Title: Cooler for optics transmitting high intensity light

Abstract

A system and an apparatus having an optic and a cooling system for cooling the optic. In one example an optically addressed light valve forms the optic. The cooling system includes first and second windows on opposing surfaces of the optically addressed light valve which constrain a cooling fluid to flow over the opposing surfaces. The fluid pressure outside the optically addressed light valve is low enough that it does not compress a liquid crystal gap of the optically addressed light valve. The cooling fluid is also transparent to a high powered light beam which is projected through the first and second windows, and also through the optically addressed light valve, during an additive manufacturing operation.

Inventors:

Demuth, James A.; Duoss, Eric B.; Kuntz, Joshua D.; Rosso, Paul A.; Spadaccini, Christopher M.

Issue Date:

Tue Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2020

Research Org.:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1735165

Patent Number(s):

10747033

Application Number:

15/010,188

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B23 - MACHINE TOOLS B23K - SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B23 - MACHINE TOOLS B23K - SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING

B23K26/703 - {Cooling arrangements

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B29C64/268 - using laser beams

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B33 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY B33Y - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

B33Y30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturing

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02F - DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH IS MODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THE DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY, COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g. SWITCHING, GATING, MODULATING OR DEMODULATING

G02F1/0126 - {by another light beam, i.e. opto-optical modulation
G02F1/132 - {Thermal activation of liquid crystals exhibiting a thermo-optic effect
G02F1/135 - Liquid crystal cells structurally associated with a photoconducting or a ferro-electric layer, the properties of which can be optically or electrically varied {

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P10/25 - by increasing the energy efficiency of the process

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC52-07NA27344

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 01/29/2016

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

42 ENGINEERING