Gas Laser Oscillator Discharge Control for Electric Shutter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gas laser oscillators face challenges in maintaining auxiliary discharge when cold and achieving an electric shutter when warm, leading to processing defects and increased costs due to asynchronous commands and separate power sources for main and auxiliary electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A gas laser oscillator design where the base discharge command is set to a first value when the mechanical shutter is closed and a second value when opened, with the first value between main and auxiliary discharge extinction levels, and the second value between main and auxiliary discharge levels, ensuring auxiliary discharge maintenance and electric shutter functionality without the need for synchronization circuits or separate power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the base discharge command is set to maintain auxiliary discharge when cold, then auxiliary discharge is maintained, but when warm the main discharge cannot be extinguished for electric shutter operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauxiliary discharge maintenanceVSAvoidelectric shutter functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base discharge command value is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control device changes the base discharge command to a first value when the mechanical shutter is closed (cold state) to maintain auxiliary discharge, and changes it to a second value when the mechanical shutter is opened (warm state) to enable main discharge extinction and electric shutter operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of the base discharge command value based on the operational state. By detecting whether the mechanical shutter is opened or closed, the control device adjusts the base discharge command between two distinct values, allowing the system to adapt to temperature changes and maintain proper discharge behavior in both cold and warm states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If separate power sources are used for main and auxiliary electrodes, then discharge control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge controlVSAvoidpower source configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the power source configuration by using a single power source for both main and auxiliary electrodes. The control device achieves separate control of main and auxiliary discharges by dynamically adjusting the base discharge command value based on the mechanical shutter state, eliminating the need for separate power sources while maintaining proper discharge control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If mechanical shutter speed is slow, then processing defects are prevented, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing qualityVSAvoidshutter operation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an electric shutter mechanism that uses electrical control to rapidly adjust the base discharge command, replacing or supplementing the mechanical shutter's slow physical movement. The electric shutter can quickly change the discharge state to prevent processing defects, achieving both high speed and processing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device performs preliminary action by detecting the mechanical shutter state and proactively adjusting the base discharge command value before processing defects can occur. This anticipatory control allows the system to prepare for temperature changes and maintain proper discharge levels without waiting for the mechanical shutter to complete its slow movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for reliable maintenance of auxiliary discharge when cold and effective electric shutter operation when warm, reducing processing defects and costs by eliminating the need for synchronization circuits and separate power sources for auxiliary electrodes.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of auxiliary electrodes which are arranged adjoining the plurality of main discharge electrodes and make auxiliary discharge start in the laser gas in a state lower than the output at which main discharge starts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas discharge: Townsend Discharge

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of main discharge electrodes which are arranged corresponding to the plurality of discharge tubes and make main discharge start for discharge excitation of the laser gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas discharge: Townsend Discharge

Implementation Method 3

Gas laser oscillator which controls the adjusted level of a laser power supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser oscillation: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS9246297B2Gas laser oscillator controlling adjusted level of laser power supply

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A gas laser oscillator including discharge tubes, main discharge electrodes, auxiliary electrodes, an output mirror which outputs a laser, and a mechanical shutter which cuts off the laser output from the output mirror. To maintain the auxiliary discharge in the state where the laser output is zero, the base discharge command is set to a first command value when the mechanical shutter is closed, and is set to a second command value smaller than the first command value when the mechanical shutter is opened.