Low SWAP Laser Diode Pump Module with Fluid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-power fiber laser systems are hindered by excessive size, weight, and power consumption, particularly in mobile applications, where efficient thermal management is needed to optimize size, weight, and power (SWAP) metrics beyond price and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The development of low size, weight, and power (SWAP) efficient laser diode pump modules and high-power fiber amplifiers, featuring a plurality of spaced-apart heatsinks with fluid coolant flow channels that allow for optimized coolant mass flow rate, pressure drop, and steady-state temperature, enabling efficient heat dissipation and reduced system volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional high-powered diode pumps use copper chilling plates for cooling, then heat dissipation is effective, but system weight and volume increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cooling parameter from solid copper chilling plates to liquid coolant flow through channels, achieving effective heat dissipation with reduced weight. The liquid coolant system allows for more efficient heat transfer per unit weight compared to solid copper plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a hydraulic cooling system using liquid coolant flowing through channels in the diode pump housing. This hydraulic approach replaces the traditional solid copper chilling plates, providing effective cooling while significantly reducing system weight.
2Power
If industrial diode lasers are designed for high power output, then brightness is improved, but size and weight exceed mobile application requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cooling medium from solid to liquid, fundamentally altering the thermal management parameters. This allows high power output to be maintained while the cooling system weight is dramatically reduced, enabling mobile deployment of high-power laser systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction combining the diode pump housing with integrated coolant channels, creating a lightweight yet effective cooling system that maintains high power capability while reducing overall system weight for mobile applications.
3Reliability
If conventional laser systems prioritize price-per-bright-watts and reliability, then performance is stable, but SWAP efficiency is insufficient for mobile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cooling system provides reliable heat removal essential for continuous operation, while the liquid coolant's high specific heat capacity ensures stable thermal management. This maintains system reliability while achieving the weight reduction needed for mobile applications.
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 significantly reduces the size, weight, and power consumption of laser diode pump modules and fiber amplifiers, enhancing their efficiency and reliability while maintaining performance, making them suitable for mobile and high-energy applications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality M of fluid coolant flow channels for conducting a coolant from an inlet of the carrier, through the carrier, to an outlet of the carrier
Implementation Method 2
each of the channels is configured to conduct the coolant past a predetermined number N of the heatsinks in series
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are Low Size Weight and Power efficient Laser Diode pump modules and High Power Fiber Amplifiers incorporating such pump modules for amplifying laser light produced by a seed laser. The pump modules are configured for forced fluid cooling, and are provided with cooling channels that allow for varying combinations of a coolant mass flow rate F of the coolant, a pressure drop P of the coolant, and a steady state temperature T of the laser diodes in the pump modules, uniquely and significantly, and thereby allowing for optimizing such variables for a particular application.