High power laser iris cutters
There are provided using deuterium oxide as a media for transmitting high power lasers to perform laser operations, such as cutting, boring and drilling, a target material. High power laser beams are transmitted through a deuterium oxide beam path to a target material, including material in a pressure containment vessel.
1. An iris laser cutting assembly comprising:
a. a support ring;
b. a high power laser delivery system;
c. an iris cutter comprising a plurality of iris cutting blades, wherein in an open position the iris cutter defines an iris cavity;
d. a plurality of laser cutters, each laser cutter positioned to direct a laser beam into the iris cavity;
e. wherein the high power laser delivery system is in optical communication with the laser cutters; and wherein the support ring is connected to the iris cutter; and,
f. wherein the iris cutter blades are capable upon closing from the open position to center a tubular in the iris cavity to be cut by laser beams delivered from the laser cutters; whereby the iris cutter blades are capable of closing the iris opening.
2. The iris laser cutting assembly of claim 1 wherein the ring comprises a flange.
3. The iris laser cutting assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one laser cutter is positioned toward the end of at least one iris blade.
4. The iris laser cutting assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one laser cutter is positioned outside of the iris blades.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the laser delivery system comprises a laser fluid delivery mechanism.
6. An iris laser cutting head assembly comprising:
a. a support defining an opening, the support comprising a linkage capable of attachment in a pressure containment device; whereby upon attachment the opening becomes part of a cavity in the pressure containment device;
b. a laser delivery system in optical communication with a plurality of laser cutters;
c. an iris cutter comprising a plurality of iris cutting blades, wherein in an open position the iris cutter defines an iris cavity; whereby upon attachment in the pressure containment device the iris cavity becomes a part of the pressure containment device cavity;
d. a plurality of laser cutters, each laser cutter positioned to direct a laser beam into the iris cavity; and,
e. wherein, upon attachment to the pressure containment device, the iris cutter blades are capable upon closing from the open position to center a tubular in the pressure containment device cavity to be cut by laser beams delivered from the laser cutters; whereby the iris cutter blades are capable of closing the pressure containment device cavity.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the iris laser cutting head assembly is integral with the pressure containment device.
8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the pressure containment device is selected from a group consisting of a gate valve, a well head, and a BOP.
9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the iris laser cutting head assembly is integral with the pressure containment device.
10. A method of cutting comprising:
a. using the iris laser cutting head assembly recited in claim 1 to cut a structure; and
b. wherein a laser beam path points inwardly.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the structure is a pipe.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein a structure fits within an iris cavity.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein the method is performed in a pressurized environment.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein the assembly is integrated with a pressure containing vessel.
15. A method of cutting a tubular in an oil well, the method comprising:
a. closing iris cutting blades on a tubular in a pressure containment device, whereby the tubular is centered in the pressure containment device; and,
b. propagating a high power laser beam from the iris laser cutting head assembly recited in claim 6 , toward the tubular, whereby the tubular is cut.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the method is performed in a pressurized environment.