Optics assembly for high power laser tools

Abstract

There is provided a high power laser rotational optical assembly for use with, or in high power laser tools for performing high power laser operations. In particular, the optical assembly finds applications in performing high power laser operations on, and in, remote and difficult to access locations. The optical assembly has rotational seals and bearing configurations to avoid contamination of the laser beam path and optics.

1 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A high power rotating optics assembly for use with a high power laser device, the optics assembly comprising:
 a. an optics package comprising a first end, a second end, an optic and a window;   b. a housing comprising a first end and a second end and a first side and a second, wherein the housing second end is fixedly associated with the optics package first end; whereby the housing and the optics package define a first section of the optics assembly;   c. a member defining an optical channel, the member having a side removed from the optical channel;   d. the member side having two bearing assemblies, the hearing assemblies being rotationally associated with the housing first side;   e. a rotary seal in sealing engagement with the member and the housing; and,   f. the member having an opening in optical association with the optical channel for receiving a high power laser source, wherein the member and opening define a second section of the optics assembly;   g. whereby the first and second sections of the optics assembly are rotationally associated so that a laser beam may be transmitted from the first opening through the optical channel to the optics package and exit the optics package while the first section or second section is rotating relative to the other.   
     
     
         44 . The optics assembly of  claim 43 , wherein member has a first section and a second section and the member second section has a stepped optical channel for managing back reflections. 
     
     
         45 . The optics assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the housing has a passive cooling means. 
     
     
         46 . The optics assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the optics package is associated with a passive cooling means. 
     
     
         47 . The optics assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the member has a passive cooling means. 
     
     
         48 . The optics assembly of  claim 44 , wherein the member has a passive cooling means. 
     
     
         49 . A high power rotating optics assembly for use with a high power laser device, the optics assembly comprising:
 a. an optics package comprising an optic;   b. a housing having an opening in optical association with the optics package, the housing defining a first section of the optics assembly;   c. a member defining an optical channel, the member having a side removed from the optical channel; wherein the member is fixedly associated with the optics package; whereby the member and the optics package define a second section of the optics assembly;   d. a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly, comprised of bearing materials, the first and second bearing assemblies rotationally and axially associating the housing and the member;   e. a rotary seal means in sealing engagement with the member and the housing, whereby the first and the second bearing assemblies are isolated from the optical channel and the optics package; and,   f. the member having an opening in optical association with the optical channel for receiving a high power laser source;   g. whereby the first and second sections of the optics assembly are rotationally associated so that so that the optics package and the optical channel are maintained substantially free from bearing material during rotation.   
     
     
         50 . The optics assembly of  claim 49 , comprising a means for managing back reflections. 
     
     
         51 . The optics assembly of  claim 49 , comprising a passive cooling means. 
     
     
         52 . The optics assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the member opening for receiving the high power laser source, defines a receptacle for receiving a plurality of high power laser beams having a combined power of at least about 50 kW. 
     
     
         53 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by tip/tilt to less than about 0.0066 radians. 
     
     
         54 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the optical alignment is maintained over temperature ranges from about −100° C. to about 200° C. 
     
     
         55 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the optical alignment is maintained over forces of about 100 g's. 
     
     
         56 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the optical alignment is maintained over forces of about 100 g's. 
     
     
         57 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by tip/tilt to less than about 0.004 radians. 
     
     
         58 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by tip/tilt to less than 0.018 radians. 
     
     
         59 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the optical alignment is maintained in the presence of transmitting at least about a 5 kW laser beam between the first and second sections. 
     
     
         60 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by tip/tilt to less than about 0.004 radians over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         61 . The high power optical assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by tip/tilt to less than about 0001 radians over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         62 . The high power optical assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by defocus to less than about 0.05 mm over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         63 . The high power optical assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by decentering to less than about 1.6 mm over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         64 . The high power optical assembly of  claims 49 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by decentering to less than about 1 mm over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         65 . The high power optics assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by tip/tilt to less than about 0.004 radians over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         66 . The high power optical assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by tip/tilt to less than about 0.001 radians over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         67 . The high power optical assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by defocus to less than about 0.05 mm over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         68 . The high power optical assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by decentering to less than about 1.6 mm over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         69 . The high power optical assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the assembly is capable of maintaining optical alignment, as measured by decentering to less than about 1 mm over basic operating parameters. 
     
     
         70 - 74 . (canceled) 
     
     
         75 . A high power rotating optics assembly for use with a high power laser device, the optics assembly comprising:
 a. an optics package comprising an optic;   b. a first housing having an opening in optical association with the optics package, the first housing defining a first section of the optics assembly;   c. a second housing defining an optical channel, the second housing having a surface removed from the optical channel; wherein the second housing comprises the optics package; whereby the housing comprising the optics package defines a second section of the optics assembly;   d. a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly, the first and second bearing assemblies rotationally and axially associating the first housing and the second housing; and,   e. a rotary seal means in sealing engagement with the first housing and the second housing,; and,   f. the second housing having an opening in optical association with the optical channel for receiving a high power laser source;   g. wherein the optical channel and the optics package are isolated from an environment exterior to the first housing or the second housing, during rotation and transmission of a laser beam, whereby the optics package and the optical channel are maintained substantially free from contamination.