Thermal marking systems and methods of control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9410768-B2
Application number	US-201514746171-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2015
Priority date	Oct 13, 2010
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

A target marking system includes a light source emitting a thermal beam and an optics assembly directing the thermal beam to impact a target, the target directing radiation to the optics assembly in response to the impact. The target marking system further includes a detector, and an optics assembly optically connected to the detector.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A target marking system, comprising: a light source generating a beam of thermal radiation; and a cooling element thermally connected to the light source wherein the cooling element comprises phase change material thermally connected to the light source.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal conductor coupled between the light source and the phase change material.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a passive cooling element thermally connected to the thermal conductor.

4. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a passive cooling element thermally connected to the phase change material.

5. The system of claim 4 , further including a second thermal conductor thermally connecting the passive cooling element to the phase change material.

6. The system of claim 2 , further comprising an active cooling element thermally connected to the thermal conductor.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the thermal conductor comprises a heat pipe.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power source operably connected to the light source and coupled to a removable component of the cooling element.

Assignees

• Lasermax Inc
• Lasermax Inc

Inventors

• Houde-Walter Susan
• Houde-Walter William
• Balonek Daniel J
• Olmsted Brian L
• Allen Michael W

Classifications

• H04N23/23

  from thermal infrared radiation · CPC title

• F41G1/36 Primary

  with infrared light source · CPC title

• G01J5/061

  by controlling the temperature of the apparatus or parts thereof, e.g. using cooling means or thermostats · CPC title

• G01J5/0896

  using a light source, e.g. for illuminating a surface · CPC title

• F41G1/35

  for illuminating the target {, e.g. flash lights} · CPC title