Fiber Laser Failure Detection via Power Ratio Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power fiber laser apparatuses face challenges in detecting failures such as fiber breakage across a wide range, requiring numerous imaging means, leading to increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A fiber laser apparatus with a combination of output laser beam power detection parts and a combined laser beam power detection part, where the total power is calculated and compared to detect failures by determining the ratio of the combined beam power to the total power, allowing for inexpensive detection across a wide range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If imaging means (photodetector) are provided for each of portions where any failure is likely to occur, then failure detection capability is improved, but the cost of the apparatus is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the imaging means detect both leakage light from fusion splicing portions and scattered light from fiber breakages anywhere in the optical fiber. Instead of providing separate detection systems for different failure modes, a single imaging means with appropriate light-receiving elements detects all failure types, reducing the number of components while maintaining comprehensive detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses scattered light as an intermediary to detect fiber breakages. When a fiber breaks, light scatters at the breakage point and a portion of this scattered light reaches the imaging means. This intermediary approach allows detection of breakages anywhere along the fiber without requiring direct line-of-sight or specialized sensors at each potential breakage point
2Reliability
If a large number of imaging means are required to detect failures across a wide range, then failure detection coverage is improved, but the apparatus complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light detection function into multiple light-receiving elements within a single imaging means. Each light-receiving element can detect light from different spatial directions or regions, allowing the system to cover a wide detection range while maintaining a compact, integrated structure rather than using multiple separate imaging means
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single imaging means. By combining multiple light-receiving elements that can detect light from different directions and positions into one integrated device, the system achieves wide-area coverage without the complexity and cost of multiple separate detection systems
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
Enables cost-effective detection of failures within a wide range by reducing the need for multiple detection parts, thereby lowering the apparatus's cost and effectively identifying fiber breakages between detection points.
Implementation Method 1
an amplifying optical fiber (112) operable to amplify a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a pumping light source (114A) operable to supply pumping light to the amplifying optical fiber (112)
Implementation Method 3
an optical cavity (119) operable to oscillate the laser beam
Implementation Method 4
a combiner (120) operable to optically combine output laser beams outputted from the plurality of fiber laser units (110) to generate a combined laser beam
Implementation Method 5
detecting, with imaging means (photodetector), a laser beam leaking out of a fusion splicing portion
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a fiber laser apparatus capable of detecting a failure of an optical fiber within a wide range of the apparatus with an inexpensive configuration. The fiber laser apparatus 100 has a plurality of fiber laser units 110, a combiner 120 operable to optically combine output laser beams outputted from the fiber laser unit 110 to generate a combined laser beam, a laser emission portion 130 operable to emit the combined laser beam, output laser beam power detection parts 170 operable to detect a power of an output laser beam of each of the fiber laser units 110, a combined laser beam power detection part 140 operable to detect a power of the combined laser beam, and a failure detection part 160 operable to compare the total of detected powers of the output laser beams (total laser beam power) with the detected power of the combined laser beam and determine that a failure has occurred in the fiber laser unit 110 when a ratio of the power of the combined laser beam to the total laser beam power becomes lower than a predetermined threshold T.