Laser Cutting Gas Guide With Concentric Flow for Low Turbulence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas guides in laser cutting machines suffer from turbulence and eddies in the gas flow, which affect cutting quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A gas guide with a pressure chamber and multiple gas conduits arranged concentrically around a central flow axis, optimized for continuous cross-sectional flow, minimizing losses and turbulence, and featuring a concentric equalising channel to combine flows calmly, enhancing the Coanda effect for improved flow guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional gas guides are used, then the structure is simple, but turbulence and eddies occur in the gas flow affecting cutting quality
Solution Approach 1:
The gas guide is divided into multiple functional sections: a pressure chamber receiving gas from multiple inlets, multiple gas conduits extending axially, and individual outlet openings. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The gas flow is divided into separate streams that can be independently controlled and optimized.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the gas guide have different cross-sectional areas optimized for their specific functions. The pressure chamber has a larger cross-section for receiving and equalizing gas from multiple inlets, while the gas conduits have progressively smaller cross-sections that increase gas velocity. The outlet openings are positioned and sized to create a concentrated, high-velocity jet. This local optimization of cross-sectional areas eliminates turbulence while maintaining cutting quality.
2Productivity
If gas flow rate is increased to improve cutting rate, then productivity increases, but turbulence and energy losses worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow is pre-conditioned in the pressure chamber before entering the conduits. The chamber allows gas from multiple inlets to equalize and stabilize, eliminating turbulence and eddies before the gas enters the velocity-increasing conduits. This preliminary stabilization ensures that high flow rates can be achieved without the energy losses associated with turbulent flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas conduits are designed with smooth curved transitions rather than sharp angles. The cross-sectional area of the conduits changes gradually along their length, creating smooth flow transitions that prevent flow separation and turbulence. This curved geometry allows high gas velocities to be achieved while minimizing energy losses due to turbulence.
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 design achieves optimized gas flow, reducing energy losses and improving cutting quality and rate by minimizing turbulence and maximizing gas flow rate at the nozzle, thereby enhancing the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing the Coanda effect for improved flow guidance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a gas guide (11, 11a, 11b, 11c) for a laser cutting head (10) having a nozzle (19), having a central flow axis (S), comprising a base part having a pressure chamber (24) concentrically surrounding the flow axis (S), configured for the reception of a gas flow (20a, 20b, 20c), wherein the base part has at least four gas conduits (26a, 26b, 26c), which extend from the pressure chamber (24) in the direction of the flow axis (S), and wherein the cross-sections of the pressure chamber (24) and the gas conduits (26a, 26b, 26c) are dimensioned such that the gas has a maximum flow rate when it exits the gas conduits.