US4697270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Copper vapor laser acoustic thermometry system
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1986-08-27
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Granted: 1987-09-29
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Expires: 2006-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A copper vapor laser (CVL) acoustic thermometry system is disclosed. The invention couples an acoustic pulse a predetermined distance into a laser tube by means of a transducer and an alumina rod such that an echo pulse is returned along the alumina rod to the point of entry. The time differential between the point of entry of the acoustic pulse into the laser tube and the exit of the echo pulse is related to the temperature at the predetermined distance within the laser tube. This information is processed and can provide an accurate indication of the average temperature within the laser tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Galkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/22; G01K11/24; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/13; H01S3/131; H01S3/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A thermometry system for a laser comprising: alumina rod means for axially coupling an acoustic pulse a predetermined distance from a coupling point into the interior of said laser such that an echo pulse corresponding to said acoustic pulse is reflected from the interior of said laser to said coupling point without affecting operation of said laser, means for measuring a period of time between the coupling of said acoustic pulse and the return of said echo pulse to said coupling point, and means for processing the measured time difference to provide a temperature indication at the predetermined interior point within said laser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A thermometry system for a laser comprising: alumina rod means for axially coupling an acoustic pulse a predetermined distance from a coupling point into the interior of said laser such that an echo pulse corresponding to said acoustic pulse is reflected from the interior of said laser to said coupling point without affecting operation of said laser, means for measuring a period of time between the coupling of said acoustic pulse and the return of said echo pulse to said coupling point, and means for processing the measured time difference to provide a temperature indication at the predetermined interior point within said laser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said laser is a metal vapor laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein said laser is a copper vapor laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said laser is a gas discharge laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said means for measuring include logic means for determining occurrence of a zero crossing point of said echo pulse after said echo pulse has oscillated through a first predetermined reference value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 5 wherein the occurrence of said zero crossing point after a oscillation is the first zero crossing point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
A thermometry system for a metal vapor laser comprising: transducer means for generating an acoustic pulse and for axially coupling said acoustic pulse a predetermined distance from a coupling point into the interior of said metal vapor laser such that an echo pulse corresponding to said acoustic pulse is reflected from the interior of said laser to said coupling point without affecting operation of said laser, means for measuring a period of time between the coupling of said acoustic pulse and the return of said echo pulse to said coupling point, and means for processing the measured time difference to provide a temperature indication at the predetermined interior point within said laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
A thermometry system for a metal vapor laser comprising: transducer means for generating an acoustic pulse and for axially coupling said acoustic pulse a predetermined distance from a coupling point into the interior of said metal vapor laser such that an echo pulse corresponding to said acoustic pulse is reflected from the interior of said laser to said coupling point without affecting operation of said laser, means for measuring a period of time between the coupling of said acoustic pulse and the return of said echo pulse to said coupling point, and means for processing the measured time difference to provide a temperature indication at the predetermined interior point within said laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 7 wherein said transducer means includes an alumina rod.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 8 wherein said transducer means is lithium niobate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
A thermometry system for a metal vapor laser comprising: alumina rod means for axially coupling an acoustic pulse a predetermined distance from a coupling point into the interior of said laser such that an echo pulse corresponding to said acoustic pulse is reflected from the interior of said laser to said coupling point without affecting operation of said laser, means for measuring a period of time between the coupling of said acoustic pulse and the return of said echo pulse to said coupling point, and means for processing the measured time difference to provide a temperature profile within said laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A thermometry system for a metal vapor laser comprising: alumina rod means for axially coupling an acoustic pulse a predetermined distance from a coupling point into the interior of said laser such that an echo pulse corresponding to said acoustic pulse is reflected from the interior of said laser to said coupling point without affecting operation of said laser, means for measuring a period of time between the coupling of said acoustic pulse and the return of said echo pulse to said coupling point, and means for processing the measured time difference to provide a temperature profile within said laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a thermometry system for determining an indication of temperature within a laser at a predetermined point, the method comprising the steps of axially coupling an acoustic pulse a predetermined distance from a coupling point into the interior of said laser such that an echo pulse corresponding to said acoustic pulse is reflected from the interior of said laser to said coupling point without affecting operation of said laser, measuring a period of time between the coupling of said acoustic pulse and the return of said echo pulse to said coupling point, and processing the measured time difference to provide an indication of a temperature at the predetermined interior point within said laser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a thermometry system for determining an indication of temperature within a laser at a predetermined point, the method comprising the steps of axially coupling an acoustic pulse a predetermined distance from a coupling point into the interior of said laser such that an echo pulse corresponding to said acoustic pulse is reflected from the interior of said laser to said coupling point without affecting operation of said laser, measuring a period of time between the coupling of said acoustic pulse and the return of said echo pulse to said coupling point, and processing the measured time difference to provide an indication of a temperature at the predetermined interior point within said laser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as in claim 11 including the step of determining an occurrence of a first zero crossing point of said echo pulse after said echo pulse has oscillated through a first predetermined reference value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-09-28 | 1991-03-30 | 1991-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-28 | 1995-03-30 | 1995-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-28 | 1999-03-30 | 1999-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |