US5255277A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic pulse width controller for flashlamp pumped lasers
Assignee: Quantic Industries Inc
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Filing: 1991-09-30
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Granted: 1993-10-19
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Expires: 2011-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A flashlamp pumped laser is controlled to emit a series of narrow pulse width laser pulses in quick succession. A control circuit associated with the flashlamp receives firing signals of limited pulse duration and serves to ignite and extinguish the flashlamp in accordance with the leading and trailing edges of a single firing signal pulse. The laser generates a coherent light pulse corresponding to the pumping flashlamp pulse. The flashlamp control circuit includes a main capacitor which stores electric charge sufficient to provide current to the flashlamp for several pulses in succession. The circuit also includes a trigger capacitor which supplies current through a transformer coupled to the flashlamp to initiate current conduction therein. Both circuit paths, the main path through the flashlamp and the auxiliary path from the trigger capacitor, are commonly connected to an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) which serves as a switch to turn the flashlamp on and off in response to a firing signal pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph E. Carvalho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/091; H01S3/0915; H01S3/092; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/30; H05B41/32; H05B41/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; and circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for applying an inductive transient signal to said flashlamp to energize the flashlamp and initiate current conduction therein and means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy form said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; and circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for applying an inductive transient signal to said flashlamp to energize the flashlamp and initiate current conduction therein and means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy form said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means comprise a conductor wound about a portion of the flashlamp and means connecting said conductor to a transformer secondary winding coupled to said circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means comprise a transformer secondary winding connected in series circuit with said flashlamp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 5 further including means coupling said transformer secondary winding to said circuit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said terminating means comprise means for interrupting the flow of current through said flashlamp upon the termination of said firing signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 5 wherein both said activating means and said interrupting means comprise an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) connected in series circuit with said flashlamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
162 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy from said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal; said circuit means further including an electronic switching device connected in series circuit with said flashlamp and responsive to said applied firing signal to initiate current flow through a transformer which is connected in series circuit with said electronic switching device, the initiation of current through said transformer serving to develop an inductive transient signal which is coupled to said flashlamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
162 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy from said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal; said circuit means further including an electronic switching device connected in series circuit with said flashlamp and responsive to said applied firing signal to initiate current flow through a transformer which is connected in series circuit with said electronic switching device, the initiation of current through said transformer serving to develop an inductive transient signal which is coupled to said flashlamp.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said electronic switching device comprises an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy from said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal; said circuit means further including an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) in series circuit with said flashlamp for controlling the current path to said flashlamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy from said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal; said circuit means further including an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) in series circuit with said flashlamp for controlling the current path to said flashlamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the power supply comprises power source means and a main capacitor coupled to supply current to said flashlamp through said IGBT when said IGBT is triggered to the conducting condition by said firing signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 10 further including a trigger capacitor and a transformer connected in series circuit with said IGBT.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said transformer has a primary winding connected in series circuit with said trigger capacitor and said IGBT for initiating ignition of said flashlamp upon said IGBT being triggered into conduction by said firing signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said transformer further includes a secondary winding coupled to apply an inductive transient signal to said flashlamp to initiate ignition therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said secondary winding is connected in series circuit with said flashlamp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 14 further including a reversely polarized diode connected across said secondary winding for absorbing reverse polarity inductive transient signals therefrom.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said secondary winding is coupled to a conducting lead which is wound around a portion of said flashlamp to develop inductive coupling thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the termination of conduction in said IGBT upon the termination of said firing signal is effective to terminate further discharge of both said main capacitor and said trigger capacitor and to interrupt current flow through said flashlamp, thereby extinguishing the flashlamp and the associated laser.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 12 further including means for charging said trigger capacitor to a quiescent charge storage condition upon the termination of current flow through said IGBT in preparation for the ignition of said IGBT by the next-in-time firing signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
128 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy from said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal; sensing means responsive to light radiation generated by said system; and means coupled to the sensing means for controlling the termination of current flow in said flashlamp.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
128 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy from said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal; sensing means responsive to light radiation generated by said system; and means coupled to the sensing means for controlling the termination of current flow in said flashlamp.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said sensing means is positioned to respond to coherent light energy from said laser.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said sensing means is positioned to respond to light radiation from said flashlamp.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 19 further including a variable delay circuit coupled between said sensing means and said circuit means to initiate the interruption of flow of current through said flashlamp at a predetermined time interval following the light activation of said sensing means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
144 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy from said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal; distribution means positioned to receive a succession of pulses from said laser; a plurality of fiber optic output paths extending from said distributing means; and control means coupled to the distributor means for directing said pulses to predetermined ones of said output paths.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
144 words
A flashlamp pumped laser system comprising: a laser; a flashlamp coupled to said laser so as to pump said laser when the flashlamp is energized, thereby initiating a pulse of coherent light energy from said laser; a storage capacitor power supply for providing current to power said flashlamp during activation thereof; circuit means for selectively activating said flashlamp to pump said laser in response to an applied firing signal, said circuit means including means for selectively terminating the activation of said flashlamp and thereby terminating said pulse of light energy from said laser upon the termination of said applied firing signal; distribution means positioned to receive a succession of pulses from said laser; a plurality of fiber optic output paths extending from said distributing means; and control means coupled to the distributor means for directing said pulses to predetermined ones of said output paths.
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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) | 1996-10-18 | 1997-04-19 | 1997-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-18 | 2001-04-19 | 2001-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-18 | 2005-04-19 | 2005-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |