System and assemblies for transferring high power laser energy through a rotating junction

Abstract

There are provided high power laser devices and systems for transmitting a high power laser beam across a rotating assembly, including optical slip rings and optical rotational coupling assemblies. These devices can transmit the laser beam through the rotation zone in free space or within a fiber.

1 . A rotational junction transmission device for transmitting very high power laser energy, the device comprising:
 a. a housing having a first end and a second end;   b. a first plate rotatably affixed to the first end of the housing, and a second plate affixed to the second end of the housing, wherein the first and second plates and the housing define a rotation junction there between;   c. a means for transferring a laser beam having at least about 20 kW of power across the rotation junction.   
     
     
         2 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A self adjusting optical slip ring for transmitting high power laser energy across a rotational transition, the slip ring comprising: a first connector defining a mechanical, optical and thermal tolerance; a second connector defining a mechanical, optical and thermal tolerance; a launching body optics defining a mechanical, optical and thermal tolerance; a receiving body optics defining a mechanical, optical and thermal tolerance tolerance; and all tolerances below a predetermined level, whereby the optical slip ring is self-aligning. 
     
     
         8 . An optical rotational coupling assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a. a continuous length of a high power umbilical having a first end section and a second end section;   b. the end sections on either side of a rotational junction;   c. wherein the first end is fixed in a non-rotatable manner; and,   d. wherein the second end rotatable, in a manner that does not twist the umbilical;   e. whereby the assembly is capable of delivering a laser beam across the rotational junction.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the assembly comprises: a first non-rotating drum, a second rotating drum, and a revolving arm assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the umbilical is configured in a reversible helix.