US3875531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated laser system
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-15
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A compact, integrated, cross magnetic field, transverse electrid field, closed cycle, convective gas laser system is disclosed. A highly refined laser channel provides a stable electric discharge in the optical cavity with thin metal fins aligned in the flow direction; also the channel is effectively an integral heat exchanger which cools the working medium passing therethrough. Lightweight permanent magnets positioned about the channel align the discharge in the optical cavity. A flexible vane blower circulates the working medium within the vacuum envelope of the system. A compartmentated duct of dielectric material having rectangular geometry matched to the contours of the laser channel and the blower comprises the vacuum envelope for the system. The gas feed means, gas purge means and means for cooling the laser channel, which are all necessary to sustain operation of the cycle, are described. The parameters for an integrated system which provides a two hundred watt cw output beam of laser radiation are disclosed. The invention herein described was made in the course of or under a contract or subcontract thereunder with the Department of the Navy.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl J Buczek
- 👤 Peter P Chenausky
- 👤 Robert J Frieberg
- 👤 Robert J Wayne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/036; H01S3/04; H01S3/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
327 words
A closed cycle system for the production of stable frequency radiation with a transverse field laser comprising: a laser channel for the production of coherent radiation by stimulated emission from an excited gaseous working medium flowing along a longitudinal axis through the channel which has a gas passageway therethrough perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the passageway having a rectangular cross section and a high aspect ratio, the channel having a plurality of juxtaposed metal modules which are physically separated from one another by thin sheets of dielectric material, each module comprising a hollow top tube and a hollow bottom tube joined by a plurality of metal fins aligned in parallel along the longitudinal axis, and the channel including: optical means for coupling the coherent radiation out of the excited working medium as an optical beam which traverses the channel through a series of holes concentric with An optical axis for the beam, the optical axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and electric discharge means comprising annular electrodes which are concentric about the optical axis; gas pumping means for overcoming the pressure drop required to flow the working medium from the gas inlet to the gas outlet of the channel and to recirculate the medium from the gas outlet back to the gas inlet; a main gas conduit formed of dielectric materials comprising: first flow means connecting the channel gas outlet with the low pressure side of the gas blower; and second flow means connecting the high pressure side of the gas blower with the channel gas inlet; a source of electric power connected to the annular electrodes to produce a discharge plasma along the optical axis by maintaining an electric potential between the electrodes; and heat exchange means for the removal of heat absorbed from the working medium in the channel by the modules, the exchange means including a dielectric coolant which is passed through fluid passageways in the top and bottom tubes of each module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
327 words
A closed cycle system for the production of stable frequency radiation with a transverse field laser comprising: a laser channel for the production of coherent radiation by stimulated emission from an excited gaseous working medium flowing along a longitudinal axis through the channel which has a gas passageway therethrough perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the passageway having a rectangular cross section and a high aspect ratio, the channel having a plurality of juxtaposed metal modules which are physically separated from one another by thin sheets of dielectric material, each module comprising a hollow top tube and a hollow bottom tube joined by a plurality of metal fins aligned in parallel along the longitudinal axis, and the channel including: optical means for coupling the coherent radiation out of the excited working medium as an optical beam which traverses the channel through a series of holes concentric with An optical axis for the beam, the optical axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and electric discharge means comprising annular electrodes which are concentric about the optical axis; gas pumping means for overcoming the pressure drop required to flow the working medium from the gas inlet to the gas outlet of the channel and to recirculate the medium from the gas outlet back to the gas inlet; a main gas conduit formed of dielectric materials comprising: first flow means connecting the channel gas outlet with the low pressure side of the gas blower; and second flow means connecting the high pressure side of the gas blower with the channel gas inlet; a source of electric power connected to the annular electrodes to produce a discharge plasma along the optical axis by maintaining an electric potential between the electrodes; and heat exchange means for the removal of heat absorbed from the working medium in the channel by the modules, the exchange means including a dielectric coolant which is passed through fluid passageways in the top and bottom tubes of each module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention according to claim 1 including further means for providing a magnetic field in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to both the optical axis and the channel longitudinal axis, the magnetic field having an intensity profile which tapers diminishingly from the upstream side of the electric discharge to the downstream side of the discharge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 1 including further a source of gaseous working medium with means for continuously admixing additional gas to the system during operation through the second flow means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 3 including further a gas purge system with means for continuously removing working medium from the system during operation through the first flow means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention according to claim 4 including further a plurality of dielectric separation partitions which extend throughout the entire main gas conduit to separate the flow means into a plurality of parallel flow channels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3757251A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |