US3768035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular aerodynamic laser window
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1972-09-22
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1992-09-22
Abstract
Abstract The aerodynamic window for a high-powered laser is constructed of an outer sleeve telescoped into an opening in line with the output laser beam generated within a laser chamber. A series of spaced water-cooled discs with central aligned openings are supported inside the outer housing by an inner housing. The inner housing is removably connected to the end of the outer housing that is outside of the laser chamber. The outer housing is adjustably positioned relative to the opening in the laser chamber to enable the output laser beam to be focused correctly in the aligned openings in the discs. Once this position is established the inner housing, along with the series of discs, can easily be removed as a module. The spaces between the housings and between the discs are suitably evacuated to permit maintenance of a subatmospheric pressure within the laser chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 J Zar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/034; H01S3/0343
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
In a laser system generating an output laser beam within a chamber, an aerodynamic window assembly permitting passage of said laser beam to the exterior of said chamber, said window assembly comprising: an elongated sleevelike outer housing received in an opening in said laser chamber through which said laser beam passes, said outer housing having a first end within said chamber and a second end outside of said chamber; means releasably mounted to said laser chamber around said opening for adjustably longitudinally positioning said outer housing relative to said opening; an inner housing telescoped into said outer housing and having a first and second end respectively adjacent the first and second ends of said outer housing, said inner and outer housings forming an annular space therebetween; means for detachably mounting the second end of said inner housing to the second end of said outer housing; an optical communication system mounted on said inner housing at its first end and having at least one opening permitting the output laser beam to pass through to the exterior of said laser chamber, whereby said optical communication system may be prealigned by longitudinally positioning said outer housing and said optical communication system and inner housing may be removed as a module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a laser system generating an output laser beam within a chamber, an aerodynamic window assembly permitting passage of said laser beam to the exterior of said chamber, said window assembly comprising: an elongated sleevelike outer housing received in an opening in said laser chamber through which said laser beam passes, said outer housing having a first end within said chamber and a second end outside of said chamber; means releasably mounted to said laser chamber around said opening for adjustably longitudinally positioning said outer housing relative to said opening; an inner housing telescoped into said outer housing and having a first and second end respectively adjacent the first and second ends of said outer housing, said inner and outer housings forming an annular space therebetween; means for detachably mounting the second end of said inner housing to the second end of said outer housing; an optical communication system mounted on said inner housing at its first end and having at least one opening permitting the output laser beam to pass through to the exterior of said laser chamber, whereby said optical communication system may be prealigned by longitudinally positioning said outer housing and said optical communication system and inner housing may be removed as a module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said laser chamber is maintained at a subatmospheric level and wherein: said adjustable mounting means sealingly mounts said outer housing to said laser chamber; and said detachable mounting means sealingly mounts the second end of the inner housing to the second end of the outer housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said adjustable mounting means for said outer housing comprises a resilient ring sandwiched on one side by a first beveled surface fixed with respect to said lasEr housing around the opening through which said outer housing extends and on the other side by a second beveled surface on a ring releasably mounted to said laser chamber so that when said ring is tightened against said laser housing said resilient ring expands to tightly hold said outer housing with respect to said laser housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 further comprising means for forming an outlet in the outer housing to permit the annular chamber between the inner and outer housings to be exhausted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said optical communication comprises a plurality of spaced discs having central aligned openings and mounted to the inner end of said inner housing, the first of said discs being exposed on one side to the atmosphere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said laser chamber is maintained at a subatmospheric level and wherein: the outer housing has an opening permitting the annular space between the inner and outer housing to be exhausted; said inner housing has at least one opening connecting the opposite side of said first disc to said annular chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said first housing has a plurality of passages for coolant fluid generally around the periphery of said discs, the size of said passages being selected to carry away the precise amount of heat generated at the particular disc with which they are associated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said apparatus further comprises: inlet and outlet passages respectively providing flow to the inlet and outlet sides of said cooling passages to form a network of parallel cooling passages; conduits connected to said inlet and outlet passages to carry cooling fluid to and from the series of discs at a point exterior the laser chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said circumferential cooling passages are formed by a continuous annular groove interrupted by a plate secured in a slot in line with said grooves, each of said discs having axially directed passages in line with the inlet and outlet passages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 further comprising: an element secured to said discs and having an opening first in line to receive the output laser beam, said element having thermocouple junctions imbedded in it; connecting wires leading from said thermocouples through the annular space through the means connecting the inner housing to the second end of the outer housing to the exterior of said annular space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 further comprising: a sleeve releasably secured to said laser chamber and having an outer diameter received in the opening in said laser housing and an inner diameter piloting said outer housing, said first beveled surface being formed on the end of said sleeve that is exterior to said laser chamber, said ring being releasably mounted to said sleeve.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |