Laser Oscillator Cooling Control for Deep Water Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laser peening apparatuses in deep water environments face challenges in maintaining the temperature of the laser oscillator at adequate levels due to varying reactor water temperatures, which affects the performance and stability of the laser output, especially when the cooling water supply path is long and not maintained at a constant environmental temperature.
Innovation Solution
A laser irradiation apparatus with an environment isolation container housing the laser oscillator, a light guide section, and a cooling water supplying apparatus, where the temperature and flow rate of the cooling water are controlled using a temperature sensor to maintain the laser oscillator's temperature, ensuring stable operation regardless of water depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling water supply path is extended to reach the laser oscillator in deep water environments, then the laser oscillator can be cooled, but the temperature of the cooling water varies due to the long path and water temperature gradients, affecting laser performance
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature detection unit is installed to detect the temperature of cooling water before it reaches the laser oscillator. Based on this detected temperature, a control unit adjusts the flow rate of cooling water supplied to the laser oscillator, creating a feedback control system that maintains stable laser operation despite temperature variations in the water supply path
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter of cooling water based on the detected temperature. When the cooling water temperature is lower, the flow rate is reduced, and when the temperature is higher, the flow rate is increased, thereby maintaining the laser oscillator temperature within an optimal range for stable laser output
2Power
If a mirror transmission system is used to transmit laser light over long distances, then sufficient pulse energy can be transmitted, but the apparatus size increases and vibration of the light guide path affects performance
Solution Approach 1:
A hollow light guide tube filled with a transparent medium (such as water or other transparent liquid) is used as an intermediary to transmit laser light from the laser oscillator to the irradiation head. This allows long-distance transmission while maintaining compact apparatus size and reducing vibration sensitivity compared to traditional mirror systems
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide tube is filled with a transparent liquid medium that allows laser transmission. This hydraulic approach enables flexible light transmission over long distances within a compact configuration, eliminating the need for large mirror systems and reducing vibration issues associated with rigid light guide paths
3Device complexity
If an optical fiber transmission system is used, then the apparatus size remains compact and vibration influence is minimized, but the energy density of transmitted laser is reduced and optical fiber damage monitoring is required
Solution Approach 1:
A hollow light guide tube filled with transparent medium serves as an intermediary transmission path that maintains higher laser energy density compared to optical fibers while keeping the apparatus compact. The liquid medium in the tube allows efficient laser transmission without the energy loss and damage risks associated with optical fibers
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 solution maintains the laser oscillator's temperature at an adequate level, ensuring stable and consistent laser output even in deep underwater environments with varying temperatures, enhancing the apparatus's performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
cooling water is supplied to cool the laser oscillator
Implementation Method 2
cooling water supplying apparatus that supplies the laser oscillator with cooling water through a cooling water supplying path
Implementation Method 3
temperature sensor to measure a temperature inside the environment isolation container
Data Source
AI summary
A laser irradiation apparatus which is provided with: an environment isolation container, which houses a laser oscillator and is disposed in water; a laser irradiation head, which collects laser beams and irradiates a part to be machined with the laser beams; a light guide section which transmits the laser beams from the laser oscillator to the laser irradiation head; a power supply apparatus which supplies the laser oscillator with power; a cooling water supplying apparatus, which supplies the laser oscillator with cooling water through a cooling water supplying path; and a temperature sensor which measures the temperature inside of the environment isolation container. The temperature and/or the flow quantity of the cooling water to be supplied from the cooling water supplying apparatus is controlled on the basis of the measurement results obtained from the temperature sensor.