US3621458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flashtubes and method of providing same
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1969-10-13
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-10-13
Abstract
Abstract Uniformly low trigger levels are achieved for a flashlamp operated in a chamber filled with a cooling gas at high pressure or at atmospheric pressure by roughening the anode. A technique for roughening consists of firing the flashtube in reverse a sufficient number of times to alter the finish of the anode tip from a bright high polish to a dull gray by sputtering.
Inventors
- 👤 Amado Y Cabezas
- 👤 Walter Koechner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/0915; H01S3/092; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/70; H01J61/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
In a laser having a cavity containing a flashlamp for pumping a laser crystal rod disposed therein, said lamp having an elongated envelope filled with a gas to be ionized by an electric field between an anode at one end and a cathode at the other end of said envelope, and having a grounded conductor disposed near said anode for initial ionization of said gas in response to a trigger pulse applied between said anode and said conductor, the improvement comprising a roughened anode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a laser having a cavity containing a flashlamp for pumping a laser crystal rod disposed therein, said lamp having an elongated envelope filled with a gas to be ionized by an electric field between an anode at one end and a cathode at the other end of said envelope, and having a grounded conductor disposed near said anode for initial ionization of said gas in response to a trigger pulse applied between said anode and said conductor, the improvement comprising a roughened anode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improvement as defined by claim 1 wherein a cooling gas is circulated through said cavity under pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a system for triggering a flashtube having an elongated envelope filled with a gas to be ionized by an electric field between an anode at one end and a cathode at the other end of said envelope, having a pressure chamber around said envelope and having a trigger electrode, and with a cooling gas circulated through saiD chamber under high pressure, the improvement comprising a clamp for holding said tube in said chamber, said clamp being positioned near the tip of said anode outside of said envelope and functioning as said trigger electrode, and a roughened surface on said anode for reducing the level of a trigger pulse necessary between said anode and said trigger electrode to initiate ionization of said gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a system for triggering a flashtube having an elongated envelope filled with a gas to be ionized by an electric field between an anode at one end and a cathode at the other end of said envelope, having a pressure chamber around said envelope and having a trigger electrode, and with a cooling gas circulated through saiD chamber under high pressure, the improvement comprising a clamp for holding said tube in said chamber, said clamp being positioned near the tip of said anode outside of said envelope and functioning as said trigger electrode, and a roughened surface on said anode for reducing the level of a trigger pulse necessary between said anode and said trigger electrode to initiate ionization of said gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein said roughened surface is on the tip of said anode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein a laser pump cavity is provided around said envelope and within said pressure chamber, and a laser rod positioned within said cavity with its axis parallel to the axis of said envelope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said trigger electrode is electrically connected to said cathode and said trigger pulse is applied to said anode.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for providing a source of pumping energy to a laser crystal rod in a laser cavity filled with a cooling gas under pressure comprising a flashtube having an elongated envelope filled with a gas to be ionized by an electric field between an anode at one position and a cathode at another position along said elongated envelope, said anode having a roughened surface for reducing the level of a trigger pulse necessary between said anode and said trigger electrode to initiate ionization of the gas in said envelope, and a mounting structure positioned outside of said envelope and near the tip of said anode for providing a trigger electrode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for providing a source of pumping energy to a laser crystal rod in a laser cavity filled with a cooling gas under pressure comprising a flashtube having an elongated envelope filled with a gas to be ionized by an electric field between an anode at one position and a cathode at another position along said elongated envelope, said anode having a roughened surface for reducing the level of a trigger pulse necessary between said anode and said trigger electrode to initiate ionization of the gas in said envelope, and a mounting structure positioned outside of said envelope and near the tip of said anode for providing a trigger electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 7 in which said mounting structure is at a reference potential.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |