US3784927A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas laser
Assignee: Osram GmbH
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Filing: 1972-06-06
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A discharge tube is located coaxially within an outer envelope and in pressure balance communication with the latter. Resonator mirrors are fastened to its respective ends. The discharge tube is elastically supported at several points relative to the outer envelope but rigidly supported at only one point, to permit differential thermal expansion of the tube within the envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 J Rudolph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/038; H01S3/032; H01S3/0323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
A gas laser comprising: an elongated discharge tube (2), a stimulable gaseous medium therein and two resonator mirrors (10, 11) carried thereon, secured to the ends thereof and oriented to form an optical resonator, one of said mirrors (10) being totally reflective and the other (11) being partially transmissive to radiation; a hermetically sealed outer envelope (3) coaxially aligned and totally hermetically enclosing both said discharge tube (2) and said mirrors (10, 11), containing said stimulable gaseous medium and provided with an exit window (5) for radiation output; an aperture (4) in the wall of said discharge tube (2) to provide communication between said stimulable gaseous medium in said discharge tube (2) and said stimulable gaseous medium surrounding said discharge tube and thereby to equalize pressure at the front and back of said mirrors (10, 11); solid electrodes (6, 7) disposed for excitation of said stimulable gaseous medium at least in said discharge tube; and a support structure to support said discharge tube (2) within said outer envelope (3) comprising one rigid support element (8, 8'') and at least one resilient support element, said support elements being disposed so as to avoid risk of deformation or fracture from differential heating of said discharge tube (2) on the one hand, and said outer envelope (3) on the other hand, said resilient support element or elements each comprising a support ring and elastic flaps separated by slots and each being in bearing contact with said discharge tube and said outer envelope, with at least one of said bearing contacts being provided by means of said flaps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
A gas laser comprising: an elongated discharge tube (2), a stimulable gaseous medium therein and two resonator mirrors (10, 11) carried thereon, secured to the ends thereof and oriented to form an optical resonator, one of said mirrors (10) being totally reflective and the other (11) being partially transmissive to radiation; a hermetically sealed outer envelope (3) coaxially aligned and totally hermetically enclosing both said discharge tube (2) and said mirrors (10, 11), containing said stimulable gaseous medium and provided with an exit window (5) for radiation output; an aperture (4) in the wall of said discharge tube (2) to provide communication between said stimulable gaseous medium in said discharge tube (2) and said stimulable gaseous medium surrounding said discharge tube and thereby to equalize pressure at the front and back of said mirrors (10, 11); solid electrodes (6, 7) disposed for excitation of said stimulable gaseous medium at least in said discharge tube; and a support structure to support said discharge tube (2) within said outer envelope (3) comprising one rigid support element (8, 8'') and at least one resilient support element, said support elements being disposed so as to avoid risk of deformation or fracture from differential heating of said discharge tube (2) on the one hand, and said outer envelope (3) on the other hand, said resilient support element or elements each comprising a support ring and elastic flaps separated by slots and each being in bearing contact with said discharge tube and said outer envelope, with at least one of said bearing contacts being provided by means of said flaps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gas laser according to claim 1, wherein said rigid support element (8, 8'') comprises a tubular side extension of said discharge tube (2) that is sealed (9) to said outer envelope (3).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A gas laser according to claim 2, wherein said tubular side extension (8) extends radially between said discharge tube (2) and said outer envelope (3), and wherein each resilient support element (14) comprises a support ring encircling said discharge tube (2) and has elastic flaps (12) abutting the inner wall of said outer envelope (3).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A gas laser according to claim 2, wherein said tubular side extension is near one end of said discharge tube (2), and wherein one of said solid electrodes (7) is exposed to said stimuable gaseous medium only in said tubular side extension (8), and wherein further, said aperture is located near the end of said discharge tube (2) remote from said tubular side extension (8) and the other of said solid electrodes (6) communicates with said stimuable gaseous medium outside of said discharge tube in the neighborhood of said aperture (4).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gas laser as defined in claim 4, in which said totally reflective mirror (10) is located at the end of said discharge tube (2) nearer to said aperture (4).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A gas laser according to claim 2, wherein said tubular side extension (8'') of said discharge tube (2) has a portion disposed parallel to said discharge tube, wherein further said outer envelope has a reentrant section (13) and wherein, further, said tubular side extension (8'') has its portion which is disposed parallel to said discharge tube (2) sealed (9'') to said reentrant section (13) of said outer envelope (3).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
A gas laser according to claim 2, wherein said outer envelope (3) has a reentrant portion (13), wherein said tubular side extension (8'') of said discharge tube (2) is sealed (9'') to said reentrant portion (13) of said outer envelope (3) and wherein, further, said tubular side extension (8'') communicates with said discharge tube (2) near one end thereof and contains the portion of one of said solid electrodes (7) exposed to said stimuable gaseous medium, and wherein, further said aperture (4) is near the end of said discharge tube (2) remote from said side extension (8'') and the other of said solid electrodes (6) is exposed to said stimuable gaseous medium outside said discharge tube (2) in the neighborhood of said aperture (4).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A gas laser according to claim 1, wherein each of said resilient supports (14) comprises a dished or cupped annular disc having slotted portions adjacent at least one edge, said annular disc being in bearing contact with said tube and said envelope and at least one of said bearing contacts including at least some of said slotted portions.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |