Patent ID: 6570895
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: F28D,F28F,H01S,Y02E

Abstract:
A laser system, comprising:a thermal control system for producing passive cooling of a laser temperature-sensitive component that produces heat, said temperature-sensitive component having a desired operating temperature range, said thermal control system comprising; a heat sink assembly in thermal communication with said temperature-sensitive component to remove heat therefrom, said heat sink assembly containing a substantially solid form of a phase change material, wherein said removed heat causes said phase change material to change from said solid form to a liquid form at a predetermined phase change temperature; and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with said heat sink assembly to remove heat from said heat sink assembly so as to maintain said phase change material at about said phase change temperature, said heat exchanger transferring heat from said heat sink assembly to a working fluid in thermal communication with said heat exchanger to thereby maintain said temperature-sensitive component within said desired operating temperature range and thereby enhance the performance of said temperature-sensitive component.