Method and system for monitoring output of high power fiber laser system
Inventors
Gapontsev, Valentin • Grapov, Yuri • DiGiantommaso, Michael
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9921168-B2
Publication Date
2018-03-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
The disclosure is a method and system for monitoring the condition of an optical protective component in a laser system associated with a data processor. In one embodiment, the method begins with directing light from the process head of a laser through the optical protective component onto a workpiece. A return light via the workpiece causes light signals coupled through the protective component and into to a fiber which extends proximate the protective component and thereafter flexibly to a sensor. The sensed signals allow monitoring the condition of the protective component during use. The method and system is operative for use with optical protective elements downstream of the process head.
Core Innovation
The invention operates a fiber laser system by transmitting laser generated light to an external worksite and backreflected light from the worksite through an optical protective component mounted to an end of a laser head facing the worksite. The optical protective component receives and transmits the laser beam to the remote work site and receives and transmits backreflected light from the work site while the laser process is operating.
A portion of the return light, including a portion of the backreflected light and optionally a portion consisting of direct laser light and/or backreflected light, is coupled through the optical protective component into an optical fiber located proximate to the optical protective component. The coupled return light is guided along the optical fiber to a sensor operative to determine a measure of light power thereof.
The invention compares the sensor-determined measure of light power to a predetermined reference value or profile range. When the measured light power exceeds the reference value, or is outside the predetermined profile range, an alarm is generated and the laser system is operated based upon the determination, and in further embodiments the protective component is pivotally displaced to an open position for replacement.
Additional embodiments include receiving a portion of return light with at least a second sensor upstream of the optical protective component in the laser head, generating a signal corresponding to received return-light power, and guiding the signal along a data path to a data processor. The return light can include scattered light produced when forward light and backreflected light are propagated through the optical protective component and the component is damaged.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three related aspects: an operating method for a fiber laser system using return-light power measurement, a monitoring system that measures the return-light power using an optical protective component and a proximate optical fiber, and a laser process head with a pivotally displaced protective component that is replaced when return-light power exceeds a reference value. Across these independents, the core inventive features include coupling return light through an optical protective component into a proximate optical fiber, determining a measure of light power with a sensor, and operating based upon a comparison to a reference value.
Operating a fiber laser based on coupled return-light power through an optical protective component
transmitting laser generated light to and backreflected light from an external worksite through an optical protective component mounted to an end of a laser head facing the worksite; coupling return light including a portion of the backreflected light through the optical protective component into an optical fiber located proximate to the protective component; guiding the coupled return light along the optical fiber to a sensor operative to determine a measure of a light power thereof; and operating the laser system based upon a result of the determination of the light power.
Monitoring a fiber laser output using an optical protective component and a proximate optical fiber to a power-measuring sensor
a process laser head guiding a direct laser beam along a path; an optical protective component mounted to a downstream end of the process head so as to receive and transmit the laser beam to a remote work site, and receive and transmit a backreflected light from the work site; an optical fiber located proximate to a periphery of the optical protective component so as to receive and guide return light selected from light portion consisting of the direct light, backreflected light and a combination of these; and a sensor coupled to the optical fiber and receiving the portion of the received light so as determine a measure of a light power thereof.
Replacing a pivotally mounted optical protective component when return-light power exceeds a reference value
a laser process head operative to guide a laser generated beam to a worksite, comprising an optical protective component pivotally mounted to a downstream end of a housing of the laser head along a light path; an optical fiber proximate a periphery of the optical protective component configured to receive return light including at least a portion of light backreflected from the worksite along the light path; and a sensor optically coupled to the optical fiber and operative to determine a measure of a light power of the return light, wherein the protective component is pivotally displaced to an open position for further replacement if the measured light power of the return light exceeds a reference value.
Taken together, the independent claims define monitoring and control of a fiber laser process by coupling selected return light through an optical protective component into a proximate optical fiber, measuring return-light power with a sensor, and operating or replacing a pivotally mounted protective component based on exceeding a reference value.
Stated Advantages
Generates an alarm when the measured light power is outside a predetermined profile range.
Enables operating the laser system based upon the sensor determination of light power.
Allows shut down for maintenance/replacement when the measured light power is outside the profile range and can enable replacement of the protective element when the reading exceeds the reference value.
Supports monitoring return light that can include scattered light when the optical protective component is damaged.
Documented Applications
Monitoring an output of a fiber laser system during a process at an external worksite using an optical protective component mounted to an end of the laser head.
Maintenance/replacement of an optical protective component by pivotally displacing it to an open position when measured return-light power exceeds a reference value.
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