Laser system chiller
View Patent ↗A laser system includes a laser element, a pump source configured to input light to the laser element, a first cooling circuit and a second cooling circuit. The first cooling circuit includes a first pump configured to drive a first flow of cooling liquid through a first fluid pathway, a first primary heat exchanger configured to cool the first flow of cooling liquid, and a laser element heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the laser element using the first flow of cooling liquid. The second cooling circuit includes a second pump configured to drive a flow of cooling liquid through a second fluid pathway, a second primary heat exchanger configured to cool the second flow of cooling liquid, and a pump source heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the pump source using the first and second flows of cooling liquid.
1. A laser system comprising:
a laser element;
a pump source configured to input light to the laser element;
a first cooling circuit comprising:
a first pump configured to drive a first flow of cooling liquid through a first fluid pathway;
a first primary heat exchanger in the first fluid pathway configured to cool the first flow of cooling liquid; and
a laser element heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the laser element using the first flow of cooling liquid; and
a second cooling circuit comprising:
a second pump configured to drive a flow of cooling liquid through a second fluid pathway;
a second primary heat exchanger in the second fluid pathway configured to cool the second flow of cooling liquid; and
a pump source heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the pump source using the first and second flows of cooling liquid;
wherein:
a cooling power delivered from the first and second cooling circuits to the pump source is configured to maintain the pump source within a first temperature range;
a cooling power delivered from a second cooling circuit to the laser element is configured to maintain the laser element within a second temperature range; and
the first and second temperature ranges are different.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a valve configured to divert a portion of the first flow of cooling liquid to the second cooling circuit through a feed line.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein:
the second cooling circuit comprises a reservoir of cooling liquid; and
the portion of the first flow of cooling liquid is received in the reservoir.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein:
the system comprises a temperature sensor having an output signal indicative of a temperature; and
the system comprises a controller configured to actuate the valve between open and closed positions responsive to the output signal.
5. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a return line through which cooling liquid is returned to the first cooling circuit from the reservoir.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first temperature range is approximately 21-34° C.
7. A laser system comprising:
a laser element;
a pump source configured to input light to the laser element;
a first cooling circuit comprising:
a first pump configured to drive a first flow of cooling liquid through a first fluid pathway;
a first primary heat exchanger in the first fluid pathway configured to cool the first flow of cooling liquid; and
a laser element heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the laser element using the first flow of cooling liquid;
a second cooling circuit comprising:
a second pump configured to drive a flow of cooling liquid through a second fluid pathway;
a second primary heat exchanger in the second fluid pathway configured to cool the second flow of cooling liquid; and
a pump source heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the pump source using the first and second flows of cooling liquid; and
a valve configured to divert a portion of the first flow of cooling liquid to the second cooling circuit through a feed line.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein:
the second cooling circuit comprises a reservoir of cooling liquid; and
the portion of the first flow of cooling liquid is received in the reservoir.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein:
the system comprises a temperature sensor having an output signal indicative of a temperature; and
the system comprises a controller configured to actuate the valve between open and closed positions responsive to the output signal.
10. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a return line through which cooling liquid is returned to the first cooling circuit from the reservoir.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein:
a cooling power delivered from the first and second cooling circuits to the pump source is configured to maintain the pump source within a first temperature range;
a cooling power delivered from a second cooling circuit to the laser element is configured to maintain the laser element within a second temperature range; and
the first and second temperature ranges are different.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first temperature range is approximately 21-34° C.