Electronic fail-safe laser shutter

摘要

An improved laser safety shutter is provided for the main supply power to the laser diode to be routed through an electronic shutter that prevents the passing of the supply power to the laser diodes to achieve laser shutdown or in the event of a control power failure. The main power is routed through a rectifier to convert the incoming alternating current (AC) feed to direct current (DC) power. A switching array operates in an alternating cycle so as to provide AC power to be transformed and passed along to the laser diode pump on the load side of the transformer. When shut down of the laser is desired or when power to the controller fails, the switches stop operating and the resultant DC power cannot be passed by the transformer effectively cutting the supply power to the laser diodes.

主权项

1. A fail-safe safety circuit for disabling a laser system including a main power supply and a laser output device, comprising:
a means for converting the main alternating current power to direct current power; an array of switches, said switches converting said direct current power to alternating current power when operated in an alternating pulsed fashion, said switches leaving said direct current power unchanged when not operated in an alternating pulsed fashion; an isolation transformer, said isolation transformer passing only said alternating current power to said laser output device, said isolation transformer stopping the transmission of direct current power; and a control circuit for controlling said switches, said control circuit further including a control isolation transformer preventing transfer of power to said switches should there be a failure in any portion of the control circuit.