US5189678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Coupling apparatus for a metal vapor laser
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1986-09-29
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Granted: 1993-02-23
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Expires: 2006-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser is disclosed. The coupling apparatus provides for coupling high voltage pulses (approximately 40 KV) to a metal vapor laser with a high repetition rate (approximately 5 KHz). The coupling apparatus utilizes existing thyratron circuits and provides suitable power input to a large bore metal vapor laser while maintaining satisfactory operating lifetimes for the existing thyratron circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 Don G. Ball
- 👤 John L. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Coupling apparatus for a metal vapor laser comprising thyratron means for generating a first series of voltage pulses having a first amplitude and a first high repetition rate, coupling means responsive to said first series of pulses for increasing said amplitude to a second amplitude higher than said first amplitude, thereby forming a second series of pulses at said first repetition rate, said coupling means for coupling said second series of pulses having said second amplitude to said metal vapor laser wherein said coupling means include peaking switch means for coupling said second series of pulses to said laser, first capacitor means for charging to a first voltage corresponding approximately to said first amplitude, second capacitor means for charging to a second voltage corresponding to said first amplitude, and means for connecting in series said charges on said first and second capacitor means to said metal vapor laser, thereby increasing said first amplitude to said second amplitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Coupling apparatus for a metal vapor laser comprising thyratron means for generating a first series of voltage pulses having a first amplitude and a first high repetition rate, coupling means responsive to said first series of pulses for increasing said amplitude to a second amplitude higher than said first amplitude, thereby forming a second series of pulses at said first repetition rate, said coupling means for coupling said second series of pulses having said second amplitude to said metal vapor laser wherein said coupling means include peaking switch means for coupling said second series of pulses to said laser, first capacitor means for charging to a first voltage corresponding approximately to said first amplitude, second capacitor means for charging to a second voltage corresponding to said first amplitude, and means for connecting in series said charges on said first and second capacitor means to said metal vapor laser, thereby increasing said first amplitude to said second amplitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Coupling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said laser is a large bore laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Coupling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said laser is a small bore laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Coupling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said coupling means include first inductor means connected to receive said first series of pulses to limit the rise of current through said thyratron means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
Coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser comprising thyratron means for generating a repetitious series of high voltage pulses, said thyratron circuit energized by a series of high repetition trigger pulses to generate said high voltage pulses, inductor means connected to said thyratron circuit for receiving said pulses to limit the rise of current through said thyratron circuit. first capacitor means for charging to a first voltage at a rate corresponding to the repetition rate of said first series, second capacitor means for charging to a second voltage corresponding approximately to said first voltage, and peaking switch means for connecting said first and second charges in series to said metal vapor laser thereby increasing said high voltage pulses to higher voltage pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
Coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser comprising thyratron means for generating a repetitious series of high voltage pulses, said thyratron circuit energized by a series of high repetition trigger pulses to generate said high voltage pulses, inductor means connected to said thyratron circuit for receiving said pulses to limit the rise of current through said thyratron circuit. first capacitor means for charging to a first voltage at a rate corresponding to the repetition rate of said first series, second capacitor means for charging to a second voltage corresponding approximately to said first voltage, and peaking switch means for connecting said first and second charges in series to said metal vapor laser thereby increasing said high voltage pulses to higher voltage pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
Coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser comprising thyratron means for generating a first series of voltage pulses having a first amplitude and a first repetition rate, coupling means responsive to said first series of pulses for increasing said first amplitude to a second amplitude higher than said first amplitude, thereby forming a second series of pulses at said first repetition rate, said coupling means including peaking switch means for coupling said second series of pulses having said second amplitude to said large bore metal vapor laser, first capacitor means for charging to a first voltage corresponding approximately to said first amplitude, second capacitor means for charging to a second voltage corresponding to said first amplitude, and means for connecting in series said charges on said first and second capacitor means to said metal vapor laser, thereby increasing said first amplitude to said second amplitude.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
Coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser comprising thyratron means for generating a first series of voltage pulses having a first amplitude and a first repetition rate, coupling means responsive to said first series of pulses for increasing said first amplitude to a second amplitude higher than said first amplitude, thereby forming a second series of pulses at said first repetition rate, said coupling means including peaking switch means for coupling said second series of pulses having said second amplitude to said large bore metal vapor laser, first capacitor means for charging to a first voltage corresponding approximately to said first amplitude, second capacitor means for charging to a second voltage corresponding to said first amplitude, and means for connecting in series said charges on said first and second capacitor means to said metal vapor laser, thereby increasing said first amplitude to said second amplitude.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser wherein said laser includes a thyratron circuit for generating a first series of voltage pulses having a first amplitude and a first repetition rate, and wherein said coupling apparatus is responsive to said first series of pulses for increasing said first amplitude to a second amplitude, higher than said first amplitude, thereby forming a second series of pulses, at said first repetition rate, the improvement wherein said coupling means includes peaking switch means for coupling said second series of pulses having said second amplitude to said large bore metal vapor laser, first capacitor means for charging to a first voltage corresponding approximately to said first amplitude, second capacitor means for charging to a second voltage corresponding to said first amplitude, and means for connecting in series said charges on said first and second capacitor means to said metal vapor laser, thereby increasing said first amplitude to said second amplitude.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser wherein said laser includes a thyratron circuit for generating a first series of voltage pulses having a first amplitude and a first repetition rate, and wherein said coupling apparatus is responsive to said first series of pulses for increasing said first amplitude to a second amplitude, higher than said first amplitude, thereby forming a second series of pulses, at said first repetition rate, the improvement wherein said coupling means includes peaking switch means for coupling said second series of pulses having said second amplitude to said large bore metal vapor laser, first capacitor means for charging to a first voltage corresponding approximately to said first amplitude, second capacitor means for charging to a second voltage corresponding to said first amplitude, and means for connecting in series said charges on said first and second capacitor means to said metal vapor laser, thereby increasing said first amplitude to said second amplitude.
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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) | 1996-02-23 | 1996-08-24 | 1997-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-23 | 2000-08-24 | 2001-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-23 | 2004-08-24 | 2005-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |