The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 18, 1979
Filed:
May. 08, 1978
Raymond W Conrad, Russellville, AL (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
Plasma generation occurs when radiation from a high power, infrared laser is directed to a sufficiently short focal point to produce the irradiance required for producing a plasma or laser-supported combustion wave, with the assistance of external plasma initiation apparatus such as an electrode discharge. The laser beam is directed through a cylindrical or conical chamber to the electrode discharge means. The chamber allows a controlled flow of gas to be introduced into the chamber, flowing in the direction of the laser beam to exhaust at the end of the chamber. A plasma is ignited, using the plasma initiation device and is prevented from propagating up the laser beam by the opposing flow of gas. The position of the plasma along the laser beam axis and the plasma temperature are controlled by the velocity of the gas flow. As the gas velocity is increased, the plasma is forced to retreat into higher intensity regions of the converging laser beam, where it absorbs more energy from the beam thereby reaching higher temperatures.