US4760583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser delivery system
Assignee: Coherent Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-24
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Granted: 1988-07-26
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Expires: 2007-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An improved gas laser is disclosed. The laser has a support tube to support and to maintain the alignment of the optical resonator structure. The gas lasing medium is used within the support tube to maintain the tube at a substantially constant temperature above the ambient. Furthermore, an active temperature controller is disclosed. The temperature controller maintains the gas lasing medium in the support tube at a substantially constant temperature. An active pressure controller is also disclosed. The active pressure controller uses a pressure sensor, an electronic processor, and a motor-driven needle valve to maintain the pressure of the gas lasing medium in the laser within the desired operating pressure range. The laser can also be switched in operation from a continuous mode to a pulsing mode. An active power control system is disclosed wherein the power output of the laser, through an active feedback loop is maintained at the desired level. Because the optical resonator structure is light weight, it can be mounted on a mechanical assembly. The beam is delivered to a desired location by the mechanical assembly. Finally, a distributive lasing system comprising a centralized pump delivering the lasing medium to a plurality of remotely located optical resonator structures is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael W. Sasnett
- 👤 Donald Bowes
- 👤 Richard J. Saunders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:01
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/035; B23K26/08; B23K26/0869; B23K26/0876; B23K26/0884; B23K26/10; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/036; H01S3/10; H01S3/13; H01S3/131; H01S3/134; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for delivering a beam of coherent radiation to a desired location, said apparatus comprising: a mechanical assembly comprising a plurality of coupled structural members, wherein each structural member is linked for relative movement with an adjacent structural member to form a plurality of joints; a mirror means positioned in one of said joints, such that the relative movement of said structural member forming said one joint moves said mirror means; laser means in one of said structural members for generating said beam, said laser means comprising: a fluid lasing medium which flows through and is enclosed in a support tube and a discharge tube, said support tube being connected to said discharge tube; said support tube supports and aligns an optical resonator structure; means for maintaining said medium in said support tube at a substantially constant temperature, such that said support tube maintains the alignment of said resonator structure; said discharge tube includes means for exciting said lasing medium; said discharge tube being positioned in and aligned with said optical resonator structure; said discharge tube receives said lasing medium from said support tube, and passes said medium away from said support tube after excitation to an exhaust tube so that said support tube continues to be maintained at a substantially constant temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for delivering a beam of coherent radiation to a desired location, said apparatus comprising: a mechanical assembly comprising a plurality of coupled structural members, wherein each structural member is linked for relative movement with an adjacent structural member to form a plurality of joints; a mirror means positioned in one of said joints, such that the relative movement of said structural member forming said one joint moves said mirror means; laser means in one of said structural members for generating said beam, said laser means comprising: a fluid lasing medium which flows through and is enclosed in a support tube and a discharge tube, said support tube being connected to said discharge tube; said support tube supports and aligns an optical resonator structure; means for maintaining said medium in said support tube at a substantially constant temperature, such that said support tube maintains the alignment of said resonator structure; said discharge tube includes means for exciting said lasing medium; said discharge tube being positioned in and aligned with said optical resonator structure; said discharge tube receives said lasing medium from said support tube, and passes said medium away from said support tube after excitation to an exhaust tube so that said support tube continues to be maintained at a substantially constant temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said optical resonator structure comprises a first mirror means positioned at one end of said support tube and a second mirror means positioned at the other end of said support tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said temperature is above the ambient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said discharge tube is positioned parallel to said support tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said discharge tube receives said medium from said support tube substantially near the ends of the discharge tube; said medium being transported axially through said discharge tube, away from the ends thereof; and said medium being passed to the exhaust tube away from the ends of the discharge tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of discharge tubes, each parallel to said support member, and positioned axially spaced from one another by approximately ninety degrees (90°).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support tube is positioned substantially near the center of said optical resonator structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a heat exchanger wherein said medium is passed therethrough; and a cooling fluid supplied to said heat exchanger for cooling said medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said maintaining means further comprises temperature sensing means positioned to sense the temperature of said lasing medium and for producing a first signal in response thereto; electronic signal processing means for receiving said first signal and for receiving a reference signal, representative of a reference temperature, and for generating a drive signal in response thereto; and solenoid means positioned to control the flow of said cooling fluid to said heat exchanger; said solenoid means for receiving said drive signal and for controlling the flow of said cooling fluid in response thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electronic signal processing means further comprises a signal generating means for generating a second signal, said second signal varying repetitively over time: means for summing said first and said second signal to produce a third signal; and means for comparing said third signal to said reference signal to produce said drive signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mirror means provides a ninety degree phase shift to said beam to produce a circularly polarized beam from an incident linearly polarized beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mirror means provides zero degree phase shift from a beam reflected therefrom to a beam incident thereon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for focusing said beam onto said location, said focusing means in said assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said focusing means is detachable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for removing said focusing means and replacing said focusing means with a different focusing means.
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) | 1991-07-26 | 1992-01-25 | 1992-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-26 | 1996-01-25 | 1996-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-26 | 2000-01-25 | 2000-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |