Laser device

To provide a laser device capable of detecting overheating (abnormality) of a heat-generating part by detecting a temperature of a cooling member for cooling the heat-generating part. A laser device includes one or a plurality of heat-generating part(s), one or a plurality of cooling member(s) respectively disposed in contact with the one or plurality of heat-generating part(s), the one or plurality of cooling member(s) containing a refrigerant flowing inside, one or a plurality of first temperature detection part(s) respectively disposed on the one or plurality of cooling member(s) to respectively detect temperatures of the one or plurality of cooling member(s), and a monitoring part capable of detecting an abnormality respectively in the one or plurality of cooling member(s) based on temperature information including information on the temperatures detected by the one or plurality of first temperature detection part(s).

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-242504, filed on 14 Dec. 2016, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a laser device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a laser device including a cooling member for cooling a heat-generating part.

Related Art

A conventional laser device such as a semiconductor laser device has heat-generating parts such as a plurality of laser cavities and an optical component. Each of such heat-generating parts is cooled by a cooling member utilizing cooling water supplied by an external cooling device. The cooling water circulates between the cooling device and the cooling member, so as to be supplied from the cooling device to the cooling member through a supply passage connecting between the cooling device and the cooling member, and to be discharged from the cooling member to the cooling device.

If the cooling water contains foreign matter such as dust, the flow amount thereof may decrease, and a heat-generating member may be damaged by overheating, in some cases. In response to this, a laser device is disclosed, which maintains cleanliness of circulating cooling water and a circulation passage (refer to Patent Document 1, as an example). However, although this technology is able to suppress reduction in flow amount of the cooling water to a certain extent, it is not able to detect overheating or the like of the heat-generating part.

A method for monitoring reduction in flow amount by use of a flowmeter is well known. However, this technology has some problems, including the problem that an accurate flow amount is not detectable when foreign matter is attached to a flowmeter, that space is required for arrangement of a flowmeter, and that a flowmeter is expensive in cost. Furthermore, since many heat-generating parts are disposed inside a laser device (oscillator), a large number of flowmeters corresponding to these parts are required, and thus the above-mentioned problems become greater.

Another technology is disclosed, for detecting a temperature of cooling water instead of a flow amount of cooling water. As an example, a light source device is disclosed, which detects a decrease in cooling capability of a heat sink due to a problem of cooling water, based on a reference temperature and a detected temperature of a current control element, and a reference temperature and a detected temperature of the heat sink (refer to Patent Document 2, as an example). A laser device is also disclosed, which detects a temperature of cooling water to detect an abnormality in a cooling mechanism depending on whether or not the detected temperature of the cooling water falls within a predetermined range (refer to Patent Document 3).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that, although temperature of a current control element, which is a heat-generating part, is measured by directly attaching a temperature measuring terminal to the current control element, a temperature of a laser cavity which is another heat-generating part is difficult to be measured directly.

In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 3, there is another problem that, although an abnormality in a cooling mechanism is detected through detection of a temperature of the cooling water, which specific part of the cooling mechanism has a problem cannot be detected.

Additionally, in the technologies in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, there are problems that a temperature measuring element and the like are expensive and that the attachment thereof takes time.

The object of the present invention is to provide a laser device capable of detecting overheating (abnormality) of a heat-generating part by detecting a temperature of a cooling member for cooling the heat-generating part.

(1) The present invention relates to a laser device (for example, a semiconductor laser device1, which is described below) including one or a plurality of heat-generating part(s) (for example, a power source element11, laser cavities12A to12N, and an optical component13, which are described below), one or a plurality of cooling member(s) (for example, cooling plates21,22A to22N,23, which are described below) being respectively disposed in contact with the one or plurality of heat-generating parts and containing a refrigerant flowing inside, one or a plurality of first temperature detection part(s) (for example, temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33, which are described below) respectively disposed on the one or plurality of cooling members to respectively detect the temperatures of the one or plurality of cooling members, and a monitoring part (for example, a monitoring part101, which is described below) capable of detecting an abnormality respectively in the one or plurality of cooling members based on temperature information including information on the temperatures detected by the one or plurality of first temperature detection parts.

(2) The laser device according to (1) further includes a refrigerant passage (for example, cooling water passage50, which is described below) which connects a cooling device (for example, a cooling equipment200, which is described below) disposed externally and the one or plurality of cooling members so as to allow the refrigerant to circulate inside, and which includes a supply passage (for example, a supply passage52, which is described below) for supplying the refrigerant from the cooling device to the one or plurality of cooling members, and a discharge passage (for example, a discharge passage56, which is described below) for returning the refrigerant from the one or plurality of cooling members to the cooling device, and a second temperature detection part (for example, a temperature detection part35, which is described below) disposed on the supply passage to detect a temperature of the supply passage (for example, a cooling water intake part40, which is described below). In the laser device, the monitoring part may detect an abnormality in the one or plurality of cooling members respectively, based on the temperature information including the information on the temperatures detected by the one or plurality of first temperature detection parts and information on the temperatures detected by the second temperature detection part.

(3) In the laser device according to (1) or (2), the monitoring part may calculate temperature integration information and/or temperature differential information corresponding to each of the one or plurality of cooling members based on the information included in the temperature information, and may further detect an abnormality in the one or plurality of cooling members respectively, based on the calculated temperature integration information and/or the calculated temperature differential information corresponding to each of the one or plurality of cooling members.

(4) The laser device according to (3) further includes one or a plurality of adjustment part(s) (for example, adjustment parts141,142A to142N,143, which are described below) capable of adjusting a temperature and/or a supply amount of the refrigerant supplied to the one or plurality of cooling members, and a control unit (for example, a control unit130, which is described below) capable of giving an instruction with respect to the temperature and/or the supply amount of the refrigerant to the one or plurality of adjustment parts. In the laser device, the monitoring part may output, when detecting the abnormality, abnormality detection information including the contents of the detected abnormality to the control unit, and the control unit may give the instruction for adjusting the temperature and/or the supply amount of the refrigerant to the one or plurality of adjustment parts based on the abnormality detection information output by the monitoring part.

(5) The laser device according to (4) further includes a housing (for example, a housing5, which is described later) for housing at least the one or plurality of heat-generating parts, the one or plurality of first temperature detection parts, and the one or plurality of cooling members, and an internal environment detection part (for example, a temperature/humidity detection part38, which is described below) capable of detecting a temperature and/or a humidity of an internal space in the housing. In the laser device, the control unit may give the instruction for adjusting the temperature and/or the supply amount of the refrigerant to the one or plurality of adjustment parts, based on the temperature and/or the humidity detected by the internal environment detection part, and the temperatures detected by the one or plurality of the first temperature detection parts.

The present invention is able to provide a laser device capable of detecting overheating (abnormality) of a heat-generating part by detecting a temperature of a cooling member for cooling the heat-generating part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. In the following descriptions with regard to the second embodiment and its succeeding embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

First Embodiment

First, a semiconductor laser device1(laser device) is described with reference toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor laser device1, which is a semiconductor laser device such as of a fiber laser or the like, has a laser oscillator2for resonating a laser beam to be output, as shown inFIG. 1. The laser oscillator2has a housing5, with various members and the like housed and disposed inside the housing5. The laser oscillator2is connected to a cooling equipment200(cooling device) which is disposed externally, so that cooling water W (refrigerant) can circulate therebetween.

The laser oscillator2has one or a plurality of heat-generating part(s). In the present embodiment, the laser-oscillator2includes a power source element11(heat-generating part), a plurality of laser cavities12A to12N (heat-generating parts), and an optical component13(heat-generating part). Each of these heat-generating parts needs to be cooled in order to suppress a decline in functionality and the like due to an increase in temperature. In particular, a laser cavity needs to be cooled because thermal energy of, for example, several tens of watts is generated proportionately to the optical output energy.

The power source element11, which is a heat-generating part, is cooled a cooling plate21. The power source element11is disposed in contact with the cooling plate21.

The plurality of laser cavities12A to12N, which are heat-generating parts, are cooled by cooling plates22A to22N, respectively. The plurality of laser cavities12A to12N are disposed in contact with the cooling plates22A to22N, respectively.

The optical component13, which is a heat-generating part, is cooled by a cooling plate23. The optical component13is disposed in contact with the cooling plate23.

The laser oscillator2further has one or a plurality of cooling member(s) respectively disposed in contact with one or a plurality of heat-generating part(s). In the present embodiment, the laser oscillator2includes the cooling plate21(cooling member) placed on the power source element11, the cooling plates22A to22N (cooling members) respectively placed on the laser cavities12A to12N, and the cooling plate23(cooling member) placed on the optical component13.

The cooling plate21is a member placed on the power source element11to cool the power source element11. The cooling plate21is configured to contain, for example, a plurality of electrothermal plate members disposed in layers so that the cooling water W can flow through each layer. A temperature detection part31(described below) is disposed on the cooling plate21to detect the temperature of the cooling plate21.

The cooling plates22A to22N are members respectively placed on the laser cavities12A to12N to cool the laser cavities12A to12N. For example, each of the cooling plates22A to22N is configured to contain a plurality of electrothermal plate members disposed in layers so that the cooling water W can flow through each layer. Temperature detection parts32A to32N (described below) are respectively disposed on the cooling plates22A to22N to detect the temperatures of the cooling plates22A to22N.

The cooling plate23is a member placed on the optical component13to cool the optical component13. For example, the cooling plate23is configured to contain, for example, a plurality of electrothermal plate members disposed in layers so that the cooling water W can flow through each layer. A temperature detection part33(described below) is disposed on the cooling plate23to detect the temperature of the cooling plate23.

The laser oscillator2further has one or a plurality of first temperature detection part(s) which are respectively placed on one or a plurality of cooling member(s) so as to be capable of respectively and continuously detecting the temperature(s) of the one or plurality of cooling member(s). In the present embodiment, the laser oscillator2includes the temperature detection part31(first temperature detection part), the temperature detection parts32A to32N (first temperature detection parts), and the temperature detection part33(first temperature detection part).

The temperature detection part31is placed on the cooling plate21on which the power source element11is placed. In the present embodiment, the temperature detection part31is a thermistor. The temperature detection part31is disposed in the downstream side of the flowing direction of the cooling water W on the cooling plate21. The temperature detection part31detects the temperature of the downstream side in the flowing direction of the cooling water W in the cooling plate21. The temperature detection part31indirectly detects, via the cooling plate21, the temperature of the cooling water W after cooling of the power source element11. The temperature detection part31continuously outputs information on the detected temperature to a monitoring part101.

Similarly, the temperature detection parts32A to32N are placed on the cooling plates22A to22N on which the laser cavities12A to12N are placed, respectively. In the present embodiment, the temperature detection parts32A to32N are thermistors. Each of the temperature detection parts32A to32N is disposed in the downstream side of the flowing direction of the cooling water W on the cooling plates22A to22N. The temperature detection parts32A to32N respectively detect the temperatures of the downstream side in the flowing direction of the cooling water W in the cooling plates22A to22N. The temperature detection parts32indirectly and respectively detect, via the cooling plates22A to22N, the temperature of the cooling water W after cooling of the laser cavities12A to12N. Each of the temperature detection parts32A to32N continuously outputs information on the detected temperature to the monitoring part101.

Similarly, the temperature detection part33is placed on the cooling plate23on which the optical component13is placed. In the present embodiment, the temperature detection part33is a thermistor. The temperature detection part33is disposed in the downstream side of the flowing direction of the cooling water W on the cooling plate23. The temperature detection part33detects the temperature of the downstream side in the flowing direction of the cooling water W in the cooling plate23. The temperature detection part33indirectly detects, via the cooling plate23, the temperature of the cooling water W after cooling of the optical component13. The temperature detection part33continuously outputs information on the detected temperature to the monitoring part101.

In the present embodiment, the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33are respectively disposed on the cooling plates, and thus the setting work and the replacement work thereof are performed easily. In the present embodiment, the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33are thermistors, which are inexpensive and smaller in size as compared with, for example, a flowmeter or the like. Therefore, the laser oscillator2is enabled to be downsized and also reduced in cost.

The laser oscillator2includes a cooling water passage50(refrigerant passage) which connects the cooling equipment200disposed externally and the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23. The cooling water passage50is configured so that the cooling water W (refrigerant) can circulate between the cooling equipment200and the inside of the laser oscillator2. The cooling water passage50includes a supply passage52for supplying the cooling water W from the cooling equipment200to the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23, and a discharge passage56for returning the cooling water W from the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23to the cooling equipment200.

The supply passage52includes a cooling water intake part40disposed in the upper stream side thereof, a main supply passage53, and branch supply passages54a,54bA to54bN, and54cfor respectively supplying the cooling water W to the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23.

The cooling water intake part40is a part to which the cooling water W from the cooling equipment200is first supplied. The cooling water intake part40may be a part of the main supply passage53, or may be a part where a predetermined amount of the cooling water W stays. In the present embodiment, the cooling water intake part40is formed with an electrothermal member.

A temperature detection part35(second temperature detection part) is disposed in contact with the cooling water intake part40. In the present embodiment, the temperature detection part35is placed on the cooling water intake part40. In the present embodiment, the temperature detection part35is a thermistor. The temperature detection part35detects the temperature of the cooling water intake part40(supply passage52). The temperature detection part35indirectly detects a temperature (T0) of the cooling water supplied to each cooling plate. The temperature detection part35continuously outputs information on the detected temperature to the monitoring part101.

The discharge passage56includes branch discharge passages58a,58bA to58bN, and58cfor respectively discharging the cooling water W from the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23, and a main discharge passage57joining these branch discharge passages for discharging the cooling water W to the cooling equipment200.

The laser oscillator2includes the monitoring part101, an informing part110, and a storage part120. The monitoring part101is configured to be capable of detecting an abnormality in the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23based on temperature information including the information on the temperatures continuously detected by the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33. The monitoring part101is configured to be capable of detecting an abnormality in each of the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23based on the temperature information including the information on the temperatures continuously detected by the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33. For example, when a temperature of a specific cooling plate rises, the monitoring part101detects an abnormality in the specific cooling plate. In this case, the cooling plate in which the abnormality has been detected may be clogged with the cooling water W in some cases. If the clogging is left as it is, the heat-generating part may be damaged by overheating.

The monitoring part101is further configured to be capable of detecting an abnormality in the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23based on temperature information including the information on the temperatures continuously detected by the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33, and the information on the temperature continuously detected by the temperature detection part35. For example, the monitoring part101calculates a difference in temperature between the temperature (T0) detected by the temperature detection part35and each of the temperatures (T1, TA to TN, T2) detected by the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33. Then, in the case where the difference in temperature with a specific cooling plate is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (threshold), the monitoring part101detects an abnormality in the specific cooling plate. The threshold for each cooling plate (heat-generating part) is stored in, for example, the storage part120. Further, for example, in the case where the monitoring part101detects all of the temperature (T0) detected by the temperature detection part35and the temperatures (T1, TA to TN, T2) detected by the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33rising, the monitoring part101detects an abnormality in the cooling equipment200.

The monitoring part101further calculates temperature integration information and/or temperature differential information corresponding to each of the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23based on the information included in the above-described temperature information, and also detects an abnormality in the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23based on the calculated temperature integration information and/or the calculated temperature differential information corresponding to each of the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23.

Specifically, the monitoring part101predicts heat accumulation in each cooling plate (heat-generating part) based on the temperature integration information. In the case where the heat accumulation (temperature integration) in a cooling plate (heat-generating part) is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the monitoring part101detects an abnormality in order to suppress damage by heat. The monitoring part101further detects a sharp rise in temperature in each cooling plate (heat-generating part) based on the temperature differential information. In the case of detecting a sharp rise in temperature based on the temperature differential information corresponding to each cooling plate, the monitoring part101detects an abnormality in a specific cooling plate.

In the case of detecting an abnormality, the monitoring part101outputs abnormality information including the contents of the abnormality to the informing part110.

The informing part110performs informing of predetermined information based on the abnormality information from the monitoring part101. For example, the informing part110performs informing of the cooling plate in which the abnormality has been detected, temperature information, and the like. The informing part110is, for example, an audio output device or a monitor.

The storage part120stores information on various thresholds each to be used as a detection reference by, for example, the monitoring part101.

Next, the operation of the semiconductor laser device1described with reference toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is a graph illustrating temperature states of respective heat-generating parts according to the first embodiment, and is a graph illustrating a normal state in (a), a state where the laser cavity12A has an abnormality in (b), and a state where the cooling equipment has an abnormality in (c).

First, in the semiconductor laser device1, the temperature detection part35continuously outputs information on the temperature (T0) of the cooling water intake part40to the monitoring part101. The temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33also output information on the temperatures (T1, TA to TN, T2) in the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23to the monitoring part101, respectively.

Thereafter, the monitoring part101continuously determines whether or not the temperature from each temperature detection part falls within a certain range (within a threshold) from a predetermined reference temperature. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2(a)toFIG. 2(c), in the present embodiment, the monitoring part101determines whether or not the temperature T0falls within a predetermined range from a reference temperature S0, and further determines whether or not each of the temperature T1, the temperatures TA to TN, and the temperature T2falls within a predetermined range from a reference temperature S.

Alternatively, the monitoring part101may be configured to calculate a difference in temperature with respect to each of the temperature T1, the temperatures TA to TN and the temperature T2against the temperature T0as a reference, and then to continuously determine whether or not each calculated difference in temperature falls within a predetermined range (within a threshold). Below, the operation of the monitoring part101determining whether or not the temperature T0falls within a predetermined range from the reference temperature S0, and further determining whether or not each of the temperature T1, the temperatures TA to TN, and the temperature T2falls within a predetermined range from the reference temperature S will be described.

As shown inFIG. 2(a), in the case where the temperature T0falls within a predetermined range from the reference temperature S0, and currently where each of the temperature T1, the temperatures TA to TN, and the temperature T2falls within a predetermined range from the reference temperature S, the monitoring part101detects no abnormalities in any of the cooling plates.

As shown inFIG. 2(b), in the case where the temperature T0falls within a predetermined range from the reference temperature S0, and concurrently where the temperature TA is outside a predetermined range (greater than a threshold value) from the reference temperature S, the monitoring part101detects an abnormality in the cooling plate22A. The monitoring part101outputs the detected abnormality information to the informing part110. Then, the informing part110performs informing of the contents of the abnormality. Thereby, a manager or other person performs work to eliminate clogging or the like in the cooling plate22A.

As shown inFIG. 2(c), in the case where all of the temperature T0, the temperature T1, the temperatures TA to TN, and the temperature T2rise (exceeding a predetermined range), the monitoring part101detects an abnormality in the cooling equipment200. The monitoring part101outputs information on the detected abnormality to the informing part110. Then, the informing part110performs informing of the contents of the abnormality. Thereby, a manager or the like performs work to eliminate a problem in the cooling equipment200.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects are produced.

More specifically, a laser device (semiconductor laser device1) according to the present embodiment is configured to include one or a plurality of heat-generating part(s) (power source element11, laser cavities12A to12N, optical component13), one or a plurality of cooling member(s) (cooling plates21,22A to22N,23) being respectively disposed in contact with the one or plurality of heat-generating part(s) and containing a refrigerant flowing inside, one or a plurality of first temperature detection part(s) (temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33) respectively disposed on the one or plurality of cooling member(s) to detect temperatures respectively in the one or plurality of cooling member(s), and a monitoring part (monitoring part101) capable of detecting an abnormality in the one or plurality of cooling member(s) respectively based on temperature information including information on the temperatures detected by the one or plurality of first temperature detection part(s). This enables detection of overheating (abnormality) of a heat-generating part by detecting the temperature of the cooling member for cooling the heat-generating part. In addition, since the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33are respectively disposed on the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23, the setting work and the replacement work thereof can be performed easily. In the present embodiment, the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33are thermistors, which are inexpensive and smaller in size as compared with, for example, a flowmeter or the like. Therefore, the laser oscillator2is enabled to be downsized and also reduced in cost.

The laser device according to the present embodiment is further configured to include a refrigerant passage (cooling water passage50) which connects a cooling device (cooling equipment200) disposed externally and one or a plurality of cooling member(s) so as to allow a refrigerant to circulate inside, and which includes a supply passage (supply passage52) for supplying the refrigerant from the cooling device to the one or plurality of cooling member(s) and a discharge passage (discharge passage56) for returning the refrigerant from the one or plurality of cooling member(s) to the cooling device, and to include a second temperature detection part (temperature detection part35) disposed on the supply passage to detect a temperature of the supply passage (cooling water intake part40). In the laser device, the monitoring part detects an abnormality in each of the one or plurality of cooling member(s), based on temperature information including information on the temperature(s) detected by the one or plurality of first temperature detection part(s) and information on the temperature detected by the second temperature detection part. This allows the laser device (monitoring part) to more accurately detect an abnormality in the cooling members. This also allows the laser device (monitoring part) to detect an abnormality in the cooling device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the monitoring part is configured to calculate temperature integration information and/or temperature differential information corresponding to each of the one or plurality of cooling member(s) based on the information included in the temperature information, and also detect an abnormality in each of the one or plurality of cooling member(s) based on the calculated temperature integration information and/or the calculated temperature differential information corresponding to each of the one or plurality of cooling member(s). This allows the laser device (monitoring part) to detect heat accumulation and/or a sharp rise in temperature in each cooling member (heat-generating part). This also allows the laser device (monitoring part) to more accurately detect an abnormality in each cooling member.

Second Embodiment

Next, a laser device according to the second embodiment is described with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 3, a semiconductor laser device1A includes a temperature/humidity detection part38(internal environment detection part), an adjustment part141, adjustment parts142A to142N, an adjustment part143, and a control unit130. The temperature/humidity detection part38(internal environment detection part) is configured to be capable of detecting a temperature and humidity of the internal space in the housing5. The temperature/humidity detection part38outputs information on the detected temperature and humidity of the internal space in the housing5to the monitoring part101.

The adjustment part141is disposed on the branch supply passage54a. The adjustment part141is configured to be capable of adjusting the flow amount and the temperature of the cooling water W supplied to the cooling plate21on which the power source element11is placed. Each of the adjustment parts142is configured with, for example, an electric valve and Peltier device (the same applies to other adjustment parts). The adjustment part141adjusts the flow amount and the temperature of the cooling water W based on an instruction from the control unit130.

Each of the adjustment parts142A to142N is disposed on each of the branch supply passages54bA to54bN. Each of the adjustment parts142A to142N is configured to be capable of adjusting the flow amount and the temperature of the cooling water W supplied to each of the cooling plates22A to22N on which each of the laser cavities12A to12N is placed. Each of the adjustment parts142A to142N adjusts the flow amount and the temperature of the cooling water W based on an instruction from the control unit130.

The adjustment part143is disposed on the branch supply passage54c. The adjustment part143is configured to be capable of adjusting the flow amount and the temperature of the cooling water W supplied to the cooling plate23on which the optical component13is placed. The adjustment part143adjusts the flow amount and the temperature of the cooling water W based on an instruction from the control unit130.

The control unit130gives an instruction for adjusting the temperature and/or the supply amount of the refrigerant to the one or plurality of adjustment parts based on the abnormality information output by the monitoring part101. Specifically, when detecting an abnormality, the monitoring part101outputs the abnormality information including the detected contents of the abnormality to the control unit130. Then, the control unit130gives an instruction for adjusting the temperature and/or the supply amount of the cooling water W to a specific adjustment part, based on the abnormality information output by the monitoring part101. For example, the control unit130gives, to a specific adjustment part, an instruction for increasing the supply amount of the cooling water W while lowering the temperature thereof, based on information on temperature and information for specifying a cooling plate included in the abnormality information. The control unit130controls each adjustment part to strengthen cooling conditions of the cooling plate where the abnormality is detected, so as to prevent a corresponding heat-generating part from overheating.

The control unit130is configured to be capable of controlling each adjustment part for the purpose of suppressing dew condensation from being produced and eliminating the state of dew condensation inside the housing5. The control unit130gives an instruction for adjusting the temperature and/or the supply amount of the cooling water to all or some of the adjustment part141, the adjustment parts142A to142N, and the adjustment part143, based on the temperature and/or the humidity detected by the temperature/humidity detection part38, and the temperatures detected by the temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33.

Specifically, the control unit130gives an instruction for raising the temperature of the cooling water W and/or reducing the supply amount of the cooling part W, to all or some of the adjustment part141, the adjustment parts142A to142N, and the adjustment part143, based on the information on dew condensation output by the monitoring part101. The control unit130may set the temperature and/or the supply amount of the cooling water W mainly based on the temperature, or may perform setting based on a predetermined calculation formula or based on a predetermined database.

Next, the operation of the semiconductor laser device1A according to the second embodiment is described with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a graph illustrating temperature states of respective heat-generating parts according to the second embodiment, and is a graph illustrating a state where the power source element and the laser cavity12A respectively have abnormalities in (a), and a state after the adjustment in (b).

First, in the semiconductor laser device1A, the temperature detection part35continuously outputs information on the temperature (T0) of the cooling water intake part40to the monitoring part101. The temperature detection parts31,32A to32N,33also respectively output information on the temperatures (T1, TA to TN, T2) of the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23to the monitoring part101.

Thereafter, the monitoring part101continuously determines whether or not a temperature from each of the temperature detection parts exceeds a predetermined temperature (threshold). In the present embodiment, the monitoring part101determines whether or not the temperature T0exceeds a threshold temperature X0, and further determines whether or not the temperature T1exceeds a threshold temperature X1, whether or not each of the temperatures TA to TN exceeds a threshold temperature X, and whether or not the temperature T2exceeds a threshold temperature X2.

As shown inFIG. 4(a), in the case where the temperature T1exceeds the threshold temperature X1and concurrently where the temperature TA exceeds the threshold temperature X, the monitoring part101detects an abnormality in the cooling plate21and the cooling plate22A. The monitoring part101outputs the detected abnormality information to the informing part110. Then, the informing part110performs informing of the contents of the abnormality.

The monitoring part101also outputs the detected abnormality information to the control unit130. The control unit130controls the adjustment part141and the adjustment part142A based on the abnormality information output by the monitoring part101. Specifically, the control unit130gives an instruction for increasing the supply amount of the cooling water N while lowering the temperature thereof to each of the adjustment part141and the adjustment part142A.

Both the adjustment part141and the adjustment part142A perform adjustment so as to increase the supply amount of the cooling water N and lower the temperature thereof supplied to both the cooling plate21and the cooling plate22A, based on an instruction from the control unit130.

Next, as shown inFIG. 4(b), in the case where the temperature T1becomes equal to or lower than the threshold temperature X1and concurrently where the temperature TA becomes equal to or lower than the threshold temperature X, the monitoring part101no longer detects an abnormality in the cooling plate21or the cooling plate22A. The monitoring part101outputs, to the informing part110, information indicating that the abnormality has been eliminated. Thereafter, the informing part110stops informing of the contents of the abnormality.

The monitoring part101outputs, also to the control unit130, information indicating that the abnormality has been eliminated. The control unit130controls the adjustment part141and the adjustment part142A based on the elimination information output by the monitoring part101. The control unit130gives an instruction for, for example, maintaining the temperature and the supply amount of the cooling water W to both the adjustment part141and the adjustment part142A.

Both the adjustment part141and the adjustment part142A adjusts, for example, the temperature and the supply amount of the cooling water W supplied to both the cooling plate21and the cooling plate22A, based on an instruction from the control unit130.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects are produced. A laser device (semiconductor laser device1A) according to the present embodiment is configured to include one or a plurality of adjustment part(s) (adjustment parts141,142A to142N,143) capable of adjusting the temperature and/or the supply amount of the refrigerant supplied to one or a plurality of cooling member(s), and a control unit (control unit130) capable of giving an instruction with respect to the temperature and/or the supply amount of the refrigerant to the one or plurality of adjustment part(s). In the laser device, when detecting an abnormality, a monitoring part outputs abnormality detection information including the detected contents of the abnormality to a control unit, and the control unit gives an instruction for adjusting the temperature and/or the supply amount of the refrigerant to the one or plurality of adjustment part(s) based on the abnormality detection information output by the monitoring part. This allows for automatic adjustment in the temperature and/or the supply amount of a cooling water W supplied to a cooling plate, even in the case where clogging or the like is generated in the cooling plate, thereby enabling to suppress breakage of a heat-generating part due to overheating. In addition, this also allows for a reduction of the number of times of performing maintenance work, which requires stopping of the operation thereof, to eliminate clogging or the like.

The laser device according to the present embodiment is further configured to include a housing (housing5) which houses at least one or a plurality of heat-generating part(s), one or a plurality of first temperature detection part(s), and one or a plurality of cooling member(s), and an internal environment detection part (temperature/humidity detection part38) capable of detecting the temperature and/or the humidity of the internal space in the housing. In the laser device, the control unit gives an instruction for adjusting the temperature and/or the supply amount of the refrigerant to the one or plurality of adjustment part(s), based on the temperature and/or the humidity detected by the internal environment detection part and the temperature(s) detected by the one or plurality of first temperature detection part(s). This enables to suppress condensation from being produced in the internal space of the housing5, and further to eliminate the produced condensation.

Next, a laser device according to a modification of the second embodiment is described with reference toFIG. 5. FIG.5is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser device according to the modification of the second embodiment. The components different from those of the second embodiment are described below, and descriptions of the same components as those of the second embodiment are omitted.

As shown inFIG. 5, a laser oscillator2B in a semiconductor laser device1B includes an adjustment part145. In the present modification, the laser oscillator2B is configured to have one adjustment part145disposed on the main supply passage53, instead of having a plurality of adjustment parts respectively disposed on the branch supply passages54a,54bA to54bN,54c. The adjustment part145unitarily adjusts the temperature and the supply amount of the cooling water W to be supplied to each of the cooling plates21,22A to22N,23based on an instruction from the control unit130.

The control unit130gives, to the adjustment part145, an instruction for adjusting the temperature and the supply amount of the cooling water W suitable for cooling, for example, the cooling plate having the highest temperature based on the abnormality information from the monitoring part101.

According to the present modification, the number of adjustment parts is smaller than that of the semiconductor laser device of the second embodiment, which enables a reduction in cost.

It is noted that, as another modification of the second embodiment, the plurality of adjustment parts141,142A to142N,143may be respectively disposed on the branch supply passages54a,54bA to54bN,54c, and in addition, one adjustment part145may be disposed on the main supply passage53.

The first embodiment and the second embodiment have been described so far, but the present invention is not limited to them. The present invention naturally includes modifications and improvements within the scope where the object of the present invention is achieved. In the above-described embodiments, the monitoring part, the control unit and the like are disposed inside the housing, but the present invention is not limited to such cases. Alternatively, they may be disposed, for example, outside the housing or disposed integrally with the cooling equipment.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS