US4330762A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit for stabilizing an electrical discharge within a glow discharge gas laser
Assignee: Ricardo AEA Ltd
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Filing: 1980-03-03
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Granted: 1982-05-18
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Expires: 2000-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A control device for a segmented anode gas discharge laser adapted to sense the onset of arcing in a region of the anode, switch off that portion of the anode and reenergize it when the arcing has ceased.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan S. Kaye
- 👤 Peter Millward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/13; H01S3/131; H01S3/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A circuit for stabilising an electrical discharge within a glow discharge gas laser having a cathode electrode and a segmented anode electrode, each segment of the segmented anode electrode consisting of groups of individual anode electrodes connected in parallel wherein there is provided a bi-stable switching device connected in series with a capacitor across each segment of the anode electrode, and a main inductor connected in series with each segment of the anode the main inductor having a secondary winding which is connected so as to operate the bi-stable switching device to cause the segment of the anode electrode to be shunted by the capacitor when the current flowing through the main inductor is above a value corresponding to the existence of an arc between any of the individual anode electrodes and the cathode electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A circuit for stabilising an electrical discharge within a glow discharge gas laser having a cathode electrode and a segmented anode electrode, each segment of the segmented anode electrode consisting of groups of individual anode electrodes connected in parallel wherein there is provided a bi-stable switching device connected in series with a capacitor across each segment of the anode electrode, and a main inductor connected in series with each segment of the anode the main inductor having a secondary winding which is connected so as to operate the bi-stable switching device to cause the segment of the anode electrode to be shunted by the capacitor when the current flowing through the main inductor is above a value corresponding to the existence of an arc between any of the individual anode electrodes and the cathode electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein there is included means for providing a reactive ballast in series with each individual anode electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A circuit according to claim 2 wherein the means for providing a reactive ballast in series with each individual anode electrode comprises a single inductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit according to claim 2 wherein the reactive ballast has both inductive and capacitive components and the inductive component is arranged to be shunted by the capacitive component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit according to claim 4 wherein the circuit element or elements providing the inductive component has sufficient self-capacitance to provide the capacitive component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A circuit according to claim 4 wherein each inductor has a voltage-limiting device connected thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein the main inductor has a unidirectional element so connected across it as to limit the rise in reverse voltage which can occur when the bi-stable switching device is switched from a conducting to a non-conducting state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein the bi-stable switching device comprises a thermionic value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A circuit according to claim 1 wherein the bi-stable switching device comprises a semi-conductor device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3678371A
Cited
US4177404A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-17 | 1985-11-16 | 1986-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-17 | 1989-11-16 | 1990-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-17 | 1993-11-16 | 1994-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |