Rotating Laser Head With Angled Purge for Pipeline Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser tools face inefficiencies in purging debris from the laser beam pathway, leading to energy wastage and incomplete ablation of target materials due to stationary laser heads and inadequate purging mechanisms, which restrict the laser beam's ability to reach all areas of the target, especially in pipelines where material buildups occur.
Innovation Solution
The laser tool incorporates a rotatable head unit with a purging nozzle angled to direct fluid out of the laser energy pathway, allowing radial movement and circular rotation, ensuring complete ablation of target materials by adjusting the laser energy pathway to match variable target widths and minimizing damage to pipeline materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stationary laser head is used, then the device structure is simple, but the laser beam cannot reach all areas of the target material effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the stationary laser head into a rotatable head unit that can move radially and rotate circularly around the central longitudinal axis. This dynamic positioning system allows the laser beam to reach all areas of the target material effectively, resolving the contradiction between operational effectiveness and structural simplicity.
2Loss of energy
If a conventional purging mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but purged material blocks the laser pathway causing energy wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the asymmetry principle by orienting the purging nozzle at a specific angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the laser beam pathway. This asymmetric positioning allows the purging fluid to deflect purged material away from the laser pathway effectively, minimizing energy wastage while maintaining a relatively simple purging mechanism structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a fluid (such as water or gas) as an intermediary substance to clear purged material from the laser pathway. The fluid acts as a mediator between the laser beam and the target material, preventing blockage and ensuring continuous efficient energy transmission while adding minimal structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the laser head is fixed along the central longitudinal axis, then the alignment is simple, but the laser energy pathway cannot adapt to variable target widths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning capabilities through a rotational joint that enables the head unit to move radially relative to the central longitudinal axis and rotate circularly around it. This dynamic adjustment system allows the laser energy pathway to adapt to variable target widths and positions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and positioning mechanism complexity.
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 solution enables more complete and efficient ablation of target materials by maintaining a downward axial direction of the laser energy pathway while allowing radial movement and circular rotation, reducing the risk of damaging pipeline materials and eliminating the need for replacing pipes, as it can clean or clear blockages in situ.
Implementation Method 1
The laser energy is directed at a target material, and heat from the laser energy breaks down the target material.
Implementation Method 2
heat from the laser energy breaks down the target material
Implementation Method 3
The purging nozzle directs fluid at an angle into a pathway of the laser energy from the laser head to bias purged material out of the pathway of the laser energy.
Data Source
AI summary
A laser tool includes a tool body disposed at least partially along a central longitudinal axis, and a head unit connected to the tool body with a rotational joint. The head unit rotates around the central longitudinal axis with the rotational joint, includes a laser head to direct a laser energy toward a target and along a second longitudinal axis of the head unit. A purging nozzle, fluidly connected to a fluid source, includes a nozzle outlet oriented at an angle relative to the second longitudinal axis of the head unit, and directs fluid at an angle into a pathway of the laser energy from the laser head to bias purged material out of the pathway of the laser energy. The rotational joint supports the head unit on the tool body, and moves the head unit in a radial direction relative to the central longitudinal axis.