American Laser Corporation

Hgm, Inc.

Laser Corp

Edwin G Chaffee

Howard M Tanner

George A Nelson

Steve H Holtman

A high temperature laser solenoid incorporates a combination of thermally and electrically insulating components to replace and to exceed the operating limits of epoxy encapsulation which solenoid is used in cooperation with a mechanically driven cooling air flow. The solenoid construction includes a layer of high temperature resistant, electrical insulation assembled on an aluminum bobbin adapted for coil winding so as to create a solenoid. High temperature insulated magnet wire is wound into a coil on the bobbin and the coil is covered with an additional high temperature resistant, electrically insulating film layer. Wire leads are passed through notches formed through the insulation barrier and the bobbin flanges and the solenoid is covered by an intimately contacting preformed heat conductive tubular casing. Forced draft cooling is supplied to the laser assembly, and particularly to the solenoids, by a positive pressure input ventilator and a negative pressure suction fan to maintain a controlled thermal environment. The solenoid is preferably associated with a single piece laser tube for increased laser life.

Gas laser solenoid and cooling apparatus

A gas replenishment system for a gas laser utilizes a gas metering device between a gas reservoir and the gas laser tube which operates at a pressure below the gas reservoir pressure. The metering device incorporates a body of gas entrapping material. The tube pressure is detected and when low an electrically controlled valve is energized for a predetermined time which allows gas to flow from the reservoir, into the gas entrapping material and from there to the tube. If the tube pressure is not restored to its proper level, the system recycles for another equivalent period of time.

Laser gas replenishment system

A gas laser tube assembly terminates at one end with a directly affixed selectively coated curved mirror and at the opposite end with a directly affixed selectively coated half-Littrow prism oriented such that one hundred percent (100%) purity, single line, polarized light results.

Single line laser and method

A plurality of thin wall ceramic-metal segments are brazed together to form a gas laser tube assembly. Within each segment there is mounted a refractory metal ferrule with a central hole. The series of holes formed in the ferrules define the discharge bore. A plurality of ferrules are mounted in each segment and each ferrule is separately mounted within a heat dissipating fin structure.

Segmented air cooled laser tube

A gas laser tube is fitted with internal mirrors only and no windows. The laser tube is processed by heating the tube with the ends open in a vacuum oven to drive out contaminating substances. The mirrors are installed by cold welding after the tube has been decontaminated and filled with a fresh supply of its operating gas. The mirrors mount on flexible bellows which enable the mirrors to be easily aligned.

Method for assembly of laser mirrors

Cold welded laser mirror assembly

A plurality of thin wall ceramic-metal segments are brazed together to form a gas laser tube assembly. Within each segment there is mounted a ferrule with a central hole. The series of holes formed in the ferrules define the discharge bore and gas return paths are formed in the wall of structure supporting the ferrules.

Segmented laser tube structure

An improved optical delivery assembly for an argon-ion or similar medical laser attaches to a wobble plate for thermal tracking and supports in a single integral subassembly an adjustable focusing lens, a beam splitter and associated light detector enabling selective display of power at both proximal and distal ends of the fiber, scattering and blocking shutters, a scattering shutter position sensor, shutter control solenoids, an optical plug position sensor and an optical plug mounting block adapted to interchangeably receive any of several types of optical fiber connecting plugs.

Laser optical delivery apparatus

A plurality of thin wall ceramic-metal segments are brazed together alternately with pairs of metal sealing rings to form a gas laser tube assembly. Within each segment there is mounted a refractory metal disc with a central hole. The series of holes formed in the discs define the discharge bore and gas return paths are formed in the wall of the segments.

Laser tube structure

An improved argon-ion gas laser utilizes a dispenser-type cathode and within the cathode shroud mounts a preignition electrode and a heat shield enabling the cathode to be operated efficiently and within a 900.degree.-1050.degree. C. temperature range over an extended period of time.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Edwin G Chaffee