US4464021A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Isolator for high power radiation
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1981-04-01
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Granted: 1984-08-07
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Expires: 2001-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An isolator device that permits the passage of low-intensity radiation while blocking the passage of high-intensity radiation comprises a spatial filter and a gas cell that utilizes the phenomenon of thermal blooming to deflect high-intensity radiation so that it is blocked by the spatial filter.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde O. Brown
- 👤 David C. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; H01S3/0064; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S372/00; Y10S372/703
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An optical device comprising: frequency-insensitive spatial filter means, disposed along an axis, for passing radiation traveling along a path within a predetermined angle of said axis and frequency-insensitive thermal blooming deflection means including a fluid having an index of refraction responsive to the intensity of radiation passing therethrough and being positioned along said axis a predetermined distance from said spatial filter means, for deflecting radiation passing therethrough by a deflection angle the magnitude of which is dependent on the intensity of said deflected radiation, said thermal blooming deflection means being disposed with respect to said spatial filter means such that radiation of intensity less than a predetermined magnitude traveling along said axis is deflected by an angle less than said predetermined angle and radiation of intensity greater than said predetermined magnitude traveling along said axis is deflected by an angle greater than said predetermined angle, whereby radiation of intensity greater than said predetermined magnitude traveling through said thermal blooming deflection means toward said spatial filter means is deflected by an angle greater than said predetermined angle and is therefore blocked.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An optical device comprising: frequency-insensitive spatial filter means, disposed along an axis, for passing radiation traveling along a path within a predetermined angle of said axis and frequency-insensitive thermal blooming deflection means including a fluid having an index of refraction responsive to the intensity of radiation passing therethrough and being positioned along said axis a predetermined distance from said spatial filter means, for deflecting radiation passing therethrough by a deflection angle the magnitude of which is dependent on the intensity of said deflected radiation, said thermal blooming deflection means being disposed with respect to said spatial filter means such that radiation of intensity less than a predetermined magnitude traveling along said axis is deflected by an angle less than said predetermined angle and radiation of intensity greater than said predetermined magnitude traveling along said axis is deflected by an angle greater than said predetermined angle, whereby radiation of intensity greater than said predetermined magnitude traveling through said thermal blooming deflection means toward said spatial filter means is deflected by an angle greater than said predetermined angle and is therefore blocked.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical device according to claim 1, further comprising means for flowing said fluid with a predetermined velocity transverse to said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical device according to any of claims 1 or 2, in which said deflected radiation is continuous wave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical device according to any of claims 1 or 2, in which said deflected radiation is pulsed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical device according to claim 1, in which said fluid is flowing with a predetermined velocity transverse to said axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3735278A
Cited
US4019157A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-07 | 1988-02-06 | 1988-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-07 | 1992-02-06 | 1992-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-07 | 1996-02-06 | 1996-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |