RF Gas Laser Sealed Housing Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio frequency-excited gas lasers require complex and costly sealed feedthroughs for power supply and cooling, making them prone to operational defects due to seal failures.

Innovation Solution

The electrodes form an integral part of a sealed housing, eliminating the need for external feedthroughs by using electrically conductive and insulated housing portions, with ceramic or similar insulating elements, and external cooling ducts to maintain insulation and efficient cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealed feedthroughs are used for power supply and cooling, then electrical insulation and cooling are achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoidfeedthrough structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the housing structure with the electrode support function by making the housing itself electrically conductive and insulating from the external environment, eliminating the need for separate feedthrough components. The housing portions (5, 7) are directly coupled to form a sealed chamber while providing both mechanical support and electrical insulation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing portions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical enclosure, electrical insulation, structural support for electrodes, and sealed containment for the gas mixture. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated feedthrough components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If sealed feedthroughs are used for power supply and cooling, then electrical insulation and cooling are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the housing structure with the electrode support function by making the housing itself electrically conductive and insulating from the external environment, eliminating the need for separate feedthrough components. The housing portions (5, 7) are directly coupled to form a sealed chamber while providing both mechanical support and electrical insulation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing portions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical enclosure, electrical insulation, structural support for electrodes, and sealed containment for the gas mixture. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated feedthrough components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If external housing is used to contain gas and house electrodes, then insulation is provided, but feedthrough insulators are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation reliabilityVSAvoidfeedthrough components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the housing structure with the electrode support function by making the housing itself electrically conductive and insulating from the external environment, eliminating the need for separate feedthrough components. The housing portions (5, 7) are directly coupled to form a sealed chamber while providing both mechanical support and electrical insulation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing portions themselves provide the insulation function through their material properties and configuration, rather than requiring separate insulating components. The conductive housing portions are arranged and coupled in a way that inherently provides electrical insulation where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration simplifies the production and reliability of the laser source by eliminating the need for feedthroughs and providing effective insulation and cooling without external power supply and coolant ducts, reducing the risk of operational faults.

Implementation Method 1

a radio frequency generator (30) for producing a glow discharge in the gas mixture contained in the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGlow discharge: Electric Glow Discharge

Implementation Method 2

for generating a laser beam in a gas mixture (typically based on CO2) contained in a housing (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser radiation generation: Laser

Implementation Method 3

two cooling ducts (21, 43) arranged outside the cavity (15, 35) containing the gas mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

with circulation of a coolant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2160807B1Radio frequency excited gas laser source

Publication Date: 2020.02.26 EL EN SPA

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

There is described a gas laser comprising a pair of substantially mutually parallel and opposed electrodes (17, 37), between which a volume is defined containing a gas in which said electrodes generate a discharge. At opposed ends of the electrodes, in said volume, mirrors (65) are arranged to define a resonant cavity. The electrodes form an integral part of two portions (5, 7) of a sealed housing (1), containing the gas and in which the mirrors and the electrodes are housed. The two portions (5, 7) forming the housing are electrically