Active Laser Guarding Screen with Segmented Conductive Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
High power lasers can cause damage and injury due to stray beams, as existing active laser guarding systems may fail to deactivate the laser when carbonization from the beam creates a conductive path, preventing the detection of a broken conductive path and subsequent deactivation of the laser.
Innovation Solution
An active laser guarding system with spaced apart conductors on a screen that carbonizes when struck by a laser beam, forming a conductive path between them, and a detector that generates a deactivation signal upon detecting this new path, ensuring the laser is safely shut off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single conductive path is used in the laser guarding system, then the system structure is simple, but the laser beam may not be reliably detected when carbonization creates alternative conductive paths
Solution Approach 1:
The single conductive path is segmented into multiple separate conductive paths (first conductive path and second conductive path). Each path independently monitors for laser beam interruption. This segmentation ensures that carbonization creating alternative paths does not compromise detection reliability, as each segmented path remains an independent detection channel.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the screen are equipped with different conductive paths with specific spatial arrangements. The first conductive path is positioned to detect laser beams from one direction, while the second conductive path detects from another direction. This local differentiation of conductive path positions enhances overall detection reliability without requiring a completely complex system redesign.
2Measurement precision
If the conductive path material is highly conductive, then the electrical signal detection is easier, but the carbonization from laser impact may create additional conductive paths that mask the break
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the monitoring system into multiple independent conductive paths, the patent ensures that carbonization affecting one path does not compromise the detection capability of other paths. Each segmented path provides independent measurement, maintaining detection precision while mitigating the reliability issue caused by carbonization creating alternative conductive paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the electrical continuity of each conductive path and provides feedback to the control system. When a break is detected in any conductive path, the system immediately responds by deactivating the laser. This feedback mechanism ensures precise detection of conductor breaks while maintaining reliable laser safety control, overcoming the masking effect of carbonization.
3Reliability
If spaced apart conductors are used to allow carbonization connection, then laser beam detection is enabled through carbonization, but the original conductive path may remain intact reducing break detection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple segmented conductive paths that are spatially separated and independently monitored. Each segment serves as an independent detection channel. When laser carbonization connects spaced conductors, it creates detectable changes in specific segments while other segments remain intact for comparison, maintaining both reliability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on conductive path breaks for detection, the system inverts the detection logic by also monitoring for unexpected conductive connections through carbonization. The detector is configured to recognize both break patterns and unexpected continuity patterns, allowing reliable laser beam detection through carbonization events while maintaining the ability to detect actual conductor breaks through the segmented architecture.
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
Effectively deactivates the laser by utilizing the conductive properties of carbonization, preventing damage and injury by ensuring the laser is turned off even if the original conductive path is not broken, thus providing enhanced safety against high power laser beams.
Implementation Method 1
the screen comprising material, at least between the two conductors, which is arranged to carbonise when struck by a laser beam to form a further conductive path
Implementation Method 2
the carbonisation electrically connects the two conductors, the system further comprising a detector operative to detect the further conductive path
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An active laser guarding system 1 comprises at least one screen 3 provided with at least two spaced apart conductors 7, 9 each defining a respective electrically conductive path that is electrically separate from the other. The screen 3 comprises material, at least between the two conductors 7, 9, which is arranged to carbonise when struck by a laser beam to form a further conductive path 19 which extends between, and electrically connects, the two conductors 7, 9. The system 1 further comprises a detector 15 operative to detect the further conductive path 19 so formed, the detector 15 being operative to generate a laser deactivation signal response to detecting the further conductive path 19.