US4734915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conduction cooled laser bore structures formed from graphite and other materials
Assignee: Coherent Inc
•
Filing: 1985-03-26
•
Granted: 1988-03-29
•
Expires: 2005-03-26
Abstract
Abstract The subject invention is related to a new and improved bore assembly for use with a gaseous ion laser. Each bore assembly is mountable to a heat conducting member located within the tube. The heat conducting member is provided with a central opening and is connected at the periphery thereof to the inner surface of the tube. The bore assembly of the subject invention includes a discharge confining element having a central channel and formed from a sputter-resistant material such as graphite. An outer support member is provided which is disposed about at least a portion of the discharge confining element and is brazed to the heat conducting member in a manner to mechanically constrain the discharge confining element. During assembly, the opening of the channels of the discharge confining elements are coaxially aligned. During operation of the laser, the mechanically constrained discharge confining element will be heated and expand radially into the outer support member until thermal equilibrium is achieved thereby defining a thermally conductive pathway for cooling the laser.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne S. Mefferd
- 👤 Joseph L. Dallarosa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/04; H01S3/041; H01S3/03; H01S3/032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A mechanically constrained bore assembly for use within a gas laser tube, said bore assembly being mountable to a heat conducting member, said heat conducting member having a central opening and a periphery, with the periphery of said heat conducting member being attached to the tube of the gas laser at the inner surface thereof, said bore assembly comprising: a discharge confining element formed from a sputter-resistant material, said discharge confining element having a central channel; and an outer support member disposed about at least a portion of said discharge confining element and connected to the heat conducting member such that said discharge confining element is mechanically constrained whereby during operation of the laser, a thermally conductive path is estblished between the discharge confining element and the outer support member, thereby providing a suputter-resistant inner bore as well as a path for cooling said bore by conduction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A mechanically constrained bore assembly for use within a gas laser tube, said bore assembly being mountable to a heat conducting member, said heat conducting member having a central opening and a periphery, with the periphery of said heat conducting member being attached to the tube of the gas laser at the inner surface thereof, said bore assembly comprising: a discharge confining element formed from a sputter-resistant material, said discharge confining element having a central channel; and an outer support member disposed about at least a portion of said discharge confining element and connected to the heat conducting member such that said discharge confining element is mechanically constrained whereby during operation of the laser, a thermally conductive path is estblished between the discharge confining element and the outer support member, thereby providing a suputter-resistant inner bore as well as a path for cooling said bore by conduction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer support member is connected to said heat conducting member by brazing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said outer support member is formed from a material more suitable for brazing than the material defining said discharge confining element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said discharge confining member is generally cylindrical in configuration with one end thereof being connected to the heat conducting member and with the other end thereof defining a free end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said outer support member is generally cylindrical in configuration and surrounds said discharge confining element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein the outer surface of said discharge confining element is provided with a threaded configuration and wherein the inner surface of said outer support member is provided with a complementary threaded configuration engageable with the threads of said discharge confining element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein the inner surface of said outer support member includes an annular rim adjacent the free end thereof, said rim having an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of said discharge confining element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein the free end of said cylindrical support member is crimped radially inwardly about the periphery of the discharge confining element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said discharge confining element is tapered to a smaller diameter extending away from said heat conducting member and wherein the inner surface of said support member is provided with a complementary tapered configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said complimentary tapered surfaces of said discharge confining element and said outer support member are frusto-conical in configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of the discharge confining element adjacent the associated heat conducting member is greater than the diameter of the centrl opening of the heat conducting member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said discharge confining element is formed from graphite.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
A bore assembly for use within a gas laser tube, said bore assembly being mountable to a heat conducting member, said heat conducting member having a central opening and a periphery, with the periphery of said heat conducting member being attached to the tube of the gas laser at the inner surface thereof, said bore assembly comprising: a discharge confining element formed from graphite and having a central channel; and an intermediate component connectable to both said heat conducting member and said graphite discharge confining element, said intermediate component functioning to facilitate alignment of the central channel of said graphite discharge confining element and to define a thermally conductive path between the graphite discharge confining element and the heat conducting member, thereby providing a sputter-resistant inner bore as well as a path for cooling said bore by conduction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
A bore assembly for use within a gas laser tube, said bore assembly being mountable to a heat conducting member, said heat conducting member having a central opening and a periphery, with the periphery of said heat conducting member being attached to the tube of the gas laser at the inner surface thereof, said bore assembly comprising: a discharge confining element formed from graphite and having a central channel; and an intermediate component connectable to both said heat conducting member and said graphite discharge confining element, said intermediate component functioning to facilitate alignment of the central channel of said graphite discharge confining element and to define a thermally conductive path between the graphite discharge confining element and the heat conducting member, thereby providing a sputter-resistant inner bore as well as a path for cooling said bore by conduction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said intermediate component comprises: an outer support member disposed about at least a portion of said graphite element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said outer support member is connected to said heat conducting member by brazing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein the outer surface of said discharge confining element is tapered to a smaller diameter extending away from said heat conducting member and wherein the inner surface of said support member is provided with a complementary tapered configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said complimentary tapered surfaces of said discharge confining element and said outer support member are frusto-conical in configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said outer support member is formed from copper.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 18 wherein said graphite element is press fit within said copper outer support member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said graphite discharge confining element is brazed to said intermediate component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bore assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein the intermediate component is connected to said heat conducting member by brazing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
161 words
A gaseous ion laser comprising: a gas-confining cylindrical tube made of relatively thin-walled, electrically insulating material; a plurality of heat conducting members, each having a central opening and a periphery with the periphery of each said heat conducting member being attached to the cylindrical tube at the inner surface thereof; a plurality of bore assemblies, ech bore assembly including a discharge confining element formed from a sputter-resistant material and having a central channel defined therein, each said bore assembly further including an outer support member disposed about said discharge confining element and connected to individual ones of said heat conducting members such that the discharge confining element is mechanically constrained and a path for conductively cooling said element is defined and with the central channel of each of said discharge confining elements being coaxially aligned; means for exciting a gas within said tube; gas return means for equilizing gas pressure within said tube; and an optical cavity aligned around said tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
161 words
A gaseous ion laser comprising: a gas-confining cylindrical tube made of relatively thin-walled, electrically insulating material; a plurality of heat conducting members, each having a central opening and a periphery with the periphery of each said heat conducting member being attached to the cylindrical tube at the inner surface thereof; a plurality of bore assemblies, ech bore assembly including a discharge confining element formed from a sputter-resistant material and having a central channel defined therein, each said bore assembly further including an outer support member disposed about said discharge confining element and connected to individual ones of said heat conducting members such that the discharge confining element is mechanically constrained and a path for conductively cooling said element is defined and with the central channel of each of said discharge confining elements being coaxially aligned; means for exciting a gas within said tube; gas return means for equilizing gas pressure within said tube; and an optical cavity aligned around said tube.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laser as recited in claim 22 wherein each said outer support member is connected to the associated heat conducting member by brazing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laser as recited in claim 22 wherein each said discharge confining element is brazed with an active metal braze material to each said outer support member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A laser as recited in claim 22 wherein said discharge confining members are generally cylindrical in configuration.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser as recited in claim 25 wherein said outer support members are generally cylindrical in configuration and surround the associated discharge confining elements.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
A laser as recited in claim 26 wherein the outer surface of said discharge confining elements are provided with a threaded configuration and wherein the inner surface of the associated outer support members are provided with a complementary threaded configuration engageable with the threads of said discharge confining element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
A laser as recited in claim 26 wherein the inner surface of said outer support members include an annular rim adjacent the free end thereof, said rim having an inner dimater less than the outer diameter of the associated discharge confining element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
A laser as recited in claim 26 wherein the free end of each cylindrical support member is crimped radially inwardly about the periphery of the associated discharge confining element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
A laser as recited in claim 22 wherein the outer surface of each discharge confining element is tapered to a smaller diameter extending away from the associated heat conducting member and wherein the inner surface of the associated outer support member is provided with a complementary tapered configuration.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser as recited in claim 30 wherein said complimentary tapered surfaces of said discharge confining elements and said outer support members are frusto-conical in configuration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser as recited in claim 22 wherein said discharge confining elements are formed from graphite.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser as recited in claim 22 wherein said gas return means includes a plurality of apertures formed in said heat conducting members located radially outwardly from said bore assemblies.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser as recited in claim 33 wherein the dimensions of each bore assembly are sufficient to shield the apertures in the heat conducting members from the discharge.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
A laser as recited in claim 34 wherein the axial gap between opposed ends of adjacent bore defining elements does not exceed the diameter of said central channels of the bore defining elements.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
149 words
A gaseous ion laser comprising: a gas-confining cylindrical tube made of relatively thin-walled, elctrically insulating material; a plurality of heat conducting members, each having a central opening and a periphery with the periphery of each said heat conducting member being attached to the cylindrical tube at the inner surface thereof; a plurality of bore assemblies, each bore assembly including a discharge confining element formed from graphite and having a central channel defined therein, each said bore assembly further including an intermediate component connected to both said graphite discharge confining element and a heat conducting member such that the central channel of each of said graphite discharge confining elements are coaxially aligned and a path for conductively cooling each of said elements is defined; means for exciting a gas within said tube; gas return means for equalizing gas pressure within said tube; and an optical cavity aligned around said tube.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
149 words
A gaseous ion laser comprising: a gas-confining cylindrical tube made of relatively thin-walled, elctrically insulating material; a plurality of heat conducting members, each having a central opening and a periphery with the periphery of each said heat conducting member being attached to the cylindrical tube at the inner surface thereof; a plurality of bore assemblies, each bore assembly including a discharge confining element formed from graphite and having a central channel defined therein, each said bore assembly further including an intermediate component connected to both said graphite discharge confining element and a heat conducting member such that the central channel of each of said graphite discharge confining elements are coaxially aligned and a path for conductively cooling each of said elements is defined; means for exciting a gas within said tube; gas return means for equalizing gas pressure within said tube; and an optical cavity aligned around said tube.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser as recited in claim 36 wherein said gas return means includes a plurality of apertures formed in said heat conducting members located radially outwardly from said bore assesmblies.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser as recited in claim 37 wherein the dimensions of the bore assembly are sufficient to shield the apertures in the heat conducting members from the discharge.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
A laser as recited in claim 38 wherein the axial gap between the ends of the adjacent discharge confining elements does not exceed the diameter of the central channels of said graphite elements.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser as recited in claim 36 wherein said intermediate component comprises: an outer support member disposed about at least a portion of said graphite element.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A laser as recited in claim 40 wherein each said outer support member is connected to the associated heat conducting member by brazing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
47 words
A laser as recited in claim 40 wherein the outer surface of each discharge confining element is tapered to a smaller diameter extending away from the associated heat conducting member and wherein the inner surface of the associated support member is provided with a complementary tapered configuration.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser as recited in claim 42 wherein said complimentary tapered surfaces of said discharge confining elements and said outer support members are frusto-conical in configuration.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
A laser as recited in claim 43 wherein the outer support members are formed from copper and said graphite elements are press fit within said copper outer support members.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
A laser as recited in claim 36 wherein said graphite discharge confining elements are brazed to said intermediate components.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser as recited in claim 45 wherein said intermediate components are connected to said heat conducting members by brazing.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
191 words
A laser comprising: a gas-confining cylindrical tube made of relatively thin-walled, electrically insulating material; a plurality of heat conducting members, each having a central opening and a periphery with the periphery of each said heat conducting member being attached to the cylindrical tube at the inner surface thereof; a plurality of bore assemblies, each bore assembly including a discharge confining element formed from graphite and having a central channel defined therein, each said bore assembly further including an outer support member disposed about at least a portion of said graphite element and brazed to individual ones of said heat conducting members, and wherein the outer surface of each graphite element is frusto-conical and wherein the inner surface of each outer support member is provided with a complementary configuration, and wherein the graphite element is press fit within said outer support member to define a path for conductively cooling said graphite element and with the central channel of each of said graphite element being coaxially aligned; means for exciting a gas within said tube; gas return means for equalizing gas pressure within said tube; and an optical cavity aligned around said tube.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
191 words
A laser comprising: a gas-confining cylindrical tube made of relatively thin-walled, electrically insulating material; a plurality of heat conducting members, each having a central opening and a periphery with the periphery of each said heat conducting member being attached to the cylindrical tube at the inner surface thereof; a plurality of bore assemblies, each bore assembly including a discharge confining element formed from graphite and having a central channel defined therein, each said bore assembly further including an outer support member disposed about at least a portion of said graphite element and brazed to individual ones of said heat conducting members, and wherein the outer surface of each graphite element is frusto-conical and wherein the inner surface of each outer support member is provided with a complementary configuration, and wherein the graphite element is press fit within said outer support member to define a path for conductively cooling said graphite element and with the central channel of each of said graphite element being coaxially aligned; means for exciting a gas within said tube; gas return means for equalizing gas pressure within said tube; and an optical cavity aligned around said tube.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser as recited in claim 47 wherein said gas return means includes a plurality of apertures formed in said heat conducting members located radially outwardly from said bore assemblies.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser as recited in claim 48 wherein the dimensions of the bore assembly are sufficient to shield the apertures in the heat conducting members from the discharge.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laser as recited in claim 49 wherein said spacing between adjacent bore assemblies does not exceed the diameter of said central channels of the graphite elements.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
A laser as recited in claim 50 wherein the axial spacing between like points on adjacent bore assemblies is less than 3.0 times the diameter of the central channel of the graphite element.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
A laser as recited in claim 47 wherein the graphite elements are brazed within the outer support member.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser as recited in claim 47 wherein the outer support members are formed from copper.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
A laser as recited in claim 47 wherein the outer support members are formed from molybdenum.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for fabricating a laser discharge tube, said tube having a plurality of heat conducting members located within an electrically insulating tube, each heat conducting member having a central opening, comprising the steps of: assembling a plurality of bore structures, each bore structure being defined by a discharge confining element having a central opening and an outer support member surrounding at least a portion of the discharge confining element; positioning each bore structure adjacent to individual ones of said heat conducting members in a manner such that the central opening of all the discharge confining elements are coaxially aligned; connecting each said outer support member to the adjacent heat conducting member such that the discharge confining element is mechanically constrained and defining a thermal path to the heat conducting member for conductively cooling the discharge confining element.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for fabricating a laser discharge tube, said tube having a plurality of heat conducting members located within an electrically insulating tube, each heat conducting member having a central opening, comprising the steps of: assembling a plurality of bore structures, each bore structure being defined by a discharge confining element having a central opening and an outer support member surrounding at least a portion of the discharge confining element; positioning each bore structure adjacent to individual ones of said heat conducting members in a manner such that the central opening of all the discharge confining elements are coaxially aligned; connecting each said outer support member to the adjacent heat conducting member such that the discharge confining element is mechanically constrained and defining a thermal path to the heat conducting member for conductively cooling the discharge confining element.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 55 wherein said step of positioning the bore structures is performed by mounting said bore structures on a mandrel and thereafter tensioning said mandrel.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 56 wherein said outer support members are connected to the adjacent heat conducting member by brazing while said mandrel is tensioned.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 57 wherein during said brazing step the laser tube is held in a vertical orientation.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 55 wherein said discharge confining element is press fit within said outer support member.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of assembly as recited in claim 55 wherein the outer diameter of said discharge confining element is greater than the inner diameter of said outer support member and said bore structures are assembled by broaching.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 55 wherein the end of said outer support member opposed to said heat conducting member is crimped radially inwardly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-29 | 1991-09-28 | 1992-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-29 | 1995-09-28 | 1996-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-29 | 1999-09-28 | 2000-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |