US 5,253,261 A · Gas laser solenoid and cooling apparatus

Abstract

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.

Claims8

Dependent claims

In a laser having a laser tube and a concentrically mounted solenoid capable of withstanding elevated temperatures, said solenoid comprising;

(a) a wire receiving bobbin having a hollow, cylindrical core and a pair of opposed parallel flanges formed integral with the core and located at opposite ends thereof and made of a rigid heat conductive material;
(b) an inner high temperature resistant, electrically and thermally insulating film wrapped around said core of said bobbin;
(c) high temperature resistant electrically and thermally insulating means mounted adjacent to each flange and between said pair of flanges of said bobbin;
(d) a length of wire coiled circumferentially around said bobbin core upon said insulating film and having a beginning lead and an ending lead;
and
(e) an outer high temperature resistant, electrically and thermally insulating film wrapped around said wound length of wire.

3 more elements

A laser having a laser tube and a solenoid in combination with laser air cooling means and mounted within a laser housing, comprising:

(a) a laser tube;
(b) a solenoid mounted concentrically around said laser tube, comprising:
(i) a wire receiving bobbin having a hollow, cylindrical core and a pair of opposed parallel flanges formed integral with the core and located at opposite ends thereof and made of a rigid heat conductive material;
(ii) an inner high temperature resistant, electrically and thermally insulating film wrapped around said core of said bobbin;
(iii) high temperature resistant electrically and thermally insulating means mounted adjacent to each flange and between said pair of flanges of said bobbin;
(iv) a length of wire coiled circumferentially around said bobbin core upon said insulating film and having a beginning lead and an ending lead;
(v) an outer high temperature resistant, electrically and thermally insulating film wrapped around said wound length of wire;
(vi) the inner diameter of said hollow cylindrical core of said bobbin configured to be substantially larger than a laser tube to be passed therethrough so as to create an air channel between said laser tube and said bobbin core;
(c) laser air cooling means, comprising:
(i) input ventilator means mounted in fluid communication with and operative to drive cooling air into said laser housing;
(ii) air duct means configured to allow air to pass therethrough and connected at a proximal end to said air channel;
and
(iii) suction fan means mounted on a distal end of said air duct means and operative to draw cooling air through said solenoid.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gas laser solenoid and cooling apparatus

Life of this patent

Gas laser solenoid and cooling apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8