Gas Laser Oscillator Discharge Start Judgment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas laser oscillators, changes in pressure, flow rate, and composition of laser gas can make it difficult to start discharge, leading to excessive current flow and potential damage or alarm stops when increasing power output command values in steps.
Innovation Solution
A gas laser oscillator design that includes a retry processing unit to gradually increase the power output command value, judging discharge start based on voltage changes, and decreasing the command value if excessive current is detected, allowing for a retry operation to facilitate discharge initiation without excessive current flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power output command value is increased in steps to start discharge, then discharge initiation is promoted, but excessive current flows to the laser power supply causing alarm stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power output command value adjustable and variable over time. The system dynamically changes the command value based on detected current levels, transitioning from gradual increase to decrease when excessive current is detected, and then increasing again during retry operations. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between promoting discharge initiation and preventing excessive current damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the output current of the laser power supply and using this information to control the power output command value. When the detected current reaches a predetermined threshold, the system automatically decreases the command value, and when discharge is successfully initiated, it increases the value again. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents excessive current while ensuring reliable discharge startup.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the power output command value is gradually increased to ensure safe operation, then excessive current is prevented, but discharge startup becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through retry operations. When discharge startup fails due to excessive current prevention, the system periodically retries by gradually increasing the power output command value again. This periodic retry mechanism ensures that discharge will eventually start while maintaining safe operation limits, resolving the contradiction between current prevention and startup reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of power output command value based on discharge startup conditions. The system adjusts this parameter from gradual increase to decrease and back to increase during retry operations, optimizing the balance between preventing excessive current and ensuring reliable discharge startup. This parameter adaptation resolves the technical contradiction effectively.
3Reliability
If gas pressure is reduced to facilitate discharge startup, then discharge initiation becomes easier, but system efficiency decreases and operational downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (power output command value) instead of the physical parameter (gas pressure). By adjusting the command value dynamically and performing retry operations, the system achieves reliable discharge startup without reducing gas pressure, thereby maintaining system efficiency and avoiding operational downtime associated with pressure adjustment.
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 ensures easy start-up of discharge in gas laser oscillators, prevents excessive current and alarm stops, and minimizes the need for gas pressure reduction operations, maintaining system efficiency and reducing operational downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage detecting part detecting the discharge tube voltage
Implementation Method 2
a current detecting part detecting an output current of the power supply part
Implementation Method 3
a power supply part supplying a discharge tube voltage corresponding to the power output command to the discharge tube so as to start a discharge in the discharge tube
Data Source
AI summary
A gas laser oscillator, including a power supply part supplying a discharge tube voltage corresponding to a power output command to a discharge tube so as to start a discharge in the discharge tube; a voltage detecting part detecting the discharge tube voltage; a current detecting part detecting an output current of the power supply part; a command voltage control part gradually increasing a power output command value output from the output command part; and a discharge start judgment part judging if the discharge in the discharge tube has started, based on a detected value of the voltage detecting part when gradually increasing the power output command value. The command voltage control part, if the output current becomes a predetermined threshold value or more when gradually increasing the power output command value, decreases the power output command value once, then again gradually increases the power output command value.