Underwater laser-guided discharge
US8941967B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
2References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 4, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/3511
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods for producing a laser-guided underwater electrical discharge are provided. One or more electrodes defining a desired electrical discharge path are situated in a body of water and are attached to an external electrical power supply. A high-powered, intense laser beam is fired into the water. The laser beam forms an optical filament in the water, which in turn forms an ionized channel having a much greater conductivity than the surrounding water. An external power supply drives an electrical discharge along the path of the ionized channel due to its greater conductivity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.