Patent US5968038A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5968038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser powered heating elements
Assignee: University of South Florida St. Petersburg
•
Filing: 1996-10-31
•
Granted: 1999-10-19
•
Expires: 2016-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A laser-powered fiberoptic heating element comprises a crystalline optic fiber fusion bonded to a crystalline heat-generating tip section.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas I. Djeu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
17 words
An fiberoptic heating element comprising a crystalline optic fiber and a crystalline heat-generating tip section fused thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
An fiberoptic heating element comprising a crystalline optic fiber and a crystalline heat-generating tip section fused thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The heating element of claim 1, wherein said optic fiber is substantially transparent to laser light, and further wherein said heat-generating tip section is substantially opaque to laser light whereby laser light transmitted through said optic fiber is converted to thermal energy by said heat-generating tip section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The heating element of claim 2, wherein said optic fiber and said heat-generating tip section are made from the same crystalline material, the crystalline material in said heat-generating tip section being doped with a dopant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The heating element of claim 2, wherein said optic fiber and said heat-generating tip section are made from different crystalline materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The heating element of claim 4, wherein said optic fiber is made from a first crystalline material and said heat-generating tip section is made from a second crystalline material crystallographically compatible with said first crystalline material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The heating element of claim 5, wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion of said first and second crystalline materials are sufficiently close so that said heat-generating tip section can be repeatedly heated and cooled between room temperature and an elevated temperature approaching the melting point of said heat-generating tip section without destruction of said heating element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The heating element of claim 1, wherein the composition of said heat-generating tip section varies along its longitudinal direction whereby the generation of heat in said heat-generating tip section in response to irradiation with laser light varies along its longitudinal direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The heating element of claim 7, wherein the crystalline material forming said heat-generating tip section contains a dopant, the concentration of said dopant varying along the longitudinal direction of said heat-generating tip section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The heating element of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said heat-generating tip section is coated with a thin layer of metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The heating element of claim 1, further comprising a protective jacket on said optic fiber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The heating element of claim 1, further comprising a secondary fiber attached to said optic fiber remote from said heat-generating tip section for transmitting laser light from a laser light source to said optic fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The heating element of claim 1, wherein the diameter of said optic fiber is smallest at its point of attachment to said heat-generating tip section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The heating element of claim 12, wherein said optic fiber includes a distal section attached to said heat-generating tip section and a proximal section remote from said heat-generating tip section, the diameter of said distal section being less than the diameter of said proximal section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The heating element of claim 1, wherein said optic fiber is made from Y 3 Al 5 O 12 and further wherein said heat-generating tip element is made from Y 3 Al 5 O 12 doped with Nd.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The heating element of claim 1, wherein said heat-generating tip section is directly fusion bonded to said optic fiber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The heating element of claim 1, further comprising a buffer crystal intermediate said heat-generating tip section and said optic fiber, said buffer crystal being fusion bonded to both said heat-generating tip section and said optic fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The heating element of claim 1, wherein said tip section tapers to a point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 1, wherein said crystalline heating element is fused to said crystalline optic fiber without adhesive.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 18, wherein the crystalline heating element is attached to the optic fiber without adhesive.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 1, wherein said crystalline heating element is fused to said crystalline optic fiber by heating.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 1, wherein said crystalline heating element is fused to said crystalline optic fiber by growing said crystalline heating element on said optic fiber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 1, wherein the crystalline optic fiber has a distal end face, the distal end face of the optic fiber being fused to the crystalline heat-generating tip section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
93 words
A heating assembly comprising (a) a laser capable of producing laser light at a predetermined wavelength and (b) a fiberoptic heating element for converting said laser light to heat, said heating element comprising an optic fiber for receiving laser light produced by said laser, said optic fiber being substantially transparent to said laser light, and a crystalline heat-generating tip section fused to said optic fiber, said heat-generating tip section being substantially opaque to laser light whereby laser light transmitted through said optic fiber is converted to thermal energy by said heat-generating tip section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
93 words
A heating assembly comprising (a) a laser capable of producing laser light at a predetermined wavelength and (b) a fiberoptic heating element for converting said laser light to heat, said heating element comprising an optic fiber for receiving laser light produced by said laser, said optic fiber being substantially transparent to said laser light, and a crystalline heat-generating tip section fused to said optic fiber, said heat-generating tip section being substantially opaque to laser light whereby laser light transmitted through said optic fiber is converted to thermal energy by said heat-generating tip section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
88 words
The heating assembly of claim 23, wherein said optic fiber is made from a first crystalline material and said heat-generating tip section is made from a second crystalline material crystallographically compatible with said first crystalline material, and further wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion of said first and second crystalline materials are sufficiently close so that said heat-generating tip section can be repeatedly heated and cooled between room temperature and an elevated temperature approaching the melting point of said heat-generating tip section without destruction of said heating element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The heating element of claim 23, wherein said optic fiber and said heat-generating tip section are made from the same crystalline material, the crystalline material in said heat-generating tip section being doped with a dopant.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fiberoptic heating element comprising a crystalline optic fiber made from a first crystalline material and a crystalline heat-generating tip section made from a second crystalline material, the crystalline optic fiber and the crystalline heat-generating tip section being joined to one another at a junction, the first crystalline material and the second crystalline material being fused to one another at the junction.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fiberoptic heating element comprising a crystalline optic fiber made from a first crystalline material and a crystalline heat-generating tip section made from a second crystalline material, the crystalline optic fiber and the crystalline heat-generating tip section being joined to one another at a junction, the first crystalline material and the second crystalline material being fused to one another at the junction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claims 26, wherein the first and second crystalline materials are compatible with one another.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 26, wherein the crystalline optic fiber has a distal end face, the distal end face of the optic fiber being fused to the crystalline heat-generating tip section at the junction.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 26, wherein the crystal structure of the crystalline heat-generating tip section and the crystal structure of the crystalline optic fiber match.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 26, wherein the crystal structure of the crystalline heat-generating tip section registers with the crystal structure of the crystalline optic fiber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
74 words
A fiberoptic heating element comprising a crystalline optic fiber made from a first crystalline material and a crystalline heat-generating tip section made from a second crystalline material, the crystalline optic fiber and the crystalline heat-generating tip section being fused to one another at a junction, the material fusing the crystalline optic fiber and the crystalline heat-generating tip section together at their junction consisting essentially of the first crystalline material and the second crystalline material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
74 words
A fiberoptic heating element comprising a crystalline optic fiber made from a first crystalline material and a crystalline heat-generating tip section made from a second crystalline material, the crystalline optic fiber and the crystalline heat-generating tip section being fused to one another at a junction, the material fusing the crystalline optic fiber and the crystalline heat-generating tip section together at their junction consisting essentially of the first crystalline material and the second crystalline material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 31, wherein the material fusing the crystalline optic fiber and the crystalline heat-generating tip section together at their junction consists of the first crystalline material and the second crystalline material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fiberoptic heating element of claim 31, wherein the crystalline optic fiber has a distal end face, the distal end face of the optic fiber being fused to the crystalline heat-generating tip section at the junction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4660925A
Cited
US4693556A
Cited
US4729373A
Cited
US5380317A
Cited
US5242437A
Cited
US5078711A
Cited
US5209748A
Cited
US5304228A
Cited
US5320620A
Cited
US5370649A
Cited
US5196005A
Cited
US5275596A
Cited
US5527308A
Cited
US5520681A
Cited
US5342355A
Cited
US5549600A
Cited
US5562657A
Cited
US5782771A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-18 | 2003-04-19 | 2003-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | 2007-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-18 | 2011-04-19 | 2011-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |