the processing gas into the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121).

[0057] That is, by providing a second blocking glass (182) in addition to the collimation and focusing integrated optical system module (120), it is possible to more reliably prevent processing gas flowing back from the nozzle module (140) due to an abnormality in the first blocking glass (181) provided in the cover member (132) from flowing into the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) through the protection module (130).

[0058] At this time, the second blocking glass (182) added to the collimation and optical system integrated module (120) may also be formed of a fused silica material as described above, and in particular, it is preferable to form it of a white transparent fused silica material through which the laser beam can easily pass.

[0059] Meanwhile, the distance adjustment member (133) can be replaced by size according to the focusing distance of the laser beam reflected from the collimation and focusing integrated reflector (121) and passing through the exit port (141) of the nozzle module (140).

[0060] That is, the laser processing head (100) of the present embodiment can have the freedom to manufacture watertightness for each module, i.e., each detailed component, so that the size of the distance adjustment member (133) can be easily changed and replaced to correspond to the focusing distance of the laser beam that varies depending on the processing conditions of the processing object (10).

[0061] Meanwhile, each of the above-described blocking glasses (181, 182) is a special lens that can withstand the backflowing cutting gas. For example, a high-pressure lens having a thickness of 5 mm or more is applied to stably block the backflowing high-pressure cutting gas.

[0062] At this time, in order to reduce the weight and miniaturization of the laser processing head (100) of the present embodiment, at least one of the above blocking glasses (181, 182) may be provided.

[0063] In addition, among the O-rings (151 to 152) described above, the O-rings provided in locations that are greatly affected by high pressure and heat may be replaced with, for example, a Teflon ring to maintain a more stable seal even under high pressure and high heat.

[0064] While representative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications to the above-described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the claims set forth below but also by equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A fiber connector having a built-in fiber core that transmits a laser beam; A collimation-compatible optical system module that is detachably coupled to the fiber connector and has a built-in reflector that reflects the laser beam; A protective module that is detachably connected to the above collimation-compatible optical system module and includes a distance adjustment member; and A nozzle module is formed with an emission port that is detachably connected to the protection module and emits a laser beam reflected from the reflector to the processing target; A laser processing head having watertight O-rings interposed between the fiber connector and the collimation-compatible optical system integrated module, between the collimation-compatible optical system integrated module and the protection module, and between the protection module and the nozzle module.

2. In paragraph 1, A laser processing head, wherein the reflector is a collimation and focusing integrated reflector that performs collimation and focusing simultaneously to reflect the laser beam onto the processing target.

3. In paragraph 1, A laser processing head, wherein a cooling block having a cooling path is provided on one side of the reflector, and a cooling line for circulating a coolant through the cooling path is provided in the collimation and optical system integrated module.

4. In paragraph 1, A laser processing head having an internal pressure of the above collimation and optical system integrated module greater than the external atmospheric pressure or underwater pressure.

5. In paragraph 1, A laser processing head in which a gas supply tube for supplying processing gas into the interior of the nozzle module is connected to one side of the nozzle module, and the processing gas introduced into the interior of the nozzle module is discharged to the processing target through the exit port.

6. In paragraph 5, The above protection module further includes a cover member coupled with the distance adjusting member, A laser processing head having a first blocking glass built into the above cover member to prevent backflow of the processing gas.

7. In paragraph 6, A laser processing head in which the distance adjusting member and the cover member are detachably coupled, and the watertight O-ring is interposed between the distance adjusting member and the cover member.

8. In paragraph 6, The above protection module further comprises a centering member coupled with the cover member, The above-mentioned centering member is a laser processing head that can move up and down while being combined with the above-mentioned collimation-compatible optical system module and the above-mentioned water-tight O-ring.

9. In paragraph 8, A laser processing head in which the centering member and the cover member are detachably coupled, and the watertight O-ring is interposed between the centering member and the cover member.

10. In paragraph 6, A laser processing head having a second blocking glass built into the above collimation and optical system module to prevent backflow of the processing gas to the above reflector.

11. In paragraph 1, The above distance adjustment member is a laser processing head which is replaced according to the size according to the focusing distance of the laser beam.

12. In paragraph 1, A laser processing head having an integrated collimation and optical system module, wherein dry gas is supplied to a space in which the reflector is built.

13. In claim 1, A laser processing head with a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor built into the internal space of the above collimation and optical system module.

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