Coherent light generators – Particular active media – Gas
Patent
1990-09-04
1992-02-25
Scott, Jr., Leon
Coherent light generators
Particular active media
Gas
372 34, 372 29, H01S 303
Patent
active
050919148
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a high-power, high-frequency discharge pumping laser device used for effecting a machining operation such as cutting metal or the like, and more particularly, to a high-frequency discharge pumping laser device capable of maintaining a stable discharge condition while the laser output is held at zero.
2. Background Art
A high-frequency discharge pumping laser device can produce a single mode high power laser beam, and thus is widely used for the machining of metals or the like. In such a high-frequency discharge pumping laser device, the oscillation of the laser is controlled in accordance with a machining program or the like, whereby the oscillation of the laser is set to the base discharging mode while the machining operation is not effected, even when in the operative condition, and a shutter is opened in response to a machining command to start the oscillation operation of the laser with a preset power, to effect the machining operation.
Therefore, the discharge tube must be held in the base discharging state in the machining stand-by mode, and accordingly, in the prior art, auxiliary discharge electrodes are used to effect only a discharging operation with a zero output power.
For this purpose, auxiliary electrodes other than the electrodes for effecting the laser excitation must be used, and thus the construction of the discharge tube becomes complex. Further, a power supply for the auxiliary electrodes is required, and thus the construction of the high-frequency power supply for the laser pumping also becomes complex.
In addition, it is difficult to set the laser output power to zero and continuously effect only the discharging operation by using only the main electrodes for the laser excitation, without using the auxiliary electrodes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention has been created in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a high-frequency discharge pumping laser device having a simple construction and wherein the discharging operation in the machining stand-by mode can be stably controlled.
In this invention, to solve the above problem, a high-frequency discharge pumping laser device is provided in which a high-frequency voltage is applied to a discharge tube to cause a laser oscillation and which includes a light measuring means for measuring light discharged from the discharge tube, wherein the discharged light is used as a feedback signal to control an output of a laser power supply, to thereby stably control the discharging operation when the laser output is zero.
Further, a high-frequency discharge pumping laser device is provided, wherein the ambient temperature of the discharge tube is used instead of the discharged light as a feedback signal, to thereby stable control the discharging operation when the laser output is zero.
The laser output has a close relationship with the discharging area in the discharge tube, and therefore, the discharging area in which the discharging operation can be stably maintained with an output of zero is detected to thereby stably control the discharging operation when the laser output is zero.
Further, the length of the discharging area has an indirect relationship with the ambient temperature of the discharge tube, and the discharging operation also can be stably controlled according to the ambient temperature of the discharge tube when the laser output is zero.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware construction of an NC laser device of an embodiment of a high-frequency discharge pumping laser device of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the laser output and the power input to the discharge tube;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the discharging area and an output;
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the discharge tube in detail; and
FIG. 5 is an external, perspective view of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An embodiment of th
REFERENCES:
patent: 4785456 (1988-11-01), Kaplan
patent: 4856010 (1989-08-01), Wissman et al.
patent: 4856012 (1989-08-01), Takenaka
patent: 4866722 (1989-09-01), Deki et al.
patent: 4884279 (1989-11-01), Odagiri
Egawa Akira
Maeda Michinori
Fanuc Ltd.
Jr. Leon Scott
LandOfFree
High-frequency discharge pumping laser device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with High-frequency discharge pumping laser device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High-frequency discharge pumping laser device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1898248