Patent · US Expired

Tangential fan with cutoff assembly and vibration control for electric discharge laser

US6144686A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
7References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 1999
Grant dateNov 7, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 21, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S3/225
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A tangential fan and cutoff assembly for recirculating a lasing gas mixture has blade members, which vary in circumferential position stepwise from end to end, and/or a tapered anode assembly. The number of blade members can be constant or variable between ends. The circumferential position of blade members can shift monotonically or reversibly between ends. Blade members are stiffened by optimally selecting the number and placement of hub members to control the natural vibration frequency of the fan. Methods of forming tangential fans include casting, and machining from a solid block. Monolithic structures can be joined, typically by electron-beam welding. Casting, welding, and machining processes introduce no additional contaminants. Tangential fans produced have mechanical rigidity, accurate tolerances, and low contaminant concentrations. Blade members can be formed into air foil shapes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.