Optical Component Mount With Integrated Cooling Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for optical mounts subjected to high-power light beams are not adapted for adjustable mounts, leading to misalignment and manufacturing challenges due to the need for long pipes and risk of leaks.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable opto-mechanical mount with a cooling circuit integrated into the fixed and movable portions and flexible articulations, allowing fluid flow without the need for internal pipes, thus maintaining compactness and preventing misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling circuits with pipes and connectors are attached to fixed mounts, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and risk of leaks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling circuit directly into the mount structure by integrating channels within the single-piece body, eliminating the need for separate pipes and connectors. This integration maintains effective cooling while reducing device complexity and eliminating leak risks associated with external connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for optical components and incorporates integrated cooling channels. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to perform both mounting and cooling tasks, reducing the need for additional separate cooling components.
2Manufacturing precision
If very long pipes are used to limit stress transmission to movable portions, then misalignment is prevented, but manufacturing difficulty and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are merged directly into the mount body structure, eliminating the need for long external pipes. The integrated channels provide cooling while maintaining compact dimensions and avoiding the manufacturing complexities associated with assembling long pipe systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount is designed as a single-piece structure with segmented cooling channels embedded within. This segmentation allows the cooling circuit to be distributed throughout the mount body without requiring long connecting pipes, thereby maintaining alignment precision while simplifying manufacturing.
3Temperature
If connectors and pipes are used in cooling circuits, then cooling functionality is achieved, but risk of leaks at connectors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling circuit is merged into the mount body as integrated channels, eliminating external pipes and connectors entirely. This integration removes the potential failure points where leaks could occur, significantly improving system reliability while maintaining effective cooling functionality.
4Volume of moving object
If integrated cooling circuit is used in adjustable mount, then compactness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are merged into the mount body as a single integrated component. This integration achieves compactness by eliminating separate pipe assemblies while the single-piece manufacturing process keeps production straightforward, avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach by using single-piece fabrication with embedded channels. This parameter change in the manufacturing process allows the integrated cooling circuit to be created directly during forming, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving compact design.
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 integrated cooling circuit provides homogeneous and controlled cooling, preventing overheating and misalignment of the optical mount and its components, while maintaining a compact design and reducing manufacturing and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
the mount comprises a cooling circuit which is integrated into the fixed portion, the movable portion and the articulation and which is adapted to allow a fluid to flow inside said mount
Implementation Method 2
cooling circuit for homogenizing and controlling the cooling of the opto-mechanical mount
Data Source
AI summary
An optical component mount includes a fixed portion and a movable portion, the mount being configured to support at least one optical component, the fixed portion and the movable portion being mechanically connected to each other by a flexible articulation which is capable of allowing the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion. The mount includes a cooling circuit which is integrated into the fixed portion, the movable portion and the articulation and which is capable of allowing a fluid to flow inside the mount, the cooling circuit including a fluid inlet hole and a fluid outlet hole, the fluid inlet hole and the fluid outlet hole being arranged on the fixed portion.