US4449220A — Apparatus and method for deposition of electrical…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 165 words

An apparatus for the deposition of electrical power into a gaseous medium flowing through a discharge region comprising: an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; a cathode, disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode and defining another side of the gas path through the discharge region, including at least one row of preionization electrodes extending into the discharge region for applying a first electric potential to ionize gas flowing past the preionization electrodes and at least one power electrode disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes, extending into the discharge region, having a substantially parallel relation to the anode for applying a second electric potential to generate a discharge, substantially diffuse and stable, between the cathode and the anode; and ballast means connected to the preionization electrodes for controlling electrical current passing from the preionization electrodes to the anode through the ionized gas.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 165 words

An apparatus for the deposition of electrical power into a gaseous medium flowing through a discharge region comprising: an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; a cathode, disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode and defining another side of the gas path through the discharge region, including at least one row of preionization electrodes extending into the discharge region for applying a first electric potential to ionize gas flowing past the preionization electrodes and at least one power electrode disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes, extending into the discharge region, having a substantially parallel relation to the anode for applying a second electric potential to generate a discharge, substantially diffuse and stable, between the cathode and the anode; and ballast means connected to the preionization electrodes for controlling electrical current passing from the preionization electrodes to the anode through the ionized gas.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 14 words

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the preionization electrode is a pin.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the portion of the pin extending into the discharge region terminates at a tip having a reduced diameter for providing a high electrical field concentration at the surface of the tip.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the power electrode is a rod having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 39 words

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cathode has at least two rows of preionization electrodes with individual preionization electrodes in each row positioned in a staggered relationship with the individual preionization electrodes in an adjacent row.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the row of preionization electrodes and the power electrode are disposed substantially transverse to the gas path through the discharge region.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ballast means includes a ballast resistor connected to each of the preionization electrodes.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention in accordance with claim 1 further including means for providing electrical power to the power electrodes and the preionization electrodes.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein the rod has a tubular configuration capable of passing coolant to remove heat within the rod during operation.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the electrodes are made with refractory metals.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 171 words

In a laser having an optical cavity, an electrode apparatus for the deposition of electrical power in a gas flowing through a discharge region comprising: an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; a cathode disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode and defining another side of the gas path through the discharge region including at least one row of preionization electrodes extending into the discharge region for applying a first electric potential to ionize gas flowing past the preionization electrodes and a least one power electrode disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes and substantially transverse to the gas path, extending into the discharge region for applying a second electric potential to generate a discharge, substantially stable and diffuse, within the optical cavity between the anode and the cathode; and ballast means connected to the preionization electrodes for controlling electrical current passing from the preionization electrodes to the anode.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 171 words

In a laser having an optical cavity, an electrode apparatus for the deposition of electrical power in a gas flowing through a discharge region comprising: an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; a cathode disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode and defining another side of the gas path through the discharge region including at least one row of preionization electrodes extending into the discharge region for applying a first electric potential to ionize gas flowing past the preionization electrodes and a least one power electrode disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes and substantially transverse to the gas path, extending into the discharge region for applying a second electric potential to generate a discharge, substantially stable and diffuse, within the optical cavity between the anode and the cathode; and ballast means connected to the preionization electrodes for controlling electrical current passing from the preionization electrodes to the anode.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 217 words

A method for deposition of electrical power into a gaseous medium flowing through a discharge region comprising: providing an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; providing a cathode disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode and defining another side of the gas path, having at least one row of preionization electrodes and at least one power electrode having a longitudinal axis disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes; providing a flow of gas capable of being ionized between the anode and the cathode in a direction substantially transverse to the row of preionization electrodes; maintaining a first electric potential between the preionization electrodes and the anode to provide a weakly ionized gas; controlling the electrical current deposition into the gas by the preionization electrodes with a ballast resistor attached to each preionization electrode; generating a discharge, substantially diffuse and stable, within the gas with a second electric potential maintained between the power electrodes and the anode; and controlling the second electric potential between the power electrode and the anode to adjust the discharge characteristics within the gas wherein at least sixty percent of the electric power deposition into the gas passes through the power electrodes.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 217 words

A method for deposition of electrical power into a gaseous medium flowing through a discharge region comprising: providing an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; providing a cathode disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode and defining another side of the gas path, having at least one row of preionization electrodes and at least one power electrode having a longitudinal axis disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes; providing a flow of gas capable of being ionized between the anode and the cathode in a direction substantially transverse to the row of preionization electrodes; maintaining a first electric potential between the preionization electrodes and the anode to provide a weakly ionized gas; controlling the electrical current deposition into the gas by the preionization electrodes with a ballast resistor attached to each preionization electrode; generating a discharge, substantially diffuse and stable, within the gas with a second electric potential maintained between the power electrodes and the anode; and controlling the second electric potential between the power electrode and the anode to adjust the discharge characteristics within the gas wherein at least sixty percent of the electric power deposition into the gas passes through the power electrodes.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method in accordance with claim 12 further including maintaining the flowing gas at a pressure of at least fifty torr within the discharge region.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 45 words

The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein the first electric potential provides a continuous direct current to the preionization electrodes from a first power supply and the second electric potential provides a continuous direct current to the power electrodes from a second power supply.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein the gas capable of being ionized is a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention in accordance with claim 12 further including means for providing electrical power to the power electrodes and the preionization electrodes.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 236 words

A method for the deposition of electrical power into a gaseous medium flowing through a discharge region comprising: providing an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; providing a cathode disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode, and defining another side of the gas path having at least one row of preionization electrodes and having at least one rod having a tubular construction with a longitudinal axis disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes and substantially parallel to the anode; providing a flow of ionizable gas between the anode and the cathode in a direction substantially transverse to the row of preionization electrodes; maintaining a first electric potential between the preionization electrodes and the anode to provide a weakly ionized gas flowing therethrough; controlling the electrical current deposition into the gas by the preionization electrodes with a ballast resistor on each preionization electrode; generating a discharge in the gas downstream the preionization electrodes with a second electric potential between the rods and the anode; controlling the second electric potential between unballasted rods and the anode to match the discharge characteristics within the gas to maintain a discharge, substantially stable and diffuse, between the cathode and the anode; and passing a coolant through the rods having tubular construction to allow high current flow through the rods.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 236 words

A method for the deposition of electrical power into a gaseous medium flowing through a discharge region comprising: providing an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; providing a cathode disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode, and defining another side of the gas path having at least one row of preionization electrodes and having at least one rod having a tubular construction with a longitudinal axis disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of preionization electrodes and substantially parallel to the anode; providing a flow of ionizable gas between the anode and the cathode in a direction substantially transverse to the row of preionization electrodes; maintaining a first electric potential between the preionization electrodes and the anode to provide a weakly ionized gas flowing therethrough; controlling the electrical current deposition into the gas by the preionization electrodes with a ballast resistor on each preionization electrode; generating a discharge in the gas downstream the preionization electrodes with a second electric potential between the rods and the anode; controlling the second electric potential between unballasted rods and the anode to match the discharge characteristics within the gas to maintain a discharge, substantially stable and diffuse, between the cathode and the anode; and passing a coolant through the rods having tubular construction to allow high current flow through the rods.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 287 words

A method of obtaining a laser beam having high power from an electric discharge laser having a gaseous medium flowing through a discharge region comprising: providing an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; providing a cathode disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode and defining another side of the gas path having at least one row of pins and at least one rod having a longitudinal axis disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of pins and substantially parallel to the anode wherein said rod is unballasted; providing a flow of ionizable gas between the anode and the cathode in a direction substantially transverse to the row of pins; maintaining a first electric potential between each row of pins and the anode to provide a weakly ionized gas flowing therethrough; controlling the electrical current deposition into the gas by the pins with a ballast resistor on each pin; providing a second electric potential between each rod and the anode to obtain a stable and diffuse discharge in the gas downstream the pins; controlling the second electric potential between the rods and the anode to match the discharge characteristics within the gas to obtain a substantially diffuse discharge between the cathode and the anode wherein at least sixty percent of the electrical power deposition into the gas is through the unballasted rods; amplifying optical radiation within the diffuse discharge with an optical cavity defined at one end by a first mirror and at the other end by a second mirror and having an optical axis transverse to the gas path; and coupling an output beam from the optical cavity.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 287 words

A method of obtaining a laser beam having high power from an electric discharge laser having a gaseous medium flowing through a discharge region comprising: providing an anode having a configuration of a plane and defining one side of a gas path through the discharge region; providing a cathode disposed in a spaced apart substantially parallel relation to the anode and defining another side of the gas path having at least one row of pins and at least one rod having a longitudinal axis disposed downstream of and substantially parallel to the row of pins and substantially parallel to the anode wherein said rod is unballasted; providing a flow of ionizable gas between the anode and the cathode in a direction substantially transverse to the row of pins; maintaining a first electric potential between each row of pins and the anode to provide a weakly ionized gas flowing therethrough; controlling the electrical current deposition into the gas by the pins with a ballast resistor on each pin; providing a second electric potential between each rod and the anode to obtain a stable and diffuse discharge in the gas downstream the pins; controlling the second electric potential between the rods and the anode to match the discharge characteristics within the gas to obtain a substantially diffuse discharge between the cathode and the anode wherein at least sixty percent of the electrical power deposition into the gas is through the unballasted rods; amplifying optical radiation within the diffuse discharge with an optical cavity defined at one end by a first mirror and at the other end by a second mirror and having an optical axis transverse to the gas path; and coupling an output beam from the optical cavity.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method in accordance with claim 18 further including maintaining the flowing gas at a pressure of at least fifty torr within the discharge region.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method in accordance with claim 19 wherein the gas is a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method in accordance with claim 18 wherein the first electric potential and the second electric potential are provided by power sources adapted for providing continuous direct current.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 127 words

In a gas laser apparatus including a laser housing containing a flowing laser gas medium, the combination of, spaced apart cathode and anode electrodes defining a main laser discharge volume therebetween, said anode being a planar electrode, said cathode electrode comprised of rows of cathode elements including a combination of one or more rows each consisting of a plurality of discrete cathode pin elements being perpendicular to said planar anode electrode, and one or more rows, each consisting of a single elongated cathode element, all of said cathode elements being within said main laser discharge volume, DC excitation means, ballast means coupling said DC excitation means to said rows of cathode elements, and optical elements disposed relative to said discharge volume to define a laser optical cavity.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 127 words

In a gas laser apparatus including a laser housing containing a flowing laser gas medium, the combination of, spaced apart cathode and anode electrodes defining a main laser discharge volume therebetween, said anode being a planar electrode, said cathode electrode comprised of rows of cathode elements including a combination of one or more rows each consisting of a plurality of discrete cathode pin elements being perpendicular to said planar anode electrode, and one or more rows, each consisting of a single elongated cathode element, all of said cathode elements being within said main laser discharge volume, DC excitation means, ballast means coupling said DC excitation means to said rows of cathode elements, and optical elements disposed relative to said discharge volume to define a laser optical cavity.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1987-05-15	1987-11-14	1988-05-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1991-05-15	1991-11-14	1992-05-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1995-05-15	1995-11-14	1996-05-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method for deposition of electrical power in an electric discharge laser

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