Patent ID: 6310901
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
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 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, the improvement comprising:a power control arrangement which automatically controls the output section to generate an auto ranging AC filament voltage from either of the first and second utility sources to be supplied as said filament voltage 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.