US4927226A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiplexer for high power CW lasers
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1989-03-27
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Granted: 1990-05-22
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Expires: 2009-03-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for multiplexing a coherent high power CW laser beam has a mirror mounted on a galvanometer to interrupt the laser beam and another mirror mounted on another galvanometer to deflect the laser beam to a selected pair of optical fibers. The other mirror is moved only when the laser beam is interrupted to avoid fiber damage. Yet another mirror mounted on a galvanometer can be used to provide a greater number of addressable fibers. A method of multiplexing comprises interrupting a laser beam, deflecting it, changing its direction only when interrupted, focussing it, and transmitting it through the optical fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Angel L. Ortiz, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:27
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/067; B23K26/0673; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2817; G02B6/42; G02B6/4296; G02B2006/4297
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for multiplexing a coherent high power continuous wave laser beam having a first path, said apparatus comprising: means for interrupting the propagation of said light beam along the first path; deflection means, disposed in the first path after said interruption means, for changing the direction of at least a portion of said laser beam to a second path, said deflection means changing the direction of said first path only when said interruption means is interrupting the propagation of said laser beam; first focussing means disposed in said second path and having a first focus plane; and a first plurality of means for transmitting laser beams, each of said plurality of means having an input end disposed in said first focus plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for multiplexing a coherent high power continuous wave laser beam having a first path, said apparatus comprising: means for interrupting the propagation of said light beam along the first path; deflection means, disposed in the first path after said interruption means, for changing the direction of at least a portion of said laser beam to a second path, said deflection means changing the direction of said first path only when said interruption means is interrupting the propagation of said laser beam; first focussing means disposed in said second path and having a first focus plane; and a first plurality of means for transmitting laser beams, each of said plurality of means having an input end disposed in said first focus plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a laser means for providing said coherent light beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said laser means comprises a ND:YAG laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interrupting means comprises a galvanometer and a mirror mounted on said galvanometer for deflecting the laser beam to an additional path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a beam dump disposed in said additional path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said beam dump comprises a power meter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said deflection means comprises a first addressing galvanometer and a first addressing mirror mounted on said galvanometer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said mirror is partially reflecting to transmit a portion of said laser beam, and further comprising: a second focussing means disposed in the path of said transmitted portion and having a second focus plane; and a second plurality of means for transmitting laser beams, each of said second plurality of means having an input end disposed in said second focus plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said focussing means comprises a lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said lens is plano-convex.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of means for transmitting laser beams comprises optical fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
159 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: a fixed partially reflecting mirror disposed in said first path between said interrupting means and said deflection means to provide a portion of the laser beam along a third path; a second addressing galvanometer; a second addressing partially reflecting mirror disposed in said third path and mounted on said second galvanometer to change the direction of a portion of the incident laser beam to a fourth path, said second addressing mirror and said second addressing galvanometer changing the direction of said fourth path only when said interrupting means is interrupting the laser beam, said second addressing mirror transmitting another portion of said incident laser beam in said third path; third and fourth focussing means respectively disposed in said third and fourth paths and respectively having third and fourth focus planes; and third and fourth pluralities of means for transmitting laser beams having ends respectively disposed in said third and fourth focus planes.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for multiplexing a coherent continuous wave laser beam, said method comprising: interrupting the propagation of the laser beam along a first path; deflecting at least a portion of the beam to a second path; changing the direction of said second path only when the laser beam is interrupted; focusing the laser beam in said second path; and transmitting the focussed light.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for multiplexing a coherent continuous wave laser beam, said method comprising: interrupting the propagation of the laser beam along a first path; deflecting at least a portion of the beam to a second path; changing the direction of said second path only when the laser beam is interrupted; focusing the laser beam in said second path; and transmitting the focussed light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising measuring the power of the interrupted laser beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising transmitting a portion of the laser beam in said first path after said deflecting step, focussing the transmitted portion, and transmitting the focussed laser beam in said first path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising: partially reflecting the interrupted laser beam to a third path; deflecting a portion of the partially reflected laser beam to a fourth path; changing the direction of said fourth path only when the laser beam is interrupted; focussing the laser beam in said fourth path; transmitting the focussed laser beam in said fourth path; transmitting a portion of the laser beam in said third path after said deflecting step; focussing the transmitted portion; and transmitting the focussed laser beam in said third path.
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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) | 1993-05-21 | 1993-11-20 | 1994-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-21 | 1997-11-20 | 1998-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-21 | 2001-11-20 | 2002-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |