US4135099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High energy, short duration pulse system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1977-09-15
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Granted: 1979-01-16
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Expires: 1997-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A system for switching a high energy, short duration pulse from a high energy source to an impedance matched series load. A light activated semiconductor device having a rectifying junction is serially connected between the source and the load, and another light activated semiconductor device is connected in parallel across the load. A fast rise time laser light source sequentially activates the series connected device to initiate the energy pulse, and then actuates the device paralleled across the load to short circuit the load and terminate the energy pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Fiedor
- 👤 Maurice H. Hanes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:47
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/941
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for switching a high energy, short duration pulse from a high energy source to an impedance matched series load, comprising a first light activated semiconductive device having at least one rectifying junction and an on impedance less than the source, serially connected between the high energy source and the series load, a second light activated semiconductive device having at least one rectifying junction and an on impedance less than the load, which second light activated semiconductive device is shunted across the load, and a fast rise time laser light source with means for sequentially directing the laser light output onto the first and then the second semiconductive device, whereby turn-on of the first device switches the high energy from the source to the load, while sequential turn-on of the second device short circuits the load and terminates the energy pulse.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for switching a high energy, short duration pulse from a high energy source to an impedance matched series load, comprising a first light activated semiconductive device having at least one rectifying junction and an on impedance less than the source, serially connected between the high energy source and the series load, a second light activated semiconductive device having at least one rectifying junction and an on impedance less than the load, which second light activated semiconductive device is shunted across the load, and a fast rise time laser light source with means for sequentially directing the laser light output onto the first and then the second semiconductive device, whereby turn-on of the first device switches the high energy from the source to the load, while sequential turn-on of the second device short circuits the load and terminates the energy pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second semiconductive devices are light activated rectifying diodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second semiconductive devices are light activated thyristors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein a single laser light source is sequentially optically coupled to the first and second semiconductive devices by a beam splitter and a light reflective mirror, with a portion of the laser light passing through the beam splitter and activating the first semiconductive device, and a reflected portion of the laser light reflected from the beam splitter and the mirror to the second semiconductive device, with the light path for the reflected light which activates the second semiconductive device being greater than the light path for the transmitted light which activates the first semiconductive device, with the pulse length being determined by the optical path difference for the transmitted and reflected light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system set forth in claim 1, wherein separate laser light sources are optically coupled to the respective first and second semiconductive devices with the light output pulses from the separate laser light sources being synchronized to produce the desired pulse duration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3585454A
Cited
US3832732A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-15 | 1982-07-17 | 1983-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-15 | 1986-07-17 | 1987-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-15 | 1990-07-17 | 1991-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |