Laser Head Nozzle Cooling Assembly for Leak-Free Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for laser head nozzles in laser cladding processes suffer from leakage issues due to poor sealing and require complex maintenance procedures, disrupting the process and necessitating disassembly and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-cooling device with a tubular body and perimetral channel around a central opening for the nozzle, featuring independent input and output ports, allowing continuous cooling liquid circulation without mixing with metal powder, and facilitating easy maintenance by uncoupling the device without interrupting the cooling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling circuit inside the nozzle is used with O-rings for sealing, then the nozzle can be refrigerated, but the O-rings do not fit well and water mixes with metal powder and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate circuits: a cooling liquid circulation circuit and a metal powder flow circuit. The cooling device body with its internal channel is separated from the nozzle interior, allowing independent circulation of cooling liquid and metal powder without mixing. This segmentation resolves the sealing reliability issue by eliminating the need for seals between the two fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device body acts as an intermediary structure that provides thermal cooling to the nozzle without direct contact between the cooling liquid and metal powder. The perimetral channel in the cooling device body serves as a mediator that transfers heat away from the nozzle while maintaining separate fluid paths.
2Temperature
If a cooling circuit inside the nozzle is used, then the nozzle can be refrigerated, but maintenance requires complex disassembly and cleaning procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is designed as a separate, detachable component from the nozzle. The nozzle can be removed from the cooling device body by simply detaching it from the central opening, allowing easy maintenance of both components independently without complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device is extracted as a separate functional unit from the nozzle assembly. This allows the cooling function to be maintained while the nozzle can be easily removed and replaced for maintenance without affecting the cooling circuit, simplifying repair procedures.
3Ease of repair
If water supply is cut off for maintenance, then the cooling system can be serviced, but the process is disrupted and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is extracted as a separate, easily detachable component from the cooling device body. This allows maintenance of the nozzle without interrupting the cooling liquid circulation in the cooling device body, enabling continuous operation of the cooling function during nozzle maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device body with its integrated cooling circuit is pre-assembled as a complete unit. This allows the cooling system to remain operational and pre-configured while only the nozzle needs to be replaced for maintenance, minimizing process disruption and downtime.
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
Efficient cooling of the nozzle is maintained without interfering with the laser cladding process, simplifying maintenance by allowing the cooling device to be uncoupled without disrupting the flow of metal powder, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling liquid, typically water, passes through the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
circulating a cooling liquid through the channel
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention refers to a liquid-cooling device (1) for laser head nozzles, wherein the device comprises: a body (18) having a central opening (6) configured for accommodating a nozzle (7) of a laser head, and a channel (5) formed internally in the tubular body (18) and extending at least in part around the central opening (6), and an input port (9) and an output port (10), both, fluidly communicated with the channel (5) for circulating a cooling liquid through the perimetral channel (5). The invention also refers to a laser head nozzle assembly (15) comprising the liquid-cooling device (1) and a nozzle (7) of a laser head accommodated in the central opening (6) of the tubular body (18), such that the nozzle (7) and the liquid-cooling device (1) are thermally coupled, in order to reduce temperature of the nozzle (7) when a cooling liquid is circulated through the channel (5) of the liquid-cooling device (1).