US3571748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for directing output of optical masers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-04-04
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Granted: 1971-03-23
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Expires: 1988-04-04
Abstract
Abstract Aiming apparatus for an optical maser. Low-intensity light is projected toward the optical maser and its direction is adjusted so that the light is perpendicular to the end face of the optical maser form which the radiant energy is emitted, i.e., the lowintensity light is transmitted along the optical axis subsequently followed by the beam of radiant energy from the optical maser. The low-intensity light is then aimed at a target as desired by adjustment of an optical system. The subsequently emitted beam of radiant energy follows the same path toward the target. The high-intensity beam of radiant energy is thus properly aimed before firing.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J Koester
- 👤 Elias Snitzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:35
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Maser apparatus comprising optical maser means having a pair of plane, parallel, reflective opposite end surfaces, said optical maser means being actuable to emit high-intensity laser light from one of said surfaces in a single direction perpendicular to the plane of said one surface, alignment light source means, means mounted in said apparatus for projecting alignment light from said alignment light source means toward a selected one of said optical maser surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said selected surface so that part of said alignment light is transmitted in said single direction, and means for directing said part of said alignment light transmitted in said single direction along a selected path to a selected target prior to actuation of said optical maser means such that said optical maser means can thereafter be actuated to direct high-intensity laser light emitted from said optical maser means along said selected path to said selected target.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Maser apparatus comprising optical maser means having a pair of plane, parallel, reflective opposite end surfaces, said optical maser means being actuable to emit high-intensity laser light from one of said surfaces in a single direction perpendicular to the plane of said one surface, alignment light source means, means mounted in said apparatus for projecting alignment light from said alignment light source means toward a selected one of said optical maser surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said selected surface so that part of said alignment light is transmitted in said single direction, and means for directing said part of said alignment light transmitted in said single direction along a selected path to a selected target prior to actuation of said optical maser means such that said optical maser means can thereafter be actuated to direct high-intensity laser light emitted from said optical maser means along said selected path to said selected target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
Maser apparatus comprising optical maser means having a pair of plane, parallel reflecting surfaces, said optical maser means being actuable to emit high-intensity laser light from one of said surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said surface, alignment light source means, means mounted in said apparatus for directing a collimated beam of alignment light from said alignment light source means upon said one plane surface of the optical maser means to be reflected therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said one surface, and means for directing said reflected beam of alignment light along a selected path to a selected target prior to actuation of said optical maser means such that said optical maser means can thereafter be actuated to direct high-intensity laser light emitted from said optical maser means along said selected path to said selected target.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
Maser apparatus comprising optical maser means having a pair of plane, parallel reflecting surfaces, said optical maser means being actuable to emit high-intensity laser light from one of said surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said surface, alignment light source means, means mounted in said apparatus for directing a collimated beam of alignment light from said alignment light source means upon said one plane surface of the optical maser means to be reflected therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said one surface, and means for directing said reflected beam of alignment light along a selected path to a selected target prior to actuation of said optical maser means such that said optical maser means can thereafter be actuated to direct high-intensity laser light emitted from said optical maser means along said selected path to said selected target.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for arranging an optical maser having a pair of plane, parallel, reflective opposite end surfaces, one of which is adapted to emit high-intensity laser light in a single direction perpendicular to the plane of said surface, so that high-intensity laser light output of the optical maser is directed along a predetermined path to a selected target, said method comprising the steps of projecting a beam of collimated aligNment light toward one of said plane surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the plane thereof so that part of said alignment light is transmitted in said single direction, and directing part of said transmitted alignment light along said predetermined path such that high-intensity laser light output of the optical maser is subsequently directed along said predetermined path.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for arranging an optical maser having a pair of plane, parallel, reflective opposite end surfaces, one of which is adapted to emit high-intensity laser light in a single direction perpendicular to the plane of said surface, so that high-intensity laser light output of the optical maser is directed along a predetermined path to a selected target, said method comprising the steps of projecting a beam of collimated aligNment light toward one of said plane surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the plane thereof so that part of said alignment light is transmitted in said single direction, and directing part of said transmitted alignment light along said predetermined path such that high-intensity laser light output of the optical maser is subsequently directed along said predetermined path.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for arranging an optical maser having a plane reflective end surface from which the optical maser is actuable to emit high-intensity laser light so that the high-intensity laser light output of the maser is directed to a selected target, said method comprising the steps of projecting a substantially collimated beam of alignment light upon the plane surface of the maser which is adapted to emit high-intensity light so that the light directed upon said surface is reflected therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said surface, whereby said reflected light will correspond in direction to high-intensity laser light output of the maser, and directing said reflected light to said selected target thereby to indicate that subsequent high-intensity laser light output of the maser will be directed to said selected target.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for arranging an optical maser having a plane reflective end surface from which the optical maser is actuable to emit high-intensity laser light so that the high-intensity laser light output of the maser is directed to a selected target, said method comprising the steps of projecting a substantially collimated beam of alignment light upon the plane surface of the maser which is adapted to emit high-intensity light so that the light directed upon said surface is reflected therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said surface, whereby said reflected light will correspond in direction to high-intensity laser light output of the maser, and directing said reflected light to said selected target thereby to indicate that subsequent high-intensity laser light output of the maser will be directed to said selected target.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
Maser apparatus comprising optical maser means having a central axis and at least one end surface perpendicular thereto and being operable to emit high-intensity laser light from said one end surface along an optical axis which is perpendicular to the plane of said one end surface and is an extension of said maser means central axis, a light source in said apparatus, means mounted in said apparatus for projecting light from said light source toward said optical maser means, means for adjusting the direction of said projected light to be perpendicular to the plane of said one end surface so that at least a portion of said light is transmitted along said optical axis, means for directing at least a portion of said transmitted light along a selected path which is to be subsequently followed by the high-intensity laser light when emitted from said optical maser means upon firing thereof, and means for firing said optical maser means to direct said high-intensity laser light along said selected path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
Maser apparatus comprising optical maser means having a central axis and at least one end surface perpendicular thereto and being operable to emit high-intensity laser light from said one end surface along an optical axis which is perpendicular to the plane of said one end surface and is an extension of said maser means central axis, a light source in said apparatus, means mounted in said apparatus for projecting light from said light source toward said optical maser means, means for adjusting the direction of said projected light to be perpendicular to the plane of said one end surface so that at least a portion of said light is transmitted along said optical axis, means for directing at least a portion of said transmitted light along a selected path which is to be subsequently followed by the high-intensity laser light when emitted from said optical maser means upon firing thereof, and means for firing said optical maser means to direct said high-intensity laser light along said selected path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Maser apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said one end surface is reflecting and the light projecting means comprises means for projecting said light toward said one end surface for reflection therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Maser apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said maser means includes another end surface and the light projecting means comprises means for projecting said light against the other end surface so that a portion of said light is directed along and outside said optical maser means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for arranging an optical maser having a central axis and at least one end surface perpendicular thereto and being operable to emit high-intensity laser light from said one end surface along an optical axis which is perpendicular to the plane of said one end surface and is an extension of said maser means central axis so that high-intensity laser light output of said optical maser is directed along a selected path comprising the steps of projecting light from a light source toward said optical maser, adjusting the direction of said projected light to be perpendicular to the plane of said one end surface so that at least a portion of said light is transmitted along said optical axis, directing at least a portion of said transmitted light along a selected path which is to be subsequently followed by the high-intensity laser light when emitted from said optical maser upon firing thereof, and firing said optical maser to direct said high-intensity laser light along said selected path.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for arranging an optical maser having a central axis and at least one end surface perpendicular thereto and being operable to emit high-intensity laser light from said one end surface along an optical axis which is perpendicular to the plane of said one end surface and is an extension of said maser means central axis so that high-intensity laser light output of said optical maser is directed along a selected path comprising the steps of projecting light from a light source toward said optical maser, adjusting the direction of said projected light to be perpendicular to the plane of said one end surface so that at least a portion of said light is transmitted along said optical axis, directing at least a portion of said transmitted light along a selected path which is to be subsequently followed by the high-intensity laser light when emitted from said optical maser upon firing thereof, and firing said optical maser to direct said high-intensity laser light along said selected path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
A method for arranging an optical maser in accordance with claim 8 wherein said one end surface is reflecting and said step of projecting light from a light source comprises projecting light along said optical axis toward said one end surface for reflection therefrom. 10. A method for arranging an optical maser in accordance with claim 8 wherein said step of projecting light from a light source comprises projecting light along said optical axis toward a second of said end surfaces so that a portion of said light is directed along and outside said optical maser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for aiming the high-intensity light output from an optical maser toward a selected target comprising an optical maser having a central axis and two end surfaces and being operable to emit high-intensity laser light from one of said end surfaces along an optical axis which is perpendicular to said one end surface and is an extension of said optical maser central axis, a low-intensity light source, means mounted in said apparatus for projecting low-intensity light from said low-intensity light source toward said optical maser, means for adjusting the direction of said projected low-intensity light to be perpendicular to said one end surface so that at least a portion of said low-intensity light is transmitted along said optical axis, means for aiming at least a portion of said transmitted light, after it has been transmitted along said optical axis, toward said selected target along a path which is to be subsequently followed by the high-intensity laser light emitted from said optical maser upon firing thereof, and means for firing said optical maser to direct said high intensity laser light toward said selected target along said path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for aiming the high-intensity light output from an optical maser toward a selected target comprising an optical maser having a central axis and two end surfaces and being operable to emit high-intensity laser light from one of said end surfaces along an optical axis which is perpendicular to said one end surface and is an extension of said optical maser central axis, a low-intensity light source, means mounted in said apparatus for projecting low-intensity light from said low-intensity light source toward said optical maser, means for adjusting the direction of said projected low-intensity light to be perpendicular to said one end surface so that at least a portion of said low-intensity light is transmitted along said optical axis, means for aiming at least a portion of said transmitted light, after it has been transmitted along said optical axis, toward said selected target along a path which is to be subsequently followed by the high-intensity laser light emitted from said optical maser upon firing thereof, and means for firing said optical maser to direct said high intensity laser light toward said selected target along said path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said one end surface is reflecting and the light projecting means comprises means for projecting said low-intensity light toward said one end surface for reflection therefrom.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the light projecting means comprises means for projecting low-intensity light against the other of said end surfaces so that a portion of said light is directed along and outside said optical maser.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said aiming means includes a partially-transmitting partially-reflecting mirror adapted for high reflectance of light of the wavelength emitted by said optical maser.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for aiming the high-intensity laser light output from an optical maser toward a selected target, said optical maser having a central axis and two end surfaces and being operable to emit high-intensity laser light from one of said surfaces along an optical axis which is perpendicular to said one end surface and is an extension of said optical maser central axis, comprising the steps of projecting low-intensity light to be perpendicular to said one end surface so that at least a portion of said low-intensity light is transmitted along said optical axis, aiming at least a portion of said transmitted low-intensity light, after it has been transmitted along said optical axis, toward said selected target along a path which is subsequently to be followed by the high-intensity laser light emitted from said optical maser upon firing thereof, and firing said optical maser to direct said high-intensity laser light toward said selected target along said path.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for aiming the high-intensity laser light output from an optical maser toward a selected target, said optical maser having a central axis and two end surfaces and being operable to emit high-intensity laser light from one of said surfaces along an optical axis which is perpendicular to said one end surface and is an extension of said optical maser central axis, comprising the steps of projecting low-intensity light to be perpendicular to said one end surface so that at least a portion of said low-intensity light is transmitted along said optical axis, aiming at least a portion of said transmitted low-intensity light, after it has been transmitted along said optical axis, toward said selected target along a path which is subsequently to be followed by the high-intensity laser light emitted from said optical maser upon firing thereof, and firing said optical maser to direct said high-intensity laser light toward said selected target along said path.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for aiming the high-intensity laser light output from an optical maser in accordance with claim 5 wherein said one end surface is reflecting and said step of projecting low-intensity light comprises projecting said low intensity light toward said one end surface for reflection therefrom.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method for aiming the high-intensity laser light output from an optical maser in accordance with claim 15 wherein said step of projecting low-intensity light comprises projecting said low intensity light against the other of said end surfaces so that a portion of said low-intensity light is directed along and outside said optical maser.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method for aiming the high-intensity laser light output from an optical maser in accordance with claim 15 wherein said step of aiming comprises aiming said portion of low-intensity light toward said selected target by reflecting the low-intensitY light transmitted along said single direction toward said selected target.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |