Hinged Fiber Laser Packaging for Field Serviceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high power fiber lasers have limited field serviceability, require costly and disruptive replacement of entire systems for localized component failures, and are difficult to upgrade with technological advances due to integrated and inaccessible components, leading to increased costs and reduced flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A modular and scalable fiber laser system design with a hingedly attached cover and cooling plate, removable feed fiber management components, and a fiber management tray that allows for easy access and replacement of critical components, reducing component redundancy and enabling field upgradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fiber laser component systems use integrated designs with all components built into single modules, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but field serviceability deteriorates and component upgradability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber laser system is divided into separate modular components: a pump module housing containing pump diodes and a fiber management tray, and a gain module housing containing the active fiber and splicing components. The feed fiber extends between these separate modules, allowing independent access and replacement of each module without requiring complete system disassembly or specialized clean-room conditions.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional fiber laser systems use dense packaging to achieve small size and weight, then compactness is improved, but field serviceability deteriorates and component access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pump module housing and gain module housing are designed as separable dynamic modules that can be independently removed and reattached. The feed fiber is routed to extend between these modules, allowing the modules to be separated for service access and then reconnected to restore compact operation. This dynamic reconfigurability enables compact packaging while maintaining field serviceability.
3Reliability
If conventional fiber laser systems require replacement of entire systems for localized component failures, then system reliability is maintained, but repair cost increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump diodes are extracted into a separate pump module that can be independently removed from the gain module. When pump diodes fail, only the pump module needs to be replaced rather than the entire fiber laser system. The feed fiber extends between the modules to maintain optical connection, allowing rapid field replacement of just the failed component.
4Device complexity
If conventional fiber laser systems integrate all components into single modules, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to technological advances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent pump module and gain module, each with standardized interfaces through the feed fiber connection. This segmentation allows individual modules to be upgraded independently - for example, replacing pump diodes with newer high-brightness designs or updating active fiber components - without requiring changes to the other module or complete system redesign.
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
The design minimizes repair costs, enhances field serviceability, and allows for easy incorporation of technological advances without significant redesign, reducing the risk of collateral damage and improving system flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling plate disposed adjacent to the panel
Data Source
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AI summary
A fiber laser system comprises a main body, wherein the main body includes one or more fiber laser system components and a first wall hingedly attached to the main body along a first edge, the first wall having a first wall open position and a first wall closed position and a plurality of feed fiber management and splicing components mounted to the first wall. Additionally and/or alternatively, the laser system may comprise a cooling plate hingedly attached to the main body, the cooling plate has a cooling plate open position and a cooling plate closed position. Additionally and/or alternatively, the laser system may include a fiber management tray hingedly mounted to the cooling plate, the fiber management tray having a fiber management tray open position and a fiber management tray closed position.