公开(公告)号：US4953176A

公开(公告)日：1990-08-28

申请号：US319985

申请日：1989-03-07

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand

IPC: H01S3/041 ,  H01S3/13

CPC classification number: H01S3/041 ,  H01S3/03 ,  H01S3/0401 ,  H01S3/0404 ,  H01S3/139

Abstract: Misalignment of a laser beam due to bending of a plasma tube for an internal resonator ion laser, or another structural element supporting beam guiding optics, is controlled by varying the distribution of heat flow out of the plasma tube or structural element to compensate for any misalignment in response to position of the laser beam. A detector is mounted along the optical path of the laser beam, and generates a position signal indicating drift of the laser beam from a preferred position. A cooling system, thermally connected to the structural material of the plasma tube or the structural element and connected to the detector, conducts heat out of the structural material in a controlled distribution in response to the position signal, so that misalignment of the optics due to thermal bending is minimized.

Abstract translation: 通过改变等离子体管或结构元件的热流的分布来控制由于用于内部谐振器离子激光器的等离子体管的弯曲而导致的激光束的偏移或者支撑光束引导光学器件的另一结构元件，以补偿任何未对准 响应激光束的位置。 沿着激光束的光路安装检测器，并产生指示激光束从优选位置漂移的位置信号。 热连接到等离子体管或结构元件并连接到检测器的结构材料的冷却系统响应于位置信号以受控的分布将热量传导出结构材料，使得由于 热弯曲最小化。

公开(公告)号：US5300750A

公开(公告)日：1994-04-05

申请号：US774243

申请日：1991-10-10

Applicant: Philip S. Carter, Jr. ,  Michael Hodges ,  John P. Ekstrand ,  Andrew Tomlinson

Inventor： Philip S. Carter, Jr. ,  Michael Hodges ,  John P. Ekstrand ,  Andrew Tomlinson

IPC: A61B18/00 ,  A61F7/00 ,  A61N1/40 ,  H05B6/02 ,  H05B6/10

CPC classification number: A61B18/00 ,  A61N1/406 ,  H05B6/105 ,  A61F2007/009

Abstract: A heater employs a ferromagnetic or like material heated by a varying magnetic field to heat the ferromagnetic material wherein the ferromagnetic material has a large cross-section comprised of many members of small cross-section insulated from one another and wherein for medical applications each member may be surrounded by a heat conductive electrically conductive coating.

Abstract translation: 加热器采用由变化的磁场加热的铁磁材料或类似材料来加热铁磁材料，其中铁磁材料具有由彼此绝缘的许多小横截面的部件组成的大横截面，并且其中对于医疗应用，每个构件可以 被导热导电涂层包围。

公开(公告)号：US4947102A

公开(公告)日：1990-08-07

申请号：US269194

申请日：1988-11-08

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand ,  Kevin Holsinger

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand ,  Kevin Holsinger

IPC: G05F1/648

CPC classification number: G05F1/648

Abstract: A switched resistor regulator is constructed whose duty cycle response is nonlinear with small changes in input control voltage. Specifically, the response of a pulse-width modulator is made to increase less than linearly with small changes in input control voltage. In a preferred embodiment, the pulse-width modulator is altered by comparing the input control voltage with a nonlinear reference signal, rather than the substantially linear reference signal which is used in prior art pulse-width modulators. Specifically, the nonlinear reference signal may be generated by a nonlinear reference voltage circuit, such as an RC charging circuit, or such as a D/A converter controlled by a clocked programmable microprocessor.

Abstract translation: 构造开关电阻调节器，其占空比响应为非线性，输入控制电压变化小。 具体地说，使脉冲宽度调制器的响应随着输入控制电压的小变化而增加小于线性。 在优选实施例中，通过将输入控制电压与非线性参考信号进行比较来改变脉冲宽度调制器，而不是在现有技术的脉冲宽度调制器中使用的基本上线性的参考信号。 具体地，非线性参考信号可以由诸如RC充电电路之类的非线性参考电压电路产生，或诸如由时钟可编程微处理器控制的D / A转换器。

公开(公告)号：US5055743A

公开(公告)日：1991-10-08

申请号：US346469

申请日：1989-05-02

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand

IPC: H01J1/20 ,  H01J3/02 ,  H01S3/038 ,  H05B6/02 ,  H05H1/46

CPC classification number: H05H1/46 ,  H01J1/20 ,  H01J3/025 ,  H01S3/038 ,  H05B6/02 ,  H01S3/0382

Abstract: An improvement for a vacuum tube or a plasma tube comprises a cathode loop formed of a material suitable for induction heating. A support structure mounted inside the vacuum tube supports the cathode loop at a cathode position. A power supply mounted outside the vacuum tube includes an induction coil wrapped around the tube near the cathode position and generates an alternating electromagnetic field at the cathode position to induce heat in the cathode loop so that electrons are released into the vacuum tube. Finally, a DC bias is applied to the cathode through the support structure. The improved plasma tube with an induction heated cathode is particularly useful for an ion laser gain medium.

Abstract translation: 真空管或等离子体管的改进包括由适于感应加热的材料形成的阴极环。 安装在真空管内的支撑结构在阴极位置支撑阴极环。 安装在真空管外部的电源包括在阴极位置附近围绕管缠绕的感应线圈，并在阴极位置产生交变电磁场，以在阴极环中引起热量，使得电子释放到真空管中。 最后，通过支撑结构将直流偏压施加到阴极。 具有感应加热阴极的改进的等离子体管对离子激光增益介质特别有用。

公开(公告)号：US5048032A

公开(公告)日：1991-09-10

申请号：US554785

申请日：1990-07-18

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand ,  John P. Goldsborough ,  David L. Wright

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand ,  John P. Goldsborough ,  David L. Wright

IPC: H01S3/032 ,  H01S3/0975

CPC classification number: H01S3/0975 ,  H01S3/0326

Abstract: A laser structure utilizes air cooling and RF induction excitation of a gaseous active medium. A means for exciting the active medium is provided including a switching power supply utilizing pulse width modulated switching to provide an RF energy output. The RF output is coupled to a tank circuit which comprises a capacitor, an inductor, and at least one coupling structure. A means for generating a magnetic field-along the axial length of the laser bore is provided and can comprise either permanent magnets or a DC source coupled to the coupling structure. The laser further includes means for dissipating heat from the laser bore by utilizing the coupling structures as convective cooling fins with forced air circulated thereabout.

Abstract translation: 激光结构利用气态活性介质的空气冷却和RF感应激发。 提供一种用于激励有源介质的装置，包括利用脉宽调制开关的开关电源，以提供RF能量输出。 RF输出耦合到包括电容器，电感器和至少一个耦合结构的振荡电路。 提供了沿着激光孔的轴向长度产生磁场的装置，并且可以包括永磁体或耦合到耦合结构的DC源。 激光器还包括通过利用耦合结构作为对流散热片从激光孔中散热的装置，其中强制空气在其周围循环。

公开(公告)号：US4982078A

公开(公告)日：1991-01-01

申请号：US452723

申请日：1989-12-19

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand

IPC: G01D5/26

CPC classification number: G01D5/26

Abstract: A system for detecting position of a light beam propagating along a beam path utilizes a single variable gain preamplifier in a time shared mode for each of the outputs of a four quadrant position sensors. A detector mounted in the beam path and having a reference point, generates a plurality of signals indicating deviation from the reference in plural directions. A multiplexer is connected to the detector, and combines the plural signals into a time multiplexed output. A variable gain preamplifier normalizes the signals in the time multiplexed output to generate the normalized output. The normalized output is then supplied to a logic circuit for processing the normalized output to generate a position signal indicating the position of the light beam.

Abstract translation: 用于检测沿着光束路径传播的光束的位置的系统对于四象限位置传感器的每个输出的时间共享模式使用单个可变增益前置放大器。 安装在光束路径中并具有参考点的检测器产生指示在多个方向上偏离参考的多个信号。 多路复用器连接到检测器，并将多个信号组合成时间复用输出。 可变增益前置放大器对时间复用输出中的信号进行归一化，以生成归一化输出。 然后将归一化输出提供给用于处理归一化输出的逻辑电路，以产生指示光束位置的位置信号。

公开(公告)号：US4668906A

公开(公告)日：1987-05-26

申请号：US754036

申请日：1985-07-11

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand

IPC: G05F1/648 ,  H02M7/219 ,  H05B41/392 ,  G05F1/656

CPC classification number: H02M7/219 ,  G05F1/648 ,  H05B41/392

Abstract: A switched resistor regulator controls current flow through a resistor electrically connected to a load by varying the duty cycle of switching the resistor into electrical connection between of a power source and the load to regulate the power to the load. Both current and voltage regulation can be achieved. In a series switched configuration, current flow through a resistor in series with the load is controlled with current flow being maintained by a capacitor is parallel with the load when the resistor is switched off. In a shunt switched configuration current flow through a resistor in parallel with the load is controlled, with a capacitor parallel to the load also being used. In a hybrid configuration a shunt switched resistor is used while the current level to the load is changed by selecting one of several series resistors; a capacitor is also provided parallel to the load. In a switched resistor passbank configuration a series switched resistor is used with a capacitor connected in series with the load and parallel to the switched series resistor.

Abstract translation: 开关电阻调节器通过改变将电阻器切换到电源和负载之间的电气连接的占空比来控制电连接到负载的电阻器的电流，以调节负载的功率。 可以实现电流和电压调节。 在串联开关配置中，通过与负载串联的电阻器的电流流动由电容器保持的电流与电阻关断时的负载平行地控制。 在分流开关配置中，流过与负载并联的电阻器的电流被控制，并且还使用与负载平行的电容器。 在混合配置中，使用并联开关电阻，同时通过选择几个串联电阻之一来改变负载的电流电平; 电容器也平行于负载提供。 在开关电阻器通路组态中，使用串联开关电阻器，其中电容器与负载串联连接并且与开关串联电阻器并联。

公开(公告)号：US5047609A

公开(公告)日：1991-09-10

申请号：US461359

申请日：1990-01-05

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand

IPC: B23K26/04 ,  G01B5/252

CPC classification number: G01B5/252 ,  B23K26/04

Abstract: A system for displaying information concerning position of a light beam comprises a detector generating a first signal indicating position of the beam along a first dimension, and a second signal indicating position of the beam along a second dimension. A crossed dot bar graph display is coupled to receive the first and second signals. The crossed dot bar graph display includes a first linear array of indicators (LEDs) for indicating position along the first dimension, and a second linear array of indicators for indicating position along the second dimension. The first and second linear arrays intersect at a center indicator. One dot is displayed in the first array showing deviation in the first dimension. One dot is displayed in the second display showing deviation in the second dimension. When both dimensions are aligned to the center indicator, only the center indicator is activated. The system can be expanded to any number of dimensions.

Abstract translation: 用于显示关于光束位置的信息的系统包括检测器，其产生指示沿着第一维度的光束位置的第一信号，以及指示所述光束沿着第二维度的位置的第二信号。 交叉点条形图显示器被耦合以接收第一和第二信号。 交叉点条形图显示包括用于指示沿着第一维度的位置的指示器（LED）的第一线性阵列和用于指示沿着第二维度的位置的指示器的第二线性阵列。 第一和第二线性阵列在中心指示器相交。 在第一个阵列中显示一个点，显示第一个维度的偏差。 在第二显示器中显示一个点，显示第二维度的偏差。 当两个尺寸与中心指示器对齐时，只有中心指示灯被激活。 该系统可以扩展到任意数量的维度。

公开(公告)号：US4988942A

公开(公告)日：1991-01-29

申请号：US269238

申请日：1988-11-08

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand

IPC: H02M3/156

CPC classification number: H02M3/156 ,  H02M2001/0025

Abstract: A DC control voltage being supplied to a pulse-width modulator in a switched resistor regulator control feedback loop is modified by addition of an AC offset voltage dither signal; the sum of the DC and AC voltages suffices to "turn on" the pulse-width modulator in some, but not all, of the periods of the output pulse train of the pulse-width modulator. The output pulse train controls the switch in a switched resistor regulator to turn on for a minimum period of time in some, but not all, of the periods of switching the resistor into and out of electrical connection. Thus the switched resistor regulator obtains an average duty cycle which is substantially less than the duty cycle which could be obtained with the minimum pulse width. In an alternate embodiment, a switched resistor regulator is controlled by a plurality of switches (e.g. a pair of switches whose periods of switching the resistor into and out of electrical connection are phase offset) whose minimum "turn on" voltage is staggered with respect to each other. Thus the minimum change in pulse width of the output pulse train of the pulse-width modulator is reduced, and the effective discontinuity in changes of pulse width output due to changes of the control voltage is reduced in slope.

Abstract translation: 在开关电阻调节器控制反馈环路中提供给脉冲宽度调制器的DC控制电压通过添加AC失调电压抖动信号而被修改; 直流和交流电压之和足以在脉冲宽度调制器的输出脉冲序列的某些周期中的某些（但不是全部）周期内“接通”脉宽调制器。 输出脉冲串控制开关电阻调节器中的开关在将电阻器切换到和断开电连接的一些时间段内（但不是全部）打开一段最短时间。 因此，开关电阻调节器获得的平均占空比基本上小于可以用最小脉冲宽度获得的占空比。 在替代实施例中，开关电阻调节器由多个开关（例如，一对开关，其电阻器进入和断开电连接的周期是相位偏移）控制，其最小“导通”电压相对于 彼此。 因此，脉冲宽度调制器的输出脉冲串的脉冲宽度的最小变化减小，并且由于控制电压的变化而导致的脉冲宽度输出的变化的有效不连续性在斜率上减小。

公开(公告)号：US4719404A

公开(公告)日：1988-01-12

申请号：US945924

申请日：1986-12-23

Applicant: John P. Ekstrand

Inventor： John P. Ekstrand

IPC: G05F1/648 ,  H02M7/219 ,  H05B41/392 ,  G05F1/656

CPC classification number: H02M7/219 ,  G05F1/648 ,  H05B41/392

Abstract: A switched resistor regulator controls current flow through a resistor electrically connected to a load by varying the duty cycle of switching the resistor into electrical connection between of a power source and the load to regulate the power to the load. Both current and voltage regulation can be achieved. In a series switched configuration, current flow through a resistor in series with the load is controlled with current flow being maintained by a capacitor is parallel with the load when the resistor is switched off. In a shunt switched configuration current flow through a resistor in parallel with the load is controlled, with a capacitor parallel to the load also being used. In a hybrid configuration a shunt switched resistor is used while the current level to the load is changed by selecting one of several series resistors; a capacitor is also provided parallel to the load. In a switched resistor passbank configuration a series switched resistor is used with a capactitor connected in series with the load and parallel to the switched series resistor. A linear dissipative regulator is also connected between the supply and the load in parallel with the series resistance of the switched resistor regulator to reduce the minimum voltage drop to the load when the switching duty cycle reaches 100% for the series switched configurations or 0% for the shunt switched configurations.

Abstract translation: 开关电阻调节器通过改变将电阻器切换到电源和负载之间的电气连接的占空比来控制电连接到负载的电阻器的电流，以调节负载的功率。 可以实现电流和电压调节。 在串联开关配置中，通过与负载串联的电阻器的电流流动由电容器保持的电流与电阻关断时的负载平行地控制。 在分流开关配置中，流过与负载并联的电阻器的电流被控制，并且还使用与负载平行的电容器。 在混合配置中，使用并联开关电阻，同时通过选择几个串联电阻之一来改变负载的电流电平; 电容器也平行于负载提供。 在开关电阻器通路组态中，使用串联开关电阻器，其中与负载串联连接的并联到开关式串联电阻器的电容器。 线路耗散调节器也连接在电源和负载之间，与开关电阻调节器的串联电阻并联，以减小串联开关配置的开关占空比达到100％时对负载的最小电压降，或者0％ 分流开关配置。