Laser system controller

• US 6,091,749 A
• Filed: 02/26/1998
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Wetkowski, Terry L., Hoffmaster, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Application Number:
  US09/031,328
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 372/24, 372/25, 372/26, 372/28, 372/29, 372/32, 372/33, 372/38, 372/108, 372/109
• US Class Current: 372/38.02
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0617 using memorised or pre-programmed laser characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/06209 in single-section lasers H01S5/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0683 by monitoring the optical output parameters

Abstract

A laser controller (12) that has particular application for controlling a solid state diode laser (10) including a series of gain modules and associated diode arrays. The laser controller (12) includes a control console (44) including a touch screen (46) that allows a laser operator to interface with the controller (12) to control the laser (10) and laser parameters. The control console (44) includes a target monitor (50) that allows the operator to view the laser beam at a reduced beam intensity for alignment and beam quality purposes. The laser controller (12) further includes a computer (14) having a counter circuit (20) that outputs a signal to set the pulse width and pulse rate of the laser beam output. This control allows the laser beam output to be ramped from one beam intensity to another beam intensity during a laser operation. The counter/timer circuit (24) and a series of end of pulse detectors (26) in the controller (12) allow sequencing of the output signal to the various diode arrays in the gain modules so that the laser beam output can be formed into a continuous wave. The computer (14) further includes a pattern generator that outputs a signal that ramps a laser beam modulator to modulate the beam output pulse into a stream of smaller, higher peak energy, pulses. The laser controller (12) also includes a power supply interface system (58) that isolates the control computer (14) from the primary power supplies (16) that provide power to the diode arrays. A laser mirror motor control system (66) allows the operator to manually control the mirrors of the laser (10) through the control console (44). Shut down electronics (70) bypass the computer (14) and automatically shut down the primary power supplies (16) in the event of a safety breach.

Claims

1. A laser controller for controlling the operating parameters of a laser system, said laser system generating a laser beam output, said controller comprising:

a control computer, said computer receiving input signals and providing output signals to control the laser controller and the laser system, said computer including a counter circuit that is operable to ramp the laser beam output from a first predetermined beam intensity to a second predetermined beam intensity during a particular laser operation;

said computer including a pattern generator that is operable to ramp a laser beam modulator to modulate the output beam into a stream of pulses; and

a control console, said control console including a console system for allowing a laser operator to control the laser system, said console system outputting signals to the computer to control the laser system.

2. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the laser system includes a plurality of diode arrays that are selectively energized to generate a light output to create a lasing action in at least one gain module, said computer including a counter circuit that is programmed with a predetermined operation to energize each of the diode arrays in a predetermined sequence.

3. The controller according to claim 2 further comprising a pulse phasing system, said pulse phasing system being responsive to signals from the counter circuit to control the energizing sequence of the diode arrays.

4. The controller according to claim 3 wherein the pulse phasing system controls the energizing sequence of the diode arrays so that the diode arrays are energized in a sequence where only one array is energized at a time to cause the laser beam output to be a continuous output.

5. The controller according to claim 3 wherein the pulse phasing system includes a plurality of end of pulse detectors, where each pulse detector detects a falling edge of a pulse from the counter circuit energizing one diode array to cause the counter circuit to generate a pulse to energize a next diode array.

6. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the pattern generator outputs a signal to a modulator to modulate the beam output into a stream of high peak intensity pulses.

7. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the control console includes a computer monitor having a touch screen, said operator controlling the operation of the laser system by the touch screen.

8. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the control console includes a target monitor and the laser system includes a plurality of target and alignment cameras, said target monitor displaying the laser beam viewed by the cameras.

9. The controller according to claim 1 further comprising a power supply interface system, said power supply interface system isolating the control computer from a plurality of primary power supplies.

10. The controller according to claim 1 further including a laser mirror motor control system for controlling a plurality of laser mirrors associated with the laser system, wherein the operator controls the laser mirrors through the control console.

11. The controller according to claim 1 further comprising system shut down electronics, said system shut down electronics bypassing the control computer and shutting down a primary power supply of the laser system in the event of a safety breach.

12. A laser controller for controlling the operation of a laser system, said laser system including at least one gain module, said gain module including a plurality of diode arrays, where each diode array is driven by a diode array driver, said diode arrays generating a light intensity output to cause a lasing action in the at least one gain module to generate a laser beam output, said controller comprising:

a control system, said control system receiving input signals and providing output signals to control the laser controller and the laser system, said control system being programmed to perform a predetermined laser operation, said control system including a diode array controller that outputs a signal to the diode array drivers to control when the diodes in the diode arrays are energized, said diode array controller being operable to ramp the laser beam output from a first predetermined beam intensity to a second predetermined beam intensity and operable to control a sequencing of energizing the diode arrays; and

a control console, said control console providing an operator interface for allowing a laser operator to control the laser system, said control console outputting signals to the control system to control the operation of the laser system.

13. The controller according to claim 12 wherein the diode array controller includes a pattern generator, said pattern generator outputting a signal to a modulator to modulate the beam output into a stream of high peak intensity pulses.

14. The controller according to claim 12 wherein the diode array controller includes a pulse phasing system having a counter circuit and a plurality of end of pulse detectors, said counter circuit outputting a plurality of pulses to the diode array drivers to sequence the diode arrays, wherein each end of pulse detector detects a falling edge of a pulse from the counter circuit so as to cause the counter circuit to generate a next pulse to energize a next diode array.

15. The controller according to claim 12 wherein the control system includes a computer monitor having a touch screen, said operator controlling the operation of the laser system by the touch screen.

16. The controller according to claim 12 wherein the control console includes a target monitor and the laser system includes a plurality of target and alignment cameras, said target monitor displaying the laser beam viewed by the cameras.

17. The controller according to claim 12 further comprising a power supply interface system, said power supply interface system isolating the control computer from a plurality of primary power supplies.

18. The controller according to claim 12 further including a laser mirror motor control system for controlling a plurality of laser mirrors associated with the laser system, wherein the operator controls the laser mirrors through the control console.

19. The controller according to claim 12 further comprising system shut down electronics, said system shut down electronics bypassing the control computer and shutting down a primary power supply of the laser system in the event of a safety breach.

20. A laser controller for controlling the operating parameters of a laser system, said laser system generating a laser beam output, said controller comprising:

a control system, said control system receiving input signals and providing output signals to control the laser controller and the laser system, said control system including a counter circuit that sets a predetermined beam pulse width and pulse rate of the laser beam output and is operable to ramp the intensity of the beam output from a first predetermined intensity to a second predetermined intensity;

said computer including a pattern generator that is operable to ramp a laser beam modulator to modulate the output beam into a stream of pulses; and

a control console, said control console providing an operator interface for allowing a laser operator to control the laser system, said control console including a monitor having a touch screen, said operator controlling the operation of the laser system by the touch screen, said touch screen allowing the operator to output a signal to the control system to adjust the laser beam pulse width and pulse rate, said control console further including a target monitor and the laser system including a plurality of target and alignment cameras, said target monitor displaying the laser beam viewed by the cameras.

21. The controller according to claim 20 wherein the laser system includes a plurality of diode arrays that are selectively energized to generate a light output to create a lasing action in at least one gain module, said computer including a counter circuit that is programmed with a predetermined operation to energize each of the diode arrays in a predetermined sequence.

22. The controller according to claim 20 further comprising a power supply interface system, said power supply interface system isolating the control computer from a plurality of primary power supplies.

23. The controller according to claim 20 further including a laser mirror motor control system for controlling a plurality of laser mirrors associated with the laser system, wherein the operator controls the laser mirrors through the control console.

24. The controller according to claim 20 further comprising system shut down electronics, said system shut down electronics bypassing the control computer and shutting down a primary power supply of the laser system in the event of a safety breach.