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:
Aug. 15, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 03, 1998
Mathew Mahmoudi, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Uniphase Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A multi-mode/universal laser power controller is disclosed for use in an overall laser system. An associated method is also disclosed. The controller may drive one of at least two different laser tubes which require different particular sets of drive voltages. The power controller includes a first arrangement for selecting first and second modes of operation of the power controller depending on and corresponding to which specific one of the two different laser tubes the power controller is intended to drive and a power conversion arrangement which is designed to operate from one of at least two different AC input voltages and which is responsive to the particular mode selected by the first arrangement such that the power conversion arrangement uses a selected one of the input voltages to produce the particular set of drive voltages to be used to drive the specifically selected laser tube. In one feature, a method is disclosed for starting the gas ion laser tube. In another feature, an arrangement is disclosed for providing an anode current control signal by measuring a sense voltage in the anode lead such that the sensed voltage is not subjected to filament current which circulates in the cathode lead. In yet another feature, the power controller includes a primary ground and switching means electrically connected to the primary ground for use in regulating the flow of anode current.