Patent Description:
Material processing systems, such as plasma, laser or liquid jet cutting systems, are widely used in the heating, cutting, gouging and marking of materials. For example, a plasma arc torch generally includes an electrode, a nozzle having a central exit orifice mounted within a torch body, electrical connections, passages for cooling, and passages for arc control fluids (e.g., plasma gas). In operation, the plasma arc torch produces a plasma arc, which is a constricted jet of an ionized gas with high temperature and sufficient momentum to assist with removal of molten metal. A liquid jet cutting system, which includes multiple consumables (e.g., a nozzle and an orifice in a cutting head), is configured to cut a workpiece by applying a jet of liquid, such as water, at high velocity to rapidly erode the workpiece. A laser cutting system, which generally includes a nozzle, a gas stream, an optical system, and a high-power laser for generating a laser beam, is configured to pass the laser beam and gas stream through the nozzle to impinge upon a workpiece to cut or otherwise modify the workpiece.

Connection mechanisms can be used to couple various components together in a material processing system. In some cases, these connection mechanisms can facilitate quick connection and disconnection of the components. In general, connection mechanisms have been available for pneumatic (air hoses) as well as hydraulic lines. Of these, a few connection designs support "push fit", "push lock", or "push to connect" type locking mechanisms that allow installation of a male component (e.g., a plug) into a female component (e.g., a receiver/holder) until the male component is locked into place. Removal of the male component requires retraction of a sleeve that interfaces mechanically with the locking units between the male and female components, which in turn allows these locking units to fall out of contact with the mated male component such that the male component is free for removal from the female component. In these designs, removal of the sleeve does not necessitate the disengagement of the locking units, which is accomplished instead via gravity or application of additional external force. These designs have extended into the material processing space, such as for a laser nozzle in a laser cutting system where alignment of the laser nozzle within the system is more crucial than that of the air hoses. In these laser cutting systems, locking units are typically of the following type: balls, bars, or pins. <FIG> shows a prior art pneumatic connection mechanism <NUM> employing a set of one or more locking balls <NUM> as the locking unit between a male component <NUM> and a female component <NUM>. The male component <NUM> can be a plug, and the female component <NUM> can be a socket. As described above, a retractable sleeve <NUM> can be coupled to the female component <NUM> and configured to be translated away from the locking balls <NUM> by a spring mechanism <NUM> to permit the release of the locking balls <NUM> relative to the male component <NUM> without mechanically actuating the withdrawal of the locking balls <NUM> from the engaged position. Instead, the locking balls <NUM> are withdrawn by rolling backward in the channel by gravity or from the disengagement force applied to the male component <NUM>. In some embodiments, an O-ring <NUM> is used to provide an air-tight seal and minimize air flow in the vicinity.

<FIG> shows another prior art pneumatic connection mechanism that includes a female component <NUM> employing a set of one or more locking pins <NUM> for engagement with a male component (not shown). The male component can be disposed into the female component <NUM> via a distal opening <NUM> that is located opposite of the proximal end <NUM> of the female component <NUM>. A retractable sleeve <NUM> can be coupled to the female component <NUM> and configured to be translated away from the locking pins <NUM> by a spring mechanism <NUM> to release the locking pins <NUM> relative to the male component without actuating the withdrawal of the locking pins <NUM> from the engaged position. In general, the connection mechanism of <FIG> operates in substantially the same manner as the mechanism of <FIG> with the exception of the usage of the locking pins <NUM> instead of the locking balls <NUM>. In some embodiments, a pressurized gas is released when the male component is fully inserted into the female component <NUM>. Specifically, the male component is adapted to depress a spring <NUM> connected to a valve <NUM> to separate the valve <NUM> from a valve seal <NUM>, thereby creating a gap through which the pressurized gas travels.

<FIG> show yet another prior art pneumatic connection mechanism that includes a female component <NUM> employing a set of one or more locking bars <NUM> for engagement with a male component (not shown). Specifically, <FIG> shows the female component <NUM> with three locking bars <NUM>, and <FIG> shows the female component <NUM> with two locking bars <NUM>. To engage the male component, the locking bars <NUM> of the female component <NUM> are adapted to roll into their respective grooves (not shown) on the wall of the hollow body <NUM> of the female component <NUM> for engagement with the male component disposed inside of the hollow body <NUM>. A retractable sleeve <NUM> can be coupled to the female component <NUM> and configured to be translated away from the locking bars <NUM> by a spring mechanism <NUM> to release the locking bars <NUM> for subsequent withdrawal from their respective grooves. Similar to the prior art designs of <FIG>, translation of the sleeve <NUM> away from the locking bars <NUM> does not actively drive the withdrawal of the locking bars <NUM> from the engaged position. Instead, the locking bars <NUM> are withdrawn by rolling backward in their respective grooves by gravity or from the disengagement force applied to the male component. Further, in this design, movement of the locking bars <NUM> relative to their grooves is confined to the radial plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the female component <NUM>, which may prevent the locking bars <NUM> from being fully seated in their respective grooves to achieve a tight tolerance fit with the male component in the hollow body <NUM> of the female component <NUM>.

<FIG> shows yet another prior art pneumatic connection mechanism that includes a female component <NUM> employing a set of one or more locking pins <NUM> for engagement with a male component (not shown). The male component can be disposed into the hollow body <NUM> of the female component <NUM> via a distal opening <NUM> that is located opposite of the proximal end <NUM> of the female component <NUM>. To engage the male component, the locking pins <NUM> of the female component <NUM> are adapted to be inserted into their respective channels on the wall of the hollow body <NUM> of the female component <NUM> for engagement with the male component inside of the hollow body <NUM>. A retractable sleeve <NUM> can be coupled to the female component <NUM> and configured to be translated away from the locking pins <NUM> by a spring mechanism <NUM> to release the locking pins <NUM> for subsequent withdrawal from their respective channels. Again, similar to the prior art designs of <FIG>, translation of the sleeve <NUM> away from the locking pins <NUM> does not actively drive the withdrawal of the locking pins <NUM> from the engaged position. Instead, the locking pins <NUM> are withdrawn by rolling backward in their respective channels by gravity or from the disengagement force applied to the male component. In some embodiments, a pressurized gas is released when the male component is fully inserted into the female component <NUM>, which depresses a spring <NUM> connected to a valve <NUM> to separate the valve <NUM> from a valve washer <NUM>, thereby creating a gap through which the pressurized gas travels.

In general, the ball, pin and bar locking units in the exemplary pneumatic connection mechanisms of <FIG> are complex, difficult to manufacture, generate inconsistent engagement, and provide limited tolerance alignment via the relatively large contact areas where the mating components meet. In some cases, these designs produce an inconsistent and/or undesirable holding force on components as a result of their indirect application of retention force. For example, the pins, balls or bars of the prior art female components may not be fully inserted in their channels when making contact with the male component in the engaged position, thus cannot guarantee tight retention of the male component to the female component. In addition, these designs require multiple steps for disengaging the male component from the female component, such as retracting the sleeve followed by orienting the components to facilitate disengagement by gravity or pushing on the male component a certain way to achieve disengagement. Thus, there is a need for connection mechanism designs that remedy these deficiencies while supporting quick connect and disconnect of components in a material processing system, such as between a nozzle and a nozzle holder in a laser cutting system.

The present invention provides a locking mechanism for material processing systems with industrial cutting components (e.g., laser consumables, laser nozzles, plasma cutting consumables, plasma nozzles, plasma electrodes, plasma cartridges, plasma torches, etc.). In some embodiments, the locking mechanism of the present invention can support interchangeability with existing systems/products (e.g., existing laser nozzles). In general, the instant locking mechanism improves alignment of the mating components using smaller contact areas while offering reliable, easy and quick connection and disconnection, as well as improved holding force using direct application of retention force (e.g., applied in both axial and radial directions).

The present invention, in one aspect, defines a nozzle holder for a laser processing head of a laser processing system according to claim <NUM>.

In another aspect, the present invention defines a method for engaging and disengaging a laser nozzle relative to a nozzle holder of a laser processing head in a laser processing system according to claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the method also includes applying a force in a proximal direction on the pawl retractor that is in physical contact with a distal flange of each of the plurality of pawls and displacing, radially and longitudinally by the pawl retractor; the plurality of pawls away from respective ones of the plurality of apertures, thereby disengaging the laser nozzle from the nozzle holder.

Any of the above aspects can include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of pawls defines a pawl body having a proximal portion and a distal portion with a second longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The distal portion is configured to facilitate engagement of the pawl with the laser nozzle and the proximal portion is configured to facilitate disengagement of the pawl from the laser nozzle. In some embodiments, the second longitudinal axis is oriented at a non-normal angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body when at least a portion of the pawl body is located within the corresponding aperture.

In some embodiments, the distal portion of each pawl includes a substantially globular tip configured to extend through the corresponding aperture to engage with a complementarily-shaped groove of the laser nozzle. In some embodiments, the proximal portion of each pawl includes at least one flange configured to maintain physical contact with the pawl retractor of the sleeve. In some embodiments, the flange extends in a normal direction relative to the second longitudinal axis of the pawl body. In some embodiments, the pawl retractor is configured to engage the flanges of respective ones of the plurality of pawls to physically displace the pawls and retract the pawls from the plurality of apertures for disengagement from the laser nozzle.

In some embodiments, the plurality of pawls comprise three pawls located about <NUM> degrees apart circumferentially about the hollow body.

In some embodiments, the sleeve includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is configured to connect to the hollow body, and the distal portion includes the pawl retractor. In some embodiments, the sleeve further includes a thread engagement section disposed on an interior surface of the sleeve at the proximal portion. The thread engagement section is configured to matingly engage a cutting head of the laser processing system.

In some embodiments, the sleeve further includes a spring disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. In some embodiments, the spring is configured to exert a biasing force to axially and radially displace the plurality of pawls relative to the longitudinal axis such that the plurality of pawls extend through the respective ones of the plurality of apertures to engage the laser nozzle. In some embodiments, when the spring is extended, the plurality of pawls are adapted to create an effective inner diameter of the hollow body that is smaller than an outer diameter of the laser nozzle. In some embodiments, the pawl retractor maintains physical contact with a proximal portion of each of the plurality of pawls. The pawl retractor is slidable along the longitudinal axis and configured to overcome the biasing force of the spring to radially and axially displace the pawls away from respective ones of the apertures for disengagement from the laser nozzle.

In some embodiments, the hollow body, the plurality of pawls and the sleeve are made from at least one electrically conductive material. The nozzle holder can form a conductive current path therethrough. In some embodiments, a sealing surface is disposed on the inner wall of the hollow body. The sealing surface is configured to receive an O-ring that sealingly engages a corresponding surface of the laser nozzle retained to the nozzle holder by the plurality of pawls.

The advantages of the invention described above, together with further advantages, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> show a sectional view and an exploded view, respectively, of a female component <NUM> prior to engagement to a male component <NUM> of a material processing system, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The male and female component <NUM>, <NUM> incorporate complementary, pneumatic push-fit connection mechanisms that enable their engagement and disengagement relative to each other. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the male component is illustrated as a laser nozzle <NUM> for a laser cutting system, and the female component is illustrated as a laser holder <NUM> of the laser cutting system. Upon engagement of the male and female connection mechanisms of these two components, at least a portion of the laser nozzle <NUM> is disposed in and removably engaged to the nozzle holder <NUM>. As understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the connection mechanisms of <FIG> can be easily adapted to connect other components of a laser cutting system, or components of a different industrial material processing system, such as a plasma or waterjet cutting system.

As shown in <FIG>, the nozzle holder <NUM> generally includes (i) a substantially cylindrical hollow body <NUM> shaped to matingly receive and engage the laser nozzle <NUM>, (ii) multiple pawls <NUM> disposed about the hollow body <NUM>, and (iii) a sleeve <NUM> coupled to the hollow body <NUM> while substantially surrounding at least a section of the hollow body <NUM> and the pawls <NUM>. The hollow body <NUM> of the nozzle holder <NUM> defines a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM> with a longitudinal axis A extending therethrough. The distal end <NUM> is the end that is closest to a workpiece during an operation of the laser head in which the nozzle holder <NUM> is installed, and the proximal end <NUM> is opposite of the distal end <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the hollow body <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> for receiving the laser nozzle <NUM>. In addition, multiple apertures <NUM> are dispersed around a circumference of the hollow body <NUM>, where each aperture <NUM> extends from an inner wall <NUM> to an outer wall <NUM> of the hollow body <NUM>. In some embodiments, three or more apertures <NUM> are disposed evenly around a circumference of the hollow body <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM> degrees apart circumferentially about the hollow body <NUM>).

The multiple pawls <NUM> of the holder <NUM> are configured to operably engage the laser nozzle <NUM> within the hollow body <NUM> by extending through respective ones of the multiple apertures <NUM> of the hollow body <NUM>. The pawls <NUM> are generally located around an outer circumference of the hollow body <NUM> at about the same radial locations as the apertures <NUM>. In some embodiments, three or more pawls <NUM> are disposed evenly around an outer circumference of the hollow body <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM> degrees apart circumferentially about the hollow body <NUM>). <FIG> shows an exemplary configuration of a pawl <NUM> of the connection mechanism for the female component (e.g., the nozzle holder) <NUM> of <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, each pawl <NUM> defines a pawl body <NUM> having a proximal portion <NUM> and a distal portion <NUM> with a longitudinal axis B extending therebetween. The distal portion <NUM> of the pawl body <NUM> is configured to facilitate engagement of the pawl <NUM> with the laser nozzle <NUM> located in the hollow body <NUM>. For example, the distal portion <NUM> of each pawl body <NUM> can include a substantially curved (e.g., globular) tip configured to extend through the corresponding aperture <NUM> in the hollow body <NUM> to engage with a complementarily-shaped groove <NUM> of the laser nozzle <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). The proximal portion <NUM> of each pawl body <NUM> is configured to facilitate disengagement of the pawl <NUM> from the laser nozzle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the proximal portion <NUM> of the pawl body <NUM> includes at least one flange <NUM> that extends substantially perpendicular (i.e., normal) to the longitudinal axis B of the pawl body <NUM>. The flange <NUM> of the pawl <NUM> is adapted to contact a portion of the sleeve <NUM> of the nozzle holder <NUM>, where the sleeve <NUM> can displace the pawl <NUM> away from the groove <NUM> and the aperture <NUM>, thereby disengaging the nozzle holder <NUM> from the laser nozzle <NUM>. Details regarding these disengagement features are described below.

With respect to <FIG>, the sleeve <NUM> of the nozzle holder <NUM> is coupled to the hollow body <NUM> and substantially surrounds at least a portion of the outer wall <NUM> of the hollow body <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> includes a distal portion <NUM>, a proximal portion <NUM> and a spring <NUM> disposed between the distal and proximal portions <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the proximal portion <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> is configured to couple the sleeve <NUM> to the hollow body <NUM>, such as via press fit. In some embodiments, the proximal portion <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> can include one or more thread engagement sections <NUM> disposed on an interior surface to matingly engage a cutting head (not shown).

The sleeve <NUM> also substantially surrounds the pawls <NUM> such that at least a portion of each pawl <NUM> (e.g., the proximal portion <NUM>) is disposed between the distal portion <NUM> and the proximal portion <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>. <FIG> show an exploded view and a partial cross-sectional view, respectively of a pawl <NUM> in relation to various elements of the sleeve <NUM> of the female component (e.g., the nozzle holder) <NUM> of <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The distal end of the spring <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> can be in physical communication with the proximal portion <NUM> of each pawl <NUM>, either directly contacting the proximal portion <NUM> or via an intermediate translator <NUM> sandwiched between the spring <NUM> and the pawl <NUM>. In some embodiments, the intermediate translator <NUM> is configured as a ramp that drives/guides the corresponding pawl <NUM> into the respective aperture <NUM> during engagement or away from the aperture <NUM> during disengagement. The proximal end of the spring <NUM> can be in physical communication with (e.g., directly contacting) the proximal portion <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>, which is affixed to the hollow body <NUM> as described above. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the spring <NUM> is affixed to the proximal portion <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is configured to exert a biasing force in the distal direction on the proximal portion <NUM> of each pawl <NUM>, either via direct contact or via the intermediate translator <NUM>, to axially and radially (e.g., diagonally) displace the pawl <NUM> relative to longitudinal axis A, such that the pawl <NUM> extends through its corresponding aperture <NUM> in the hollow body <NUM>.

Thus, when the spring <NUM> is in its extended position and no compression force is applied to the spring <NUM>, at least a portion of each pawl <NUM> is urged to nest within its corresponding aperture <NUM>. Further, longitudinal axis B of each pawl body <NUM> is oriented at a non-normal angle relative to longitudinal A axis of the hollow body <NUM> while each pawl <NUM> resides in its corresponding aperture <NUM>. Such positioning occurs when the nozzle holder <NUM> is ready for engagement with the laser nozzle <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, where the distal ends <NUM> of the pawls <NUM> are exposed and protrude from the inner wall <NUM> of the hollow body <NUM>. Such positioning also occurs after the engagement of the nozzle <NUM> with the nozzle holder <NUM>, where the globular tip of each pawl <NUM> provides a narrow precise surface that contacts and locks into the groove <NUM> of the laser nozzle <NUM> once the laser nozzle <NUM> is inserted into the nozzle holder <NUM>. <FIG> show a sectional view and a side view, respectively, of the female component (e.g., the nozzle holder) <NUM> and the male component (e.g., the laser nozzle) <NUM> of <FIG> after engagement, according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, when the spring <NUM> is extended in an engaged position between the male and female components <NUM>, <NUM>, the pawls <NUM> nest in their respective apertures <NUM> with their globular tips at the distal end <NUM> inter-fit with groove <NUM> of the laser nozzle <NUM>. Thus, in the engaged position, the pawls <NUM> are adapted to create an effective inner diameter of the hollow body <NUM> that is smaller than an outer diameter of the laser nozzle <NUM>. Because the pawls <NUM> are translatable within their respective apertures <NUM> in both radial and axial directions, they can create a dynamic/adjustable inner diameter that precisely fit the groove <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> (e.g., dynamically adjustable to achieve a tolerance fit). Further, in the engaged position, direct and precise contact between the nozzle holder <NUM> and nozzle <NUM> is achieved via the pawls <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the distal portion <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> is adapted to define a pawl retractor <NUM> that maintains physical contact with the proximal portion <NUM>, such as the flange <NUM>, of each pawl <NUM>. The pawl retractor <NUM> is translatable/slidable along longitudinal axis A. The pawl retractor <NUM> is configured to engage the flanges <NUM> of the respective pawls <NUM> and, upon receiving an external force in the proximal direction, to overcome the biasing force of the spring <NUM> and physically displace/retract the pawls <NUM> from their apertures <NUM> for disengagement from the laser nozzle <NUM>. Because the flange <NUM> is angled at a non-normal direction with respective to longitudinal axis A of the hollow body <NUM>, the force exerted by the pawl retractor <NUM> on the flange <NUM> causes displacement of the pawl <NUM> both axially and radially (e.g., diagonally) relative to longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the external force applied to the pawl retractor <NUM> for the purpose of disengagement is from a human operator or a changing machine.

In some embodiments, the nozzle holder <NUM> includes a sealing surface disposed on the inner wall <NUM> of the hollow body <NUM>. The sealing surface configured to receive an O-ring <NUM> that sealingly engages a corresponding surface of the laser nozzle <NUM> retained to the nozzle holder <NUM> by the pawls <NUM> in the engaged position. In some embodiments, the hollow body <NUM>, the plurality of pawls <NUM> and the sleeve <NUM> are made from at least one electrically conductive material, such as the same conductive material or different conductive materials. Thus, the nozzle holder <NUM> can form a conductive current path therethrough for conducting a current to and from the laser nozzle <NUM> upon engagement.

In general, the usage of the pawls <NUM> in the female component (e.g., the nozzle holder) <NUM> for engagement with the male component (e.g., the laser nozzle <NUM>) provides a closer and more precise location of contact between the two components <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., at the tip/distal portions <NUM> of the pawls). Thus, the force used to engage the two components <NUM>, <NUM> is more directly applied for enhanced security. In addition, locating the retraction mechanism at the proximal portions <NUM> of the pawls <NUM> (e.g., at the flange <NUM>) allows the pawls <NUM> to reside closer to the entry/exit port adjacent to the distal opening <NUM> of the nozzle holder <NUM>. This enables easier installation and removal of the male component <NUM> relative to the female component <NUM> and provides a better retaining force than that of the prior art designs of <FIG>, as the pawls <NUM> of the female component <NUM> applies a more direct force from the spring <NUM> to the male component <NUM> for a more secured connection closer to the workpiece. In some embodiments, longitudinal and radial alignment between the male and female components <NUM>, <NUM> is more precise as the exact contact points at the tips of the pawls <NUM> are known as opposed to the prior art arrangements of <FIG> where contact can occur across a large surface of any of the rods or pins, which can lead to an unbalanced connection across the one or more rods or pins. Further, because the pawls <NUM> reside in the retraction mechanism itself (e.g., in physical contact with the pawl retractor <NUM>), the pawls <NUM> are pulled away by the pawl retractor <NUM> during disengagement whereas additional pushing force needs to be applied to the male component to achieve disengagement or the components need to be oriented in a certain way to encourage disengagement by gravity.

<FIG> shows an exemplary process <NUM> for operating the connection mechanisms of the female and male components of <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present invention. At step <NUM>, the male component (e.g., the laser nozzle) <NUM> is provided, where the laser nozzle <NUM> includes a connection feature, such as the groove <NUM> that is circumferentially disposed around an outer surface of the nozzle <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the female component (e.g., the nozzle holder <NUM>) is provided for engagement with the male component <NUM>. To engage the nozzle <NUM> and the nozzle holder <NUM>, the nozzle <NUM> is first disposed into the substantially cylindrical hollow body <NUM> of the nozzle holder <NUM> via the distal opening <NUM> of the hollow body <NUM> (step <NUM>). The spring <NUM> in the sleeve <NUM> of the nozzle holder <NUM> that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the outer wall <NUM> of the hollow body <NUM> is configured to bias one or more pawls <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> for engagement with the nozzle <NUM> in the hollow body <NUM> (step <NUM>). Specifically, the spring <NUM> is adapted to exert a biasing force in the distal direction on the proximal portion <NUM> of each pawl <NUM>, via either direct contact with the proximal portion <NUM> or an intermediate translator <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>. The force exerted by the spring <NUM> is adapted to displace the pawls <NUM> both radially and longitudinally with respect to longitudinal axis A of the hollow body <NUM>, such that the pawls <NUM> extend through their corresponding apertures <NUM> on the hollow body <NUM> (step <NUM>). Extension of the pawls <NUM> through the apertures <NUM> allow the distal portion <NUM> of each pawl <NUM> to inter-fit into the groove <NUM> of the laser nozzle <NUM> within the hollow body <NUM>, thereby realizing a secure engagement between the laser nozzle <NUM> and the nozzle holder <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A nozzle holder (<NUM>) for a laser processing head of a laser processing system, the nozzle holder comprising:
a hollow body (<NUM>) shaped to matingly engage a laser nozzle, the hollow body defining a longitudinal axis extending therethrough,
the nozzle holder (<NUM>) being characterized by the following:
the hollow body (<NUM>) further defining a plurality of apertures (<NUM>) dispersing around a circumference of the hollow body, each aperture extending from an inner wall to an outer wall of the hollow body;
a plurality of pawls (<NUM>) configured to operably engage the laser nozzle within the hollow body, wherein each pawl has (i) a distal portion (<NUM>) configured to extend through a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures of the hollow body to operably engage the laser nozzle and (ii) a proximal portion (<NUM>) configured to facilitate disengagement of the pawl from the laser nozzle; and
a sleeve (<NUM>) coupled to the hollow body while substantially surrounding at least a portion of the hollow body and the plurality of pawls, the sleeve including a pawl retractor that is movable along the longitudinal axis with the sleeve to apply an external force on the proximal portions of the plurality of pawls to physically displace the plurality of pawls axially and radially relative to the longitudinal axis away from the hollow body for disengagement of the plurality of pawls from the laser nozzle, wherein the pawl retractor maintains physical contact with a proximal portion (<NUM>) of each of the plurality of pawls.