Fiber Laser Ferrule and Housing for Compact Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber laser apparatuses face challenges in achieving a small, compact design due to heat accumulation issues when shortening the length of the gain fiber, which limits their downsizing potential and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of ferrules and housing materials with high thermal conductivity (such as metals) and thermal expansion coefficients matching those of the fiber, to reduce heat accumulation and stress on the fiber ends, allowing for effective heat dissipation and preventing damage from thermal expansion differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the gain fiber length is shortened to achieve compact apparatus size, then the apparatus volume is reduced, but heat accumulation in the fiber increases causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A heat dissipation member is introduced as an intermediary component between the gain fiber and the housing. This member has high thermal conductivity and is in thermal contact with the gain fiber, serving as a heat transfer mediator that conducts heat away from the fiber without requiring the fiber to be in direct contact with the housing or cooling fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductivity parameter of the heat dissipation member is optimized to be higher than conventional materials. By changing the material parameter (using materials with superior thermal conductivity), the heat dissipation capability is enhanced, allowing the fiber to operate at higher powers without damage even in a compact configuration
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials (zirconia ferrules, aluminum housing) are used, then manufacturing is easy, but thermal conductivity is insufficient leading to heat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a composite structure combining different materials with complementary properties: the heat dissipation member is made from materials with high thermal conductivity (such as copper, aluminum, or their alloys), while the ferrules may use conventional ceramics like zirconia. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining ease of manufacture
3Volume of moving object
If fiber length is reduced for compact design, then apparatus size decreases, but stress from thermal expansion differences increases causing fiber damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explicitly considers thermal expansion effects by selecting materials for the heat dissipation member and housing whose thermal expansion coefficients are matched to minimize differential expansion. This prevents excessive stress from being applied to the gain fiber during temperature changes, allowing the compact design to operate reliably
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the downsizing of fiber laser apparatuses by minimizing heat accumulation and stress, enhancing thermal conductivity and expansion coefficient matching, thus improving output efficiency and preventing damage from thermal expansion differences.
Implementation Method 1
The use of ferrules and housing materials with high thermal conductivity (such as metals) and thermal expansion coefficients matching those of the fiber, to reduce heat accumulation and stress on the fiber ends
Implementation Method 2
thermal expansion coefficients matching those of the fiber, allowing for effective heat dissipation and preventing damage from thermal expansion differences
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A fiber laser apparatus to use a fiber of short length type to which an active element is added with high concentration, includes a ferrule inserted on an end of the fiber, and a housing to accommodate the fiber and to support the fiber with the ferrule, wherein each of the housing and the ferrule is constituted by a metal material having a thermal expansion coefficient approximate to a thermal expansion coefficient of a raw material of the fiber.