United Technologies Corporation

Robert K Stalcup

Karl M Prewo

Warren R Sigman

Russell L Carlson

Robert K Hon

Joe F Arnold

Arthur L Zanotti

Saulius M Jameikis

A laser mirror is described having a base section, a backing section, and a laser radiation reflecting surface. The base section and backing section are formed of graphite fiber reinforced glass. The fibers in the base section are oriented in a plane parallel to the laser radiation reflecting surface. The fibers in the backing section are oriented in a plane perpendicular to the radii of the reflecting surface. Based on the materials employed and the orientation of the fibers, a laser mirror with improved thermal distortion properties results.

Composite laser mirror

Laser mirrors of high thermal conductivity and dimensional stability at high temperatures are disclosed which also contain cooling channels in close proximity to the laser radiation reflecting surface. Methods of making the same are also disclosed comprising using channel forming inserts laid up between layers of the graphite fiber and glass composition which are then hot pressed and removed either by the application of mechanical pressure or chemical dissolution. Alternatively, such inserts are laid on the mold and the graphite-glass composition hot pressed on the inserts which are then mechanically removed followed by bonding a flat sheet of a separately formed graphite-glass composite to the grooved surface. Another method includes forming grooves in a preformed graphite-glass composite followed by filling the grooves with channel forming inserts and hot pressing additional graphite-glass on the inserts.

Methods of making cooled, thermally stable composite mirrors

Cooled, thermally stable composite mirrors

A laser mirror stable at high and low temperatures is described comprising graphite fibers in a glass matrix. The mirror is made by hot pressing a graphite fiber lay-up in a glass matrix in a die having a highly polished mirror replicating surface, the fibers laid up in such a way to produce a central plane of symmetry across the central plane of the composite. In use, the composite requires a separate laser reflecting surface layer. The resulting laser mirror has a low density but no porosity, high elastic stiffness, high strength, high fracture toughness, low thermal expansion, high thermal conductivity and environmental stability.

Method of making a graphite-glass composite laser mirror

A fixture capable of accurately manipulating a workpiece through a circular arc is provided. Various concepts useful in the formation of a cylindrical surface on the workpiece are developed. One fixture described includes a pair of opposing spherical surfaces which are restricted in degree of movement by a key extending from one surface into a slot in the opposing surface.

Fixture for use in forming cylindrical surfaces of accurate dimension

A laser mirror stable at high and low temperatures is described comprising graphite fibers in a glass matrix. The mirror is made by hot pressing a graphite fiber lay-up in a glass matrix in a die, the fibers laid up in such a way to produce a central plane of symmetry across the central plane of the composite. In use, the composite requires a separate laser reflecting surface layer. The resulting laser mirror has a low density but no porosity, high elastic stiffness, high strength, high fracture toughness, low thermal expansion, high thermal conductivity and environmental stability.

Graphite-glass composite laser mirror

An optical mirror having coolant means for compensating thermal tilt of the reflective surface is disclosed. The optical mirror has a laminated structure formed of a plurality of plates including a faceplate, a second plate, a third plate, a substrate plate and a back plate each having coolant means therein for passing a coolant therethrough. The plurality of plates are bonded together to form the laminated structure. Each of a plurality of first coolant channels disposed within the faceplate have a substantially parallel relationship with one another and a substantially vertical, parallel relationship with each of a plurality of second coolant channels disposed within the second plate. Counterflowing coolant within adjacent coolant channels in the faceplate and in the second plate and between vertically adjacent first and second coolant channels essentially eliminates tilt of the reflective surface resulting from the absorbed heat load and the frictional heating of the coolant flowing through the coolant channels. Heating channels disposed within the back plate are adapted for passing heated coolant therethrough for inducing a thermal stress within the back plate in a direction and magnitude to balance bending stress produced within the faceplate by the thermal growth of the faceplate in the radial direction resulting from heat generated by radiation incident thereon.

Thermally stabilized mirror

A pressure balancing fluid transfer manifold for use with fluid cooled laser mirrors is disclosed. The manifold is adapted for connection to the inlet and outlet ports of a fluid cooled laser mirror and includes an interface fitting adapted for being fixedly connected to a mounting plate which supports the laser mirror and a housing fixedly attached to the mirror wherein the interface fitting is sealably engaged within the housing with O-ring type seals. Elongated slots within the walls of the fitting are adapted for passing coolant from the fitting to the mirror coolant distribution system. Hydraulic pressures within the fitting are decoupled from the mirrors by a vented cavity located between the end of the fitting and the mirror and the pressure forces are transmitted through the fitting to the mounting plate thereby minimizing distortion of the mirror resulting from unbalanced pressure forces. In one embodiment the interface fitting is coupled directly to the coolant distribution system within the mirror.

Laser mirror with coolant fluid transfer manifold

A cooled laser mirror assembly and mounting structure wherein a laser mirror is mounted in a housing with a coolant flow transfer tube located in two places around the periphery of the laser mirror, one flow transfer tube assembly being for coolant flow into said mirror assembly while the other transfer tube assembly is for directing a fluid flow from said laser mirror assembly. These transfer tube assemblies provide for a coolant flow into and out of the mirror without providing a direct or coolant pressure loading into the mirror. Passage means connects the inner end of the coolant flow transfer tube to passages adjacent the reflecting surface of the mirror. This pressure balance means directs the coolant flow into parallel passages adjacent the reflecting surface of the mirror in the same direction.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Park, FL, United States of America

Robert K Stalcup