US4625317A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal mirror laser
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1984-04-12
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Granted: 1986-11-25
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Expires: 2004-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A thermal structure and cooling system for an argon-ion laser that is virtually free of thermal asymmetries includes a laser cathode having a housing constructed of a material of high thermal conductivity and relatively low thermal expansion in conjunction with a cooling structure configuration which readily and uniformly dissipates heat. In a specific embodiment the support structure is fabricated of copper material of at least a minimal thickness and the cooling fins are disposed in one and two stages of radial fins at specified regions along the support structure forming the discharge tube and enclosed by a tubular thermally conductive band.
Inventors
- 👤 William P. Kolb
- 👤 Dale E. Crane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/04; H01S3/041; H01S3/03; H01S3/032; H01S3/034; F; F28; F28F; F28F1/00; F28F1/10; F28F1/12; F28F1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An internal mirror gas laser having a capillary tube and an anode housing coaxial with a central axis, and having mirrors sealably mounted to each end of said laser, said mirrors being in alignment about said central axis, said laser further comprising: a cathode housing forming a supporting wall coaxial with said central axis, said cathode housing being constructed primarily of a material with a figure of merit (defined as the quotient of thermal conductivity divided by thermal expansion) greater than 0.3×10 6 watts per inch, one of said mirrors being sealably mounted to said cathode housing, said figure of merit being sufficient to ensure that said cathode housing provides a combination of thermal stability and uniform heat dissipation which is adequate to prevent misalignment of said mirrors under conditions of convective cooling; and means for convectively cooling said cathode housing, said anode housing and said capillary tube with minimal thermal assymmetry relative to said central axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An internal mirror gas laser having a capillary tube and an anode housing coaxial with a central axis, and having mirrors sealably mounted to each end of said laser, said mirrors being in alignment about said central axis, said laser further comprising: a cathode housing forming a supporting wall coaxial with said central axis, said cathode housing being constructed primarily of a material with a figure of merit (defined as the quotient of thermal conductivity divided by thermal expansion) greater than 0.3×10 6 watts per inch, one of said mirrors being sealably mounted to said cathode housing, said figure of merit being sufficient to ensure that said cathode housing provides a combination of thermal stability and uniform heat dissipation which is adequate to prevent misalignment of said mirrors under conditions of convective cooling; and means for convectively cooling said cathode housing, said anode housing and said capillary tube with minimal thermal assymmetry relative to said central axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laser according to claim 1 wherein said cathode housing is constructed of cooper and has a wall thickness of at least 0.1 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The laser according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said means for convectively cooling comprise cooling fins in thermal communication with said cathode housing and extending radially from and attached longitudinally to said cathode housing, for directing flow of a cooling fluid coaxial with said central axis along at least a portion of said cathode housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laser according to claim 3 wherein said cathode housing has a wall thickness of at least 0.125 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The laser according to claim 3 wherein said cooling fins comprise a first inner stage coaxial with said central axis, at least one cylinder coaxial with said central axis and at least one outer stage coaxial with said central axis, said at least one cylinder forming a thermally conductive joint between said first inner stage and said at least one outer stage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The laser according to claim 1 wherein said cathode housing is constructed of a material having a figure of merit of at least 0.3×10 6 watts per inch and a thermal conductivity of at least 5 watts per inch per degree celsius.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The laser according to claims 1 or 2 wherein copper end plates enclose ends of said cathode housing and of said anode housing and support said mirrors, said copper plates being of sufficient mass and thickness to provide mechanically and thermally stable support to said mirrors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laser according to claim 7 wherein said copper end plates are at least 0.10 inches thick.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |