Coherent light generators – Particular active media – Gas
Patent
1988-03-03
1989-07-25
Scott, Jr., Leon
Coherent light generators
Particular active media
Gas
372107, 372 65, 372 34, H01S 322
Patent
active
048521140
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention is related in subject matter to U.S. Ser. No. 177,660, filed Mar. 7, 1988.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a gas laser device for use in machining, and more particularly, to a gas laser device having a main unit including a power supply, and a laser beam emitter separate from the main unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Gas laser devices are widely used for cutting and welding metal. Two typical gas laser devices are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
FIG. 9 shows a high-speed axial-flow-type gas laser device which includes a laser beam, 61 resonator reflecting mirrors, 62a and 62b a discharge tube, 64a, 64b heat exchangers 64a and 64b for absorbing heat of the discharge gas and discharging the same to cool the gas, an air blower 65 for circulating a laser medium gas, and a DC high-voltage power supply 66 for generating electric discharges in the discharge tube.
In this type of gas laser device, electric discharges are produced in the discharge tube 63 to excite the laser medium gas which flows at a high speed in the tube for thereby causing laser excitation.
FIG. 10 shows an orthogonal-type gas laser device. Those parts which are identical to those shown in FIG. 9 are denoted by identical reference numerals, and will not be described in detail. Discharge electrodes 67a and 67b disposed in an opposing relation to each other.
In this type of gas laser device, electric discharges are generated between the electrodes 67a and 67b to excite a laser medium gas flowing at a high speed between the electrodes for laser excitation.
In order to operate a gas laser device efficiently on a continued basis, the temperature of the gas in a discharging unit must be kept low. Both of the above gas laser device types are equipped with a heat exchanger and an air blower, and a discharging power supply of a substantial size, and hence have a substantial weight and volume as a whole.
Systems for machining workpieces using the above laser devices include a system in which the workpiece is moved and a system in which a laser beam is scanned. In the system in which the workpiece is moved, a machining table is large in size, the machining speed is low, and three-dimensional machining is especially difficult to achieve. Therefore, the system in which the laser beam is scanned and a system in which the workpiece is moved and the laser beam is scanned are mainly relied upon at present.
When the laser beam is scanned, however, the optical distance between the laser device and the workpiece is varied, resulting in lowered machining performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas laser device which will solve the above problem and has a main unit including a power supply, and a laser beam emitter separate from the main unit.
To solve the above problems, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a gas laser device in which a laser medium gas is circulated in an airtight container and a laser beam is generated from the gas excited by an electric discharge.
A main unit includes an air blower for circulating the gas, a heat exchanger for cooling the gas, and a discharging power supply.
A laser beam emitter includes a discharging unit and resonator reflecting mirrors and is separate from the main unit; and
A gas pipe assembly couples said main unit and said laser beam emitter, and includes a plurality of highly rigid steel pipes and flexible, expandable/contractable, airtight connector members connecting the steel pipes.
Since the laser beam emitter is separate from the main unit, the laser beam emitter may be installed in the vicinity of a laser machining head. The laser beam is not required to traverse a long distance using mirrors providing a folded laser beam passage, and stable machining is made possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic cros
REFERENCES:
patent: 4592063 (1986-05-01), Accetta et al.
patent: 4617667 (1986-10-01), Penn
patent: 4661958 (1987-04-01), Bowes et al.
patent: 4760583 (1988-07-01), Sasnett et al.
Fanuc Ltd.
Jr. Leon Scott
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