US3842365A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulse glow generation for laser systems
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-30
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A gas laser tube apparatus for producing pulse glow excitation of the laser system using a pulse voltage superimposed on a DC bias voltage to produce a glow discharge. The biasing voltage is applied across two electrodes positioned within the envelope of the gas laser tube and a pulse voltage is superimposed thereon from a pulse generating circuit. The necessity for high power switching is obviated since a major portion of the energy supplied to the discharge between the electrodes is transferred to the discharge gap from a storage element of the DC bias circuit. Consequently, the power supplied from the pulse circuit can be lowered and high cost switching circuitry can be eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hundstad
- 👤 O Farish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/097; H01S3/0971
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A high pressure gas laser apparatus and circuit for use in producing a laser output comprising: an elongated envelope containing a gas medium at high pressure suitable for supporting a glow discharge, first and second electrode means positioned within said envelope and spaced apart one from the other to define a uniform field discharge gap therebetween; bias circuit means including an energy storage element connected between said first and second electrode means for maintaining a low current glow discharge therebeTween; said bias circuit further including charging means connected to said storage element for transferring energy to said storage element; pulse generating means connected between said first and second electrode means for generating a pulse voltage; and switching means responsive to said pulse voltage for selectively and electrically connecting said energy storage element to said discharge gap for transferring energy to said glow discharge during said pulses and isolating said energy storage element from said pulse generating means at all other times.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A high pressure gas laser apparatus and circuit for use in producing a laser output comprising: an elongated envelope containing a gas medium at high pressure suitable for supporting a glow discharge, first and second electrode means positioned within said envelope and spaced apart one from the other to define a uniform field discharge gap therebetween; bias circuit means including an energy storage element connected between said first and second electrode means for maintaining a low current glow discharge therebeTween; said bias circuit further including charging means connected to said storage element for transferring energy to said storage element; pulse generating means connected between said first and second electrode means for generating a pulse voltage; and switching means responsive to said pulse voltage for selectively and electrically connecting said energy storage element to said discharge gap for transferring energy to said glow discharge during said pulses and isolating said energy storage element from said pulse generating means at all other times.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus and circuit of claim 1 wherein said switching means includes a high voltage diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus and circuit of claim 1 wherein said first electrode means includes a plurality of pin elements set perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said elongated envelope and said second electrode means includes a continuous electrode having planar surface portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus and circuit of claim 1 wherein said pulse generating means includes a first capacitive element connected to said first electrode means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus and circuit of claim 4 wherein said energy storage element is a second capacitive element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus and circuit of claim 5 wherein said second capacitive element has a value of the order of said first capacitive element so that approximately one half of the energy supplied to said discharge during a selected pulse is transferred from each of said capacitors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3588740A
Cited
US3696307A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |