Automated AC filament universal laser power controller in a gas ion laser system and method

In a power supply for use in a laser system including a gas ion laser tube which requires a filament voltage provided by an output section of the power supply, the value of which filament voltage determines a known lifetime of useful operation associated with the laser tube when the filament voltage is provided as an AC voltage, said power supply to receive power using one of at least two possible AC utility power sources having different intended fixed magnitudes, but each of which varies from the intended fixed magnitudes, the improvement comprising:

• a power control arrangement which automatically generates a regulated AC filament voltage from either of the two possible utility sources to supply said filament voltage using the output section and which filament voltage is provided to the laser tube in a way which manages an operating lifetime of the laser tube in view of said known lifetime when the laser tube is operated using AC filament voltage produced from either of the utility sources.

A power supply for use in a laser system including a gas ion laser tube which requires a filament voltage provided at filament terminals that should not exceed a maximum AC filament voltage specified for the laser tube, said power supply to receive AC power using one of at least first and second AC utility power sources having different first and second intended fixed magnitudes and which may vary in amplitude from the intended fixed magnitudes over corresponding first and second source voltage ranges, respectively, said power supply comprising:

• an output section connected to an available one of the first and second AC utility power sources and further connected to the filament terminals of the laser tube;
• and
• a power control arrangement which automatically controls the output section to generate an auto ranging AC filament voltage at the filament terminals from the available one of the first and second utility sources such that, for each of the first and second AC utility power sources, the auto ranging AC filament voltage is limited to a regulated range extending below, but not exceeding the maximum AC filament voltage when the first and second voltages are within the first and second source voltage ranges, irrespective of which of the first or second AC utility power sources to which the power supply is connected.

A method for operating a power supply for use in a laser system including a gas ion laser tube which requires a filament voltage provided at filament terminals that should not exceed a maximum AC filament voltage specified for the laser tube, said power supply to receive AC power using one of at least first and second AC utility power sources having different first and second intended fixed magnitudes and which may vary in amplitude from the intended fixed magnitudes over corresponding first and second source voltage ranges, respectively, said method comprising the steps of:

• connecting an output section to an available one of the first and second AC utility power sources and further connecting the output section to the filament terminals of the laser tube;
• and
• automatically controlling the output section to generate an auto ranging AC filament voltage at the filament terminals from the available one of the first and second utility sources such that, for each of the first and second AC utility power sources, the auto ranging AC filament voltage is limited to a regulated range extending below, but not exceeding the maximum AC filament voltage when the first and second voltages are within the first and second source voltage ranges, irrespective of which of the first or second AC utility power sources to which the power supply is connected.

A multi-mode power controller for use in a laser system which may include one of at least two different laser tubes to be driven by different particular sets of drive voltages using an input utility voltage, said power controller comprising:

• a first arrangement for selecting between first and second modes of operation of the power controller depending on and corresponding to which specific one of said two different laser tubes the power controller is intended to drive;
• and
• a power conversion arrangement which is responsive to the particular mode selected by said first arrangement such that the power conversion arrangement uses the input utility voltage to produce the particular set of drive voltages to be used to drive the specifically selected laser tube.

In a power controller for use in a laser system which may include one of at least two different laser tubes to be operated by different particular sets of drive voltages using an input utility voltage, a method comprising the steps of:

• configuring a first arrangement forming a portion of the power controller for selecting between first and second modes of operation of the power controller depending on and corresponding to which specific one of said two different laser tubes the power controller is intended to operate;
• and
• responsive to the selection between the first and second modes of operation, driving a power conversion arrangement such that the power conversion arrangement uses the input utility voltage to produce the particular set of drive voltages to be used to operate the specifically selected laser tube.