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:
Jan. 05, 1993
Filed:
Jul. 22, 1991
Todd J Rockstroh, Maineville, OH (US);
James G Kelley, California, KY (US);
Ralph M Somers, Cincinnati, OH (US);
John N Minnich, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Seetha R Mannava, Cincinnati, OH (US);
General Electric Company, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
A laser apparatus is disclosed which is capable of protecting the laser slab or rod crystal within the laser from damage due to overheating when the laser malfunctions in a manner such that laser output ceases while optical pumping of the laser crystal continues. The laser apparatus includes a laser crystal situated within a laser cavity. The apparatus also includes an excitation lamp for pumping the crystal to generate a laser beam to project along a desired main path. A first sensor senses the cessation of the projection of the laser beam along the desired main path and a second sensor senses the continuing excitation of the excitation lamp. The apparatus further includes a extinguishing circuit for extinguishing the excitation lamp a predetermined amount of time after the cessation of the laser beam such that damage to the laser apparatus due to overheating is avoided.