Modular High-Energy Laser Cooling Without External Refrigeration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closed-circuit refrigeration systems are unsuitable for portable high energy laser systems due to size, weight, and power consumption constraints, and are not well-suited for deployment in mobile platforms where space and weight are limited.
Innovation Solution
A compact and modular directed energy system that uses ambient air for cooling, eliminating the need for external coolant media and thermal management infrastructure, and is designed for assembly and operation by a two-user team.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional closed-circuit refrigeration systems are used to cool high energy laser systems, then temperature-sensitive components can be maintained within a narrow operating range, but the system becomes large, heavy, and consumes significant electrical power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the closed-circuit refrigeration system entirely from the laser system. Instead of using conventional compressors and condensers, the invention relies on natural convection and radiation cooling to dissipate heat from the laser components to the ambient environment, eliminating the heavy thermal management infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The laser system cools itself through passive thermal management mechanisms. The housing and mounting structures serve as heat sinks, and natural convection currents carry heat away from the laser diodes and optical components without requiring external cooling equipment
2Reliability
If conventional closed-circuit refrigeration systems are used, then high heat flux loads can be cooled effectively, but the system requires large compressors and condensers that are impractical for mobile platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex closed-circuit refrigeration infrastructure including compressors, condensers, and refrigerant circulation systems. The solution replaces this complex active cooling system with simple passive thermal management using natural convection and radiation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical refrigeration system (compressors, pumps, valves) with a passive thermal management approach based on natural convection and radiation. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical complexity while maintaining cooling functionality
3Power
If conventional closed-circuit refrigeration systems are used, then high power laser operation is sustained, but the system consumes significant amounts of electrical power
Solution Approach 1:
The laser system uses passive thermal management where the housing and mounting structures serve as heat sinks. Natural convection currents and thermal radiation carry heat away from the laser diodes and optical components without requiring external electrical power for cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the electrically-powered refrigeration system entirely. Instead of using compressors and fans that consume significant electrical power, the invention relies on natural thermal convection and radiation to dissipate heat, dramatically reducing electrical power requirements
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 system achieves efficient operation without the need for large compressors and condensers, allowing for portable deployment and scalable power output up to 10 kW, while maintaining temperature-sensitive components within a narrow operating range.
Implementation Method 1
one or more high-power laser sources that house one or more high-power fiber amplifiers
Implementation Method 2
a beam combiner optically coupled to the one or more high-power laser sources
Implementation Method 3
a beam director coupled to the beam combiner, a phased array beam director that moves in azimuth and elevation
Implementation Method 4
Cooling of the directed energy system is performed only by ambient air contacting the directed energy system and without application of any external coolant medium to the system
Implementation Method 5
Cooling of high heat flux loads that are also highly temperature sensitive
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a directed energy system that has a compact and modular configuration and that enables movement/assembly by a two-user team. The directed energy system includes one or more high-power laser sources that house one or more high-power fiber amplifiers, a beam combiner optically coupled to the one or more high-power laser sources, a beam director coupled to the beam combiner, a command and control module configurable to control operation of the one or more high-power fiber amplifiers. The directed energy system also includes a handheld controller with an integrated monitor, the handheld controller configurable to send control signals to the handheld controller module to control operation of the handheld controller module and a power module that includes batteries and power converters that provide electrical power required to run the directed energy system. Cooling of the directed energy system is performed only by ambient air contacting the directed energy system and without application of any external coolant medium to the system.