US3696230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser lens cooling and cleaning system
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1970-01-19
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-01-19
Abstract
Abstract The beam from a laser is focused, by means of a lens, onto a material which is to be burned thereby. The lens is supported in a housing which, among other functions, operates as a heat sink for the lens. Further, the housing is shaped so that a gas which is applied, from a source under pressure, to the housing, cools the housing, flows over the lens surfaces, and thereafter is directed at the location where the burning occurs to insure that none of the products resulting therefrom can reach the surface of the lens, and also to either assist the burning operation of the laser beam, or to confine it. Since the gas which is introduced into the housing is at a pressure greater than atmosphere it prevents its entrance into the housing of any particles that may dirty the laser lens or a mirror which is disposed in the housing to reflect the lens beam towards the material.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard R Friedrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:55
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/14; B23K26/1462; B23K26/1482; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/064; B23K26/0648; B23K26/12; B23K26/123; B23K26/127; B23K26/128; B23K26/1464; B23K26/1476; B23K26/70; B23K26/702; B23K26/703
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
In a system wherein the light beam from a laser is focused by a lens at a workpiece, and gas under pressure from a source is directed at said workpiece, the improvement comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a double-walled barrel-shaped heat sink attached to said housing, said heat sink communicating at its rear end with said housing through said outlet and having means forming a cooling passageway within its walls, said passageway having an inlet and an outlet, gas directing means extending from said heat sink outlet to said workpiece, means for directing gas from said source to said heat sink inlet, means for supporting said lens in thermal contact with said heat sink, with at least one face of said lens being in the path of the gas exiting from said heat sink outlet, whereby said gas flows through said heat sink extracting heat therefrom, then flows over said one face of said lens, and thereafter is directed by said gas directing means at said workpiece, and means for causing said gas to flow over the opposite face of said lens, said lens substantially sealing the front end of said heat sink so as to cause said gas to then flow backward through said heat sink, and out through said housing inlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a system wherein the light beam from a laser is focused by a lens at a workpiece, and gas under pressure from a source is directed at said workpiece, the improvement comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a double-walled barrel-shaped heat sink attached to said housing, said heat sink communicating at its rear end with said housing through said outlet and having means forming a cooling passageway within its walls, said passageway having an inlet and an outlet, gas directing means extending from said heat sink outlet to said workpiece, means for directing gas from said source to said heat sink inlet, means for supporting said lens in thermal contact with said heat sink, with at least one face of said lens being in the path of the gas exiting from said heat sink outlet, whereby said gas flows through said heat sink extracting heat therefrom, then flows over said one face of said lens, and thereafter is directed by said gas directing means at said workpiece, and means for causing said gas to flow over the opposite face of said lens, said lens substantially sealing the front end of said heat sink so as to cause said gas to then flow backward through said heat sink, and out through said housing inlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a plane mirror is positioned to direct a laser light beam at the center of said laser lens, said housing includes a housing section for enclosing said plane mirror, and bellows means joining said housing section to said heat sink whereby gas passes from said opposite surface of said laser lens to the surface of said plane mirror and thereafter out of said housing section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system recited in claim 1 characterized further in that said means forming a cooling passageway through said heat sink comprises: a cylindrical inner wall and concentrically spaced therefrom a cylindrical outer wall, and a helical vane extending between said inner and outer walls to define a helical passageway for said gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as recited in claim 3 which includes a mirror for directing said light beam from said laser at said laser lens, and means supporting said mirror within said housing and in the path of said gas as it passes backward through said heat sink, whereby said mirror surface is maintained clean.
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) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |