Pressure chamber, method for operating such a pressure chamber and control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure chamber (1) having a main flow compartment (5) for media flow arranged in the pressure chamber (1), the main flow compartment (5) having a flow compartment inflow portion (7) and a flow compartment outflow portion (9), the pressure chamber (1) being configured for at least an inflow pressure of the media flow in the flow compartment inflow portion (7) of over 1 bar absolute. The pressure chamber (1) has at least one irradiation arrangement (3), which has a wall (11) with a wall opening (13). A first transparency element (15.1) and a second transparency element (15.2) are arranged in the wall opening (13) and a flow channel (17) is formed in the wall (11), said flow channel (17) having a passage channel portion (19) between the first transparency element (15.1) and the second transparency element (15.2), and an inflow channel portion (21) in the wall (11) as well as an outflow channel portion (23) opposite the inflow channel portion (21) along the passage channel portion (19).

Description

[0001] August 19, 2025

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Pressure chamber, method for operating such a pressure chamber and control device

[0004] The invention relates to a pressure chamber, a method for operating such a pressure chamber and a control device for carrying out such a method.

[0005] In such a pressure chamber, operating pressures can be higher, and in particular significantly higher, than the ambient pressure surrounding the chamber, especially atmospheric pressure. If a wall of such a pressure chamber has a transparency element that is at least partially transparent in the electromagnetic spectrum, this transparency element is typically made of a brittle material. Therefore, due to the material properties alone, but especially due to the mechanical stress caused by the pressure differential across the transparency element, there is a risk of cracking or material failure.Furthermore, there is a risk that the transparency element – ​​especially if it is initially damaged, for example by cracking – could burst under the pressure differential, potentially generating an intense pressure wave and / or explosively propelled fragments of the transparency element, posing a danger to people in the vicinity of the pressure chamber. If the pressure chamber is part of a laser assembly and the transparency element serves to transmit a laser beam, initial damage can occur, for example, due to burn marks, laser beam hotspots, or other defects, ultimately leading to breakage and, in particular, bursting of the transparency element.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a pressure chamber, a method for operating such a pressure chamber and a control device for carrying out such a method, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages are at least reduced, preferably avoided.

[0007] The problem is solved by providing the present technical teaching, in particular the teaching of the independent claims and the embodiments disclosed in the dependent claims and the description. The problem is solved in particular by creating a pressure chamber with a main flow chamber arranged in the pressure chamber for a media flow, wherein the main flow chamber has a flow chamber inlet section and a flow chamber outlet section, wherein the pressure chamber is configured for at least an inlet pressure of the media flow in the flow chamber inlet section of more than 1 bar absolute, wherein the pressure chamber has at least one through-flow arrangement having a wall with a wall recess, wherein a first transparency element and a second transparency element are arranged in the wall recess, and wherein a flow channel is formed in the wall.The structure features a through-channel section between the first and second transparency elements, an inflow channel section in the wall, and an outflow channel section opposite the inflow channel section along a flow path (i.e., fluid dynamically). By arranging the through-channel section between the first and second transparency elements, an additional, separate space is created. This space can either have a lower pressure than the main flow chamber of the pressure chamber, or it can have a significantly smaller volume. In both cases, this results in a significantly lower pressure energy (E = pV) behind one of the outer transparency elements.This is unlike the situation where the pressure difference between the main flow chamber and the external environment of the pressure chamber drops directly across a single transparency element; thus, in the event of damage, there is a significantly lower risk of an intense pressure wave forming and / or of fragments or splinters of the outer transparency element being ejected into the environment, or at least the intensity of the pressure wave and / or the kinetic energy of these fragments or splinters is considerably reduced. Consequently, the risk to persons in the vicinity of the pressure chamber is also significantly reduced. A breakage of the inner transparency element poses no danger whatsoever to the area surrounding the pressure chamber. Therefore, the pressure chamber proposed here can be operated with exceptional safety.Even if very high pressures prevail in the main flow chamber, the reduced pressure in the through-channel section—compared to the main flow chamber but still higher than ambient pressure—leads to reduced mechanical stresses in the two transparency elements. In particular, the mechanical load is distributed across two transparency elements instead of just one. This also advantageously reduces birefringence in the transparency elements and improves the optical properties of the transmission arrangement. Furthermore, the flow channel, comprising the inlet and outlet sections, can be purged with a medium, especially a gas. This is particularly beneficial when operating the transmission arrangement with a high-power laser beam.that chemical species arranged in the flow channel may be altered due to an interaction with the laser beam, or that chemical species may accumulate through outgassing, for example from adhesives or seals, which could unforeseen and particularly detrimental changes to the optical properties of the transmission arrangement. Furthermore, the transmission arrangement can be additionally cooled by flushing the flow channel with a medium.

[0008] In one embodiment, the pressure chamber is designed for an inlet pressure of more than 1 bar gauge pressure, in particular for an inlet pressure of at least 20 bar absolute. Even at such high pressures, due to the advantageous arrangement of the two transparent elements and the connecting channel section between them, there is no danger to persons in the vicinity of the pressure chamber.

[0009] In one embodiment, the pressure chamber is designed to be permeated by a gas flow, wherein the gas flow has a high velocity, in particular 50 m / s to 100 m / s. The gas flow, entering at high pressure and high velocity, serves in particular to cool an optically active plate arrangement located in the pressure chamber, for example, a plate amplifier and / or a frequency conversion plate arrangement. In one embodiment, the gas flow comprises a noble gas, in particular helium, or the gas flow consists entirely of a noble gas, in particular helium.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first transparency element is an outer transparency element that faces directly towards an external environment of the pressure chamber or, in other words, directly limits the pressure chamber towards the external environment.

[0011] Optionally, the second transparency element is an inner transparency element facing the main flow space, and in particular, directly adjacent to the main flow space. In the context of this technical teaching, a transparency element is understood to be, in particular, an element that is optically transparent for at least one target wavelength range in the electromagnetic spectrum. Specifically, at least one transparency element, selected from the first and second transparency elements, can be a window, in particular a planar window or a wedge-shaped window with a wedge angle of 0.1° to 0.5°, or the at least one transparency element can have a beam-directing effect, wherein the transparency element can, for example, be configured as a lens. In one embodiment, the first and second transparency elements are each configured as windows, in particular as planar windows.The two planar windows can enclose an angle of 1° to 3° with each other. In another embodiment, the first transparency element is designed as a window, and the second transparency element has a beam-directing effect, wherein the second transparency element is designed in particular as a lens. In yet another embodiment, the second transparency element is designed as a window, and the first transparency element has a beam-directing effect, wherein the first transparency element is designed in particular as a lens. In yet another embodiment, the first transparency element and the second transparency element each have a beam-directing effect, in particular, both transparency elements are designed as lenses.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first transparency element and the second transparency element are optically transparent for the same target wavelength range or at least for partially overlapping target wavelength ranges. In another embodiment, the first transparency element and the second transparency element are optically transparent in the visible wavelength range of the electromagnetic spectrum (visible to the human eye), that is, in particular, in a wavelength range from 400 nm to 800 nm.

[0013] In one embodiment, the second, inner transparent element is inserted into the wall recess from the main flow chamber. This second transparent element has a chamfer—particularly a circumferential chamfer—on its outer edge, which, when assembled, faces away from the main flow chamber. This chamfer abuts a mating chamfer of the wall recess. In this way, the second transparent element is held particularly securely and stably in the wall recess. In another embodiment, the second transparent element is glued into the wall recess, with the chamfer being bonded to the mating chamfer. Alternatively or additionally, the first transparent element is preferably inserted into the wall recess from a side facing away from the main flow chamber and abuts a sealing element, particularly an O-ring, arranged on a bearing surface within the wall recess.The first transparent element is optionally pressed against the wall and into the wall recess by means of a mounting flange attached to the wall, in particular screwed to the wall, thereby compressing the sealing element between the first transparent element and the bearing surface. A flat gasket is optionally arranged between the mounting flange and the first transparent element.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first and second transparency elements have a distance from each other – measured transversely, particularly vertically, across the flow channel section – of 1 mm to 20 mm, particularly 3 mm to 10 mm. Advantageously, this results in a small volume of the flow channel, which also reduces the pressure energy (E = pV) stored therein.

[0015] According to a further development of the invention, the inlet channel section has a throttling element. Advantageously, this ensures that downstream of the throttled inlet channel section, i.e., particularly in the through-channel section, a reduced pressure prevails compared to a point upstream of the inlet channel section when a gas flow passes through the flow channel from the inlet channel section to the outflow channel section.

[0016] In the context of this technical teaching, the phrase "a first element is arranged downstream" of a second element" means that the first element is arranged along a predetermined flow direction downstream of the second element. An imaginary volume element of a flow moving along the flow direction thus first reaches the second element and then the first element. Similarly, in the context of this technical teaching, the phrase "a first element is arranged upstream" of a second element means that the first element is arranged along a predetermined flow direction upstream of the second element. The imaginary volume element moving along the flow direction then reaches the first element first and then the second element.Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the inlet channel section is designed, at least in part, as a throttling element. This represents a particularly simple design that ensures a reduced pressure in the through-channel section.

[0017] By incorporating the throttling element into the inlet channel section, or by designing it at least partially as a throttling element, a throttling effect is provided within the inlet channel section. This throttling effect is preferably designed to achieve at least one objective, selected from a specific sensitivity of the damage detection described in more detail below, a specific volume flow rate through the flow channel, and a combination of these objectives. The throttling element can also additionally function as a particle filter.

[0018] According to a further development of the invention, a first flow cross-section in the inlet channel section is at least partially smaller than a second flow cross-section in the through channel section. In particular, this allows a throttling effect to be achieved very simply and cost-effectively for the inlet channel section. Specifically, the inlet channel section itself is designed as a throttling element.

[0019] In one embodiment, the inlet channel section is designed as a capillary. In particular, the inlet channel section preferably has an inner cross-sectional dimension, or in other words, a clear cross-sectional dimension, especially a diameter, of 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the through-channel section has an inner cross-sectional dimension, especially a diameter, of more than 1.5 mm – optionally along its entire length. Optionally, the outflow channel section can have an even larger inner cross-sectional dimension, especially an even larger diameter, than the through-channel section. However, it is also possible that the outflow channel section has, at least in some areas, a smaller or the same inner cross-sectional dimension as the through-channel section.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first flow cross-section is smaller than a third flow cross-section in the outflow channel section, particularly along the entire extent of the outflow channel section. Specifically, the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the inflow channel section is smaller than the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the outflow channel section, particularly along the entire extent of the outflow channel section.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, in addition to the first flow cross-section being smaller than the second flow cross-section, one embodiment provides that the inlet channel section has at least one flow deflection. This also advantageously creates a throttling effect for the inlet channel section. In particular, in this case as well, the inlet channel section itself is designed as a throttling element.

[0022] In one embodiment, the inlet channel section features multiple flow deflections. This allows for a particularly effective throttling effect.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, in addition to the first flow cross-section being at least partially smaller than the second flow cross-section and / or the inlet channel section having at least one flow deflection, one embodiment provides that at least one insert element, selected from a group consisting of a porous body, a multi-channel body, a deflection element, a silencer, and a combination of at least two of these insert elements, is arranged in the inlet channel section. In this way, a very good and flexibly adjustable throttling effect and optional sound attenuation can be provided for the inlet channel section. In this case, the inlet channel section includes the throttling element; in particular, the insert element is the throttling element. The porous body and / or the at least one flow deflection can also advantageously have a sound-absorbing effect.

[0024] In the context of this technical teaching, a porous body is understood to be, in particular, a porous body or a body with pores. In the context of this technical teaching, a multichannel body is understood to be, in particular, a body permeated by a plurality of channels, wherein the channels can permeate the body along straight paths or along paths that are at least partially curved or winding. The porous body or the multichannel body can, in particular, be designed as a sintered body, for example, made of polyglass or sintered metal. According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that at least one valve channel section, selected from the inlet channel section and the outlet channel section, is assigned a valve device. Advantageously, the at least one valve channel section can thus be closed as required by means of the valve device – in particular towards the through-channel section.In particular, in one embodiment, at least one valve channel section can be sealed against the through-channel section by means of the valve device as required. In one embodiment, the valve device is arranged in or on the valve channel section.

[0025] In one embodiment, the valve device is assigned to the outflow channel section.

[0026] According to a further development of the invention, the valve device is designed as a check valve. The check valve is specifically designed to prevent inflow or backflow into the valve channel section and / or the through-channel section when the check valve is closed. In one embodiment, the valve device is open when the pressure in the through-channel section is higher than the pressure outside the through-channel section, beyond the valve device, particularly in the valve channel section itself. The valve device is closed when the pressure in the through-channel section is lower than the pressure outside the through-channel section, beyond the valve device, particularly in the valve channel section itself. This advantageously prevents backflow into the through-channel section.If the valve device, designed as a check valve, is arranged in the outflow channel section, this advantageously results in the event of a breakage of the first transparency element: any flow directed towards the environment can only occur via the throttled inflow channel section, while the unthrottled outflow channel section is blocked from the flow-through channel section by the check valve. This also advantageously reduces the flow energy released into the environment, and in particular prevents the formation of a sharp, outward-directed jet or an intense pressure wave, especially a sound wave, which could endanger persons in the vicinity.

[0027] In one embodiment, the valve device is designed as a reed valve with an outlet opening, in particular an outlet bore, and a valve reed arranged downstream of the outlet opening. This advantageously represents a design of the valve device that is both simple and functional. In one embodiment, the flow exits the through-channel section as intended through the outlet opening into the valve channel section. In this case, the reed valve is forced in the opening direction when the pressure in the through-channel section is greater than in a region downstream of the outlet opening, that is, beyond the reed valve, namely in the valve channel section. The reed valve is forced in the closing direction and thus closed when the pressure beyond the reed valve, in the valve channel section, is greater than within the through-channel section.Thus, the tongue valve advantageously and simply prevents backflow into the through-channel section.

[0028] In one embodiment, the outlet opening leads into a valve chamber in which the reed valve is arranged. Within the valve chamber, the outlet opening is surrounded, in particular, by a stop surface against which the valve reed rests when the reed valve is forced in the closing direction and thus against the stop surface. In one embodiment, a seal encompassing the outlet opening is arranged in the stop surface, for example, in an annular groove, against which the valve reed is forced in the closing direction. The seal can, in particular, be designed as an O-ring.

[0029] In one embodiment, the valve tongue is designed as a spring sheet.

[0030] According to a further development of the invention, a first pressure sensor is arranged in the through-channel section to detect pressure within that section. Advantageously, the first pressure sensor allows monitoring of the pressure in the through-channel section and thus indirectly also monitoring of the functionality or integrity of the through-channel arrangement.

[0031] According to a further development of the invention, the pressure chamber is provided to have exactly one through-beam arrangement. Advantageously, in this case, the pressure chamber is designed to be particularly simple.

[0032] In one embodiment, the pressure chamber has a reflector device, particularly along a transmission direction through the pressure chamber opposite the transmission arrangement. Advantageously, in this case, the pressure chamber allows a particularly compact beam path for a laser beam guided through the pressure chamber, which can enter through the transparent elements of the transmission arrangement, optionally interact with optically active elements arranged in the pressure chamber, be reflected by the reflector device, and—optionally after further interaction with the optically active elements—exit the pressure chamber again through the same transmission arrangement. The beam path is particularly simple if the transmission arrangement and the reflector device are opposite each other along the transmission direction.However, it is also possible that the laser beam is deflected in the pressure chamber so that it can be reflected by the reflector device, even if this is not exactly opposite or at an angle other than 180° to the transmission arrangement.

[0033] Alternatively, the pressure chamber is provided with two beam-through arrangements, positioned opposite each other, particularly along the direction of transmission. This configuration advantageously allows for a particularly simple beam path for the laser beam guided through the pressure chamber. The beam enters the pressure chamber through a first beam-through arrangement, optionally interacts with optically active elements located within the pressure chamber, and exits the pressure chamber through a second beam-through arrangement. The beam path is especially simple when the two beam-through arrangements are positioned opposite each other along the direction of transmission.However, it is also possible that the laser beam is deflected in the pressure chamber so that it can exit through the second transmission arrangement, even if this is not exactly opposite or at an angle other than 180° to the first transmission arrangement.

[0034] In one embodiment, the two transmission arrangements are the same, in particular identically designed.

[0035] According to a further development of the invention, the inlet channel section of the at least one through-jet arrangement opens into the inlet section of the flow chamber. Advantageously, a portion of the media flowing through the main flow chamber can be diverted and routed through the flow channel. The through-jet arrangement is thus flushed directly by the media flow in a particularly simple manner. Alternatively, the inlet channel section can open into a media supply connection located outside the pressure chamber and be flushed with a medium from outside the pressure chamber, for example, from a gas cylinder or a pressure line. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet channel section of the at least one through-jet arrangement opens into the outlet section of the flow chamber.Advantageously, in this way the medium flowing through the flow channel can be discharged together with the medium flowing through the main flow chamber via the flow chamber's outflow section. Alternatively, the outflow channel section can lead to a media drain connection located outside the pressure chamber, where the medium can be discharged in a controlled manner or released into the environment.

[0036] According to a further development of the invention, a second pressure sensor is arranged in the flow chamber inlet section for measuring the pressure in the flow chamber inlet section. Advantageously, the pressure in the flow chamber inlet section can be monitored with the second pressure sensor, thereby allowing the functionality and integrity of the pressure chamber itself to be monitored, and—particularly in combination with the first pressure sensor—also the functionality and integrity of the through-flow arrangement.

[0037] According to a further development of the invention, an optically active plate arrangement, in particular a plate amplifier and / or a frequency conversion plate arrangement, is provided in the pressure chamber. Advantageously, the pressure chamber can thus be configured as an amplifier chamber of an optical plate amplifier and / or as a conversion chamber for frequency conversion. Particularly in connection with an optically active plate arrangement, the aforementioned advantages arise due to the high pressures and high flow velocities of the medium flowing through it to cool the plate arrangement that prevail in such chambers. With the transmission arrangement proposed here, both persons located in the area of ​​the pressure chamber and the optically active plate arrangement itself are advantageously protected from damage in the event of breakage of a transparency element.

[0038] The optically active plate arrangement is arranged and aligned in one embodiment along the direction of transmission or along a predetermined beam path - in particular between one transmission arrangement and the reflector device, or between the first transmission arrangement and the second transmission arrangement.

[0039] In one embodiment, the at least one transmission arrangement, the optically active plate arrangement and optionally the reflector device are arranged and aligned relative to each other in such a way that both a pump beam and a laser beam to be amplified, or a laser beam to be converted, can be guided through the at least one transmission arrangement and interact with the optically active plate arrangement as intended.

[0040] The problem is also solved by providing a method for operating a pressure chamber according to the invention or a pressure chamber according to one or more of the embodiments described above, wherein the pressure chamber has a first pressure sensor arranged in the through-channel section of the at least one transmission arrangement, and wherein a first sensor signal of the first pressure sensor is monitored for damage to the at least one transmission arrangement. Advantageously, this makes it possible to detect damage to the transmission arrangement in a simple and safe manner and, optionally, to initiate suitable measures to avert danger to persons and / or to the device containing the pressure chamber itself. In connection with the method, the advantages also arise, in particular, of those advantages that have already been explained in connection with the pressure chamber.

[0041] In one embodiment, damage to the first transparency element is detected when the first sensor signal indicates a pressure drop in the through-channel section. In this case, due to the damage to the first transparency element, a flow-related connection exists between the flow channel and the external environment of the pressure chamber via the first transparency element, causing the pressure to drop in the through-channel section.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, damage to the second transparency element is detected if the first sensor signal indicates a pressure increase in the through-channel section. In this case, due to the damage to the second transparency element, a flow connection exists between the main flow chamber and the flow channel – possibly bypassing the inlet channel section – via the second transparency element, causing the pressure in the through-channel section to rise. This is because, due to the throttling effect of the inlet channel section, the pressure in the through-channel section would otherwise be lower than in the main flow chamber if the second transparency element were undamaged.

[0043] According to a further development of the invention, the pressure chamber also includes a second pressure sensor arranged in the flow chamber inlet section, and a second sensor signal from the second pressure sensor is monitored. By comparing the first sensor signal with the second sensor signal, the transmission arrangement, and in particular at least one of the transparency elements selected from the first and second transparency elements, is monitored for damage. Advantageously, by evaluating and, in particular, comparing both sensor signals, a particularly reliable detection and identification of damage to the transmission arrangement, especially to one of the two transparency elements, can be ensured.

[0044] In particular, if a comparison between the first and second sensor signals indicates that the pressure difference between the pressure in the flow chamber inlet section and the pressure in the through-channel section has decreased in magnitude, it can be concluded that the second transparency element is damaged. In this case, additional medium from the main flow chamber flows through the damaged second transparency element into the through-channel section, causing the pressure in the flow chamber inlet section and the pressure in the through-channel section to equalize.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, if the comparison between the first and second sensor signals indicates that the pressure difference between the pressure in the flow chamber inlet section and the pressure in the through-channel section has increased in magnitude, it can be concluded that the first transparency element is damaged. In this case, medium escapes through the damaged first transparency element into the external environment of the pressure chamber, causing the pressure in the through-channel section to decrease further compared to the pressure in the flow chamber inlet section. In particular, the medium escapes into the environment through the damaged first transparency element faster than it can flow in through the restricted inlet channel section.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally to monitoring by means of the first pressure sensor and optionally the second pressure sensor, it is preferably provided that the at least one transmission arrangement is monitored for damage by means of a sensor laser beam. The sensor laser beam is preferably directed at the transmission arrangement, and reflection, scattering, and / or refraction of the sensor laser beam at the transmission arrangement is monitored by means of a suitable and appropriately arranged laser beam sensor. Damage to the transmission arrangement can then preferably be detected based on a change in the laser beam sensor signal, since this typically leads to a change in the reflection, scattering, or refraction properties of the affected transparency element. Preferably, it can also be determined which of the transparency elements is damaged.The sensor laser beam can, for example, be inserted between main pulses of a pulsed main laser beam that is to be amplified or converted.

[0047] If damage to the transmission arrangement is detected, the main laser beam is preferably switched off or blocked, or alternatively or additionally the pressure in the pressure chamber is reduced, in particular released.

[0048] The problem is also solved by creating a control device configured to carry out a method according to the invention or a method according to one or more of the embodiments described above. In connection with the control device, the advantages that have already been explained in connection with the pressure chamber or the method become particularly apparent.

[0049] The control device is in particular designed to be operatively connected to at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a group consisting of the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, the laser beam sensor, and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned sensors.

[0050] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0051] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a pressure chamber;

[0052] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the pressure chamber with damage to a first transparency element of a transmission arrangement;

[0053] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the pressure chamber with damage to a second transparency element of the transmission arrangement, and

[0054] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a pressure chamber. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a pressure chamber 1 with a first embodiment of at least one transmission arrangement 3.

[0055] The pressure chamber 1 has a main flow chamber 5 arranged within the pressure chamber 1 for a media flow, wherein the main flow chamber 5 has a flow chamber inlet section 7 and a flow chamber outflow section 9. The pressure chamber 1 is configured for at least one inlet pressure of the media flow in the flow chamber inlet section 7 of more than 1 bar absolute. The pressure chamber 1 has at least one through-flow arrangement 3.

[0056] In the first embodiment shown, the pressure chamber 1 has two beam-through arrangements 3 opposite each other along a beam direction through the pressure chamber 1 that is horizontal in the image plane. Specifically, a first beam-through arrangement 3.1, shown on the left, and a second beam-through arrangement 3.2, shown on the right. For the sake of simplicity, only the second beam-through arrangement 3.2 will be described in more detail below and referred to simply as "beam-through arrangement 3". The corresponding design features in the embodiment shown here, and preferably also in general, apply identically to the first beam-through arrangement 3.1. In particular, the two beam-through arrangements 3.1 and 3.2 are preferably designed identically.

[0057] As an alternative to one of the two transmission arrangements 3.1, 3.2, the pressure chamber 1 can have a reflector device not shown, preferably located opposite the transmission direction of the then single transmission arrangement 3.

[0058] The transmission arrangement 3 has a wall 11 with a wall recess 13, wherein a first, outer transparency element 15.1 of two transparency elements 15 and a second, inner transparency element 15.2 of the two transparency elements 15 are arranged in the wall recess 13. A flow channel 17 is also formed in the wall 11, which has a through-channel section 19 between the first transparency element 15.1 and the second transparency element 15.2, and an inflow channel section 21 in the wall 11, as well as an outflow channel section 23 opposite the inflow channel section 21 along the through-channel section 19. Preferably, the pressure chamber 1 is formed along the transmission direction or a predetermined beam path between the first transmission arrangement 3.1 and the second transmission arrangement 3.2 - or, if applicable, the reflector device - an optically active plate arrangement 25 is arranged, in particular an optical plate amplifier or a frequency conversion plate arrangement.

[0059] The pressure chamber 1 is designed for an inlet pressure of at least 20 bar absolute. In particular, it is designed to be permeated by a gas flow, the gas flow having a high velocity, in particular 50 m / s to 100 m / s. The gas flow, entering at high inlet pressure and high velocity, serves in particular to cool the optically active plate arrangement 25. In one embodiment, the gas flow comprises a noble gas, in particular helium, or the gas flow consists entirely of a noble gas, in particular helium.

[0060] The first transparency element 15.1 and the second transparency element 15.2 preferably have a distance to each other, measured in particular perpendicular to the passage channel section 19, which is 1 mm to 20 mm, in particular 3 mm to 10 mm.

[0061] The inlet channel section 21 preferably has a throttle element 27 or is itself at least partially configured as the throttle element 27. Advantageously, this ensures that downstream of the throttled inlet channel section 21, i.e., particularly in the through-channel section 19, a reduced pressure prevails compared to a point upstream of the inlet channel section 21 when a gas flow passes through the flow channel 17 from the inlet channel section 21 to the outflow channel section 23.

[0062] In the embodiment shown here, the inlet channel section 21 is designed at least partially as a capillary, and at the same time a porous body 29 is arranged in the inlet channel section 21 as an insert element 30. The inlet channel section 21 therefore has both the throttling element 27 in the form of the porous body 29, and it is itself also designed at least partially as the throttling element 27 – namely as a capillary.

[0063] In particular, a first flow cross-section in the inlet channel section 21 is preferably smaller, at least in some areas, than a second flow cross-section in the through channel section 19. The first flow cross-section is also preferably smaller than a third flow cross-section in the outflow channel section 23.

[0064] The inlet channel section 21 also has at least one – in this case, exactly one – flow deflection 31. This also results in a throttling effect for the inlet channel section 21.

[0065] The insert element 30 can also be a multi-channel body, a deflection element, a silencer, or a combination of at least two of these insert elements 30 and the porous body 29 arranged in the inlet channel section 21.

[0066] Preferably, at least one valve channel section, selected from the inlet channel section 21 and the outlet channel section 23, is assigned a valve device 33. Here, the valve device 33 is assigned to the outlet channel section 23 and, in particular, is arranged on the outlet channel section 23.

[0067] Preferably, the valve device 33 is designed as a check valve, specifically as a reed valve with an outlet opening 35 and a valve reed 37, preferably designed as a spring plate, arranged downstream of the outlet opening 35. The outlet opening 35 opens into a valve chamber 39 as part of the outflow channel section 23, with the reed valve being arranged in the valve chamber 39. In the valve chamber 39, the outlet opening 35 is preferably surrounded by a stop surface 41 against which the valve reed 37 rests when the reed valve is forced in the closing direction and thus against the stop surface 37. A seal 43, which encompasses the outlet opening 35, is preferably arranged in the stop surface 41 – for example, in an annular groove – against which the valve reed 37 is forced in the closing direction. The seal 43 is preferably designed as an O-ring.

[0068] The valve device 33 is particularly open when the pressure in the through-channel section 19 is higher than in the valve chamber 39, and the valve device 33 is closed when the pressure in the through-channel section 19 is lower than in the valve chamber 39.

[0069] The valve device 33 also has the advantage that it is actuated in the opening direction, and in particular is opened even further when a negative pressure is applied in the area of ​​the outflow channel section 23, for example to initially evacuate the flow channel 17 and / or to fill it with protective gas or cooling gas.

[0070] Preferably, a first pressure sensor 45 is arranged in the through-channel section 19 for detecting pressure in the through-channel section 19. Preferably, a second pressure sensor 47 is also arranged in the flow chamber inlet section 7 for measuring pressure in the flow chamber inlet section 7. A control device 49 is preferably operatively connected to the first pressure sensor 45 and to the second pressure sensor 47 in a manner not explicitly shown here and configured to carry out a method described in more detail below.

[0071] In the embodiment shown here, the inlet channel section 21 opens into the flow chamber inlet section 7, so that a portion of the media flowing through the main flow chamber 5 is diverted and guided through the flow channel 17. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet channel section 23 opens into the flow chamber outlet section 9. In this way, the medium flowing through the flow channel 17 is discharged together with the media flowing through the main flow chamber 5 via the flow chamber outlet section 9.

[0072] As part of a method for operating the pressure chamber 1, carried out in particular by the control device 49, a first sensor signal from the first pressure sensor 45 is monitored for damage to the transmission arrangement 3. For the sake of completeness, it should be expressly mentioned that this applies in particular to both transmission arrangements 3.1 and 3.2 separately – with their respective first pressure sensors 45. Optionally, a second sensor signal from the second pressure sensor 47 can also be monitored, whereby the transmission arrangement 3 is monitored for damage by comparing the first and second sensor signals. This also applies, of course, to both transmission arrangements 3.1 and 3.2 separately, whereby the same second pressure sensor 47 can be used for monitoring both transmission arrangements 3.1 and 3.2.

[0073] Alternatively or additionally to monitoring by means of the first pressure sensor 45 and optionally the second pressure sensor 47, the transmission arrangement 3 can also be monitored for damage by means of a sensor laser beam (not shown). The sensor laser beam is preferably directed at the transmission arrangement 3, and reflection, scattering, and / or refraction of the sensor laser beam at the transmission arrangement 3 is monitored by means of a suitable and appropriately arranged laser beam sensor (also not shown). For this purpose, the laser beam sensor is preferably operatively connected to the control device 49. Damage to the transmission arrangement 3 can then preferably be detected based on a change in the laser beam sensor signal, since this typically leads to a change in the reflection, scattering, or refraction properties of the affected transparency element 15.Preferably, it can also be determined which of the transparency elements 15.1, 15.2 is damaged.

[0074] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the pressure chamber 1 with damage to the first, outer transparency element 15.1 of the second transmission arrangement 3.2.

[0075] Identical and functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures, so that reference is made to the preceding description in each case.

[0076] If the first transparency element 15.1 is damaged, a first flow-related connection 51, shown schematically here, is created between the through-channel section 19 and an external environment 53 of the pressure chamber 1. Thus, the pressure in the through-channel section 19 drops, whereby, on the one hand, the outflow channel section 23 is blocked by the valve device 33 towards the through-channel section 19, and on the other hand, the inflow of medium via the inflow channel section 31 is prevented by the throttling element 27.

[0077] Consequently, the first pressure sensor 45 detects a reduced pressure, and the pressure difference measurable between the second pressure sensor 47 and the first pressure sensor 45 increases.

[0078] Therefore, damage to the first transparency element 15.1 can be detected if the first sensor signal indicates a pressure drop in the through-channel section 19, and / or if a comparison between the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal indicates that the pressure difference between the pressure in the flow chamber inflow section 7 and the pressure in the through-channel section 19 has increased in magnitude.

[0079] The through-flow arrangement 3 reduces the danger to persons in the vicinity 53 in two ways in particular: Firstly, the pressure in the through-flow channel section 19 is reduced compared to the pressure in the main flow chamber 5 due to the throttling effect of the inflow channel section 21, so that the pressure energy (E = pV) stored there is also reduced; secondly, a media jet or a pressure or sound wave exiting through the first flow-related connection 51 has a significantly reduced intensity, kinetic energy or flow energy due to the throttling effect of the inflow channel section 21 and the blockage of the outflow channel section 23 by the valve device 33.

[0080] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the pressure chamber 1 with damage to the second transparency element 15.2 of the second transmission arrangement 3.2.

[0081] If the second transparency element 15.2 is damaged, a second flow connection 55, shown schematically here, is created between the through-channel section 19 and the main flow chamber 5. Thus, due to this direct flow connection, the pressure in the through-channel section 19, which was previously reduced due to the throttling effect of the inlet channel section 21 compared to the pressure in the flow chamber inlet section 7, increases. The pressure in the main flow chamber 5 is essentially the same or at most only insignificantly lower than in the flow chamber inlet section 7, since no flow-impeding elements relevant in this respect, and in particular no flow-impeding elements comparable to the throttling effect of the inlet channel section 21, are arranged between these sections.

[0082] Accordingly, if the second transparency element 15.2 is damaged, the first pressure sensor 45 detects an increased pressure, and the pressure difference measurable between the second pressure sensor 47 and the first pressure sensor 45 decreases.

[0083] Therefore, damage to the second transparency element 15.2 can be detected if the first sensor signal indicates a pressure increase in the through-channel section 19, and / or if a comparison between the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal indicates that the pressure difference between the pressure in the flow chamber inflow section 7 and the pressure in the through-channel section 19 has decreased in magnitude.

[0084] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the pressure chamber 1. Here, only a highly reduced, schematic representation of the pressure chamber 1 is shown, in particular omitting the optically active plate arrangement 25, the inlet channel section 21, the outlet channel section 23 and other elements.

[0085] The main purpose here is to demonstrate that the second, inner transparency element 15.2 can be inserted into the wall recess 13 from the main flow chamber 5, wherein it has a preferably circumferential chamfer 59 on an outer edge 57 which, in the assembled state, faces away from the main flow chamber 5 and which abuts a counter chamfer 61 of the wall recess 13. The second transparency element 15.2 can, in particular, be glued into the wall recess 13, with the chamfer 59 being bonded to the counter chamfer 61.

[0086] The first, outer transparent element 15.1 is preferably inserted into the wall recess 13 from the outside, facing away from the main flow chamber 5, and preferably rests against a sealing element 65, in particular an O-ring, arranged on a bearing surface 63 in the wall recess 13. The first transparent element 15.1 is optionally pressed against the wall 11 and into the wall recess 13 by means of a mounting flange 67 attached to the wall 11, in particular screwed to the wall 11, thereby compressing the sealing element 65 between the first transparent element 15.1 and the bearing surface 63. A flat gasket 69 can be arranged between the mounting flange 67 and the first transparent element 15.1.

Claims

1. REQUIREMENTS 1. Pressure chamber (1) with a main flow chamber (5) arranged in the pressure chamber (1) for a media flow, wherein the main flow chamber (5) has a flow chamber inlet section (7) and a flow chamber outflow section (9), wherein the pressure chamber (1) is configured for at least an inlet pressure of the media flow in the flow chamber inlet section (7) of more than 1 bar absolute, wherein the pressure chamber (1) has at least one through-flow arrangement (3) which has a wall (11) with a wall recess (13), wherein a first transparency element (15.1) and a second transparency element (15.2) are arranged in the wall recess (13), wherein a flow channel (17) is formed in the wall (11) which is between the first transparency element (15.1) and the second transparency element (15.2).1) has a through channel section (19) and in the wall (11) an inflow channel section (21) and an outflow channel section (23) opposite the inflow channel section (21) along the through channel section (19).

2. Pressure chamber (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet channel section (21) has a throttling element (27) and / or is designed at least partially as a throttling element (27).

3. Pressure chamber (1) according to claim 2, wherein a first flow cross-section in the inlet channel section (21) is at least partially smaller than a second flow cross-section in the through channel section (19), and optionally smaller than a third flow cross-section in the outflow channel section (23), and / or wherein the inlet channel section (21) has at least one flow deflection (31), optionally a plurality of flow deflections (31), and / or wherein - in the inlet channel section (21) at least one insert element (30) selected from a group consisting of a porous body (29), a multi-channel body, a deflection element, a silencer, and a combination of at least two of these insert elements (30) is arranged.

4. Pressure chamber (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one valve channel section, selected from the inlet channel section (21) and the outlet channel section (23), a valve device (33) is assigned, wherein preferably the valve device (33) is assigned to the outflow channel section (23).

5. Pressure chamber (1) according to claim 4, wherein the valve device (33) is designed as a check valve, in particular as a tongue valve with an outlet opening (35) and a valve tongue (37) arranged downstream of the outlet opening (35).

6. Pressure chamber (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first pressure sensor (45) for detecting a pressure in the through-channel section (19) is arranged in the through-channel section (19).

7. Pressure chamber (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure chamber (1) - exactly one transmission arrangement (3), and optionally a reflector device, or - comprising two - preferably opposite each other along the direction of transmission - transmission arrangements (3).

8. Pressure chamber (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet channel section (21) opens into the flow chamber inlet section (7), and / or wherein the outflow channel section (23) opens into the flow chamber outflow section (9).

9. Pressure chamber (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second pressure sensor (47) is arranged in the flow chamber inflow section (7) for measuring a pressure in the flow chamber inflow section (7).

10. Pressure chamber (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an optically active plate arrangement (25) is arranged in the pressure chamber (1).

11. Method for operating a pressure chamber (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the first pressure sensor (45) arranged in the through-channel section (19), wherein a first sensor signal of the first pressure sensor (45) is monitored for damage to the at least one through-beam arrangement (3), wherein in particular Damage to the first transparency element (15.1) is detected when the first sensor signal indicates a pressure drop in the through-channel section (19), and / or damage to the second transparency element (15.2) is detected when the first sensor signal indicates a pressure increase in the through-channel section (19).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the pressure chamber (1) further comprises the second pressure sensor (47) arranged in the flow chamber inflow section (7), wherein a second sensor signal of the second pressure sensor (47) is additionally monitored, wherein the transmission arrangement (3) is monitored for damage by comparing the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

13. Control device (49) configured to carry out a method according to one of claims 11 or 12.

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