Gerald Kern

US Patent:

6737605, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/349353

Inventors:

Gerald L. Kern - Wadena MN 56482

International Classification:

B23K 2614

US Classification:

21912167, 21912168, 21912169

Abstract:

An apparatus for trimming at least one overhanging layer from a workpiece, the apparatus comprising a laser configured to produce a cutting beam capable of cutting the overhanging layer, a cutting head comprising an upper element and a lower element, wherein the cutting head is configured to receive the cutting beam and split the cutting beam into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion exits the cutting head through a upper element and the second portion exits the cutting head through a lower element, and a sensor configured to detect and control movement of the cutting head relative to the workpiece.

US Patent:

20210006031, Jan 7, 2021

Filed:

Sep 18, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/025439

Inventors:

- Wadena MN, US
Gerald L. Kern - Wadena MN, US
Jacob D. Colby - Wadena MN, US
Aaron M. Kern - Wadena MN, US
Tyler P. Schmidt - Wadena MN, US
Keith L. Weiher - Wadena MN, US

Assignee:

KERN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Wadena MN

International Classification:

H01S 3/08
H01S 3/03
H01S 3/034
H01S 3/097
H01S 3/07
H01S 3/081

Abstract:

A folded slab waveguide laser having a hybrid waveguide-unstable resonator cavity. Multiple slab waveguides of thickness ‘t’ supporting vertical waveguide modes are physically arranged above one another in a stack and optically arranged in series through one or more cavity folding assemblies with curved mirrors. A gain medium such as a gas is arranged in each slab. Each cavity folding assembly is designed to redirect the radiation beam emitted from one slab waveguide into the next waveguide and also at the same time to provide a focus for the radiation beam so that a selected vertical waveguide mode (or modes) is (or are) coupled efficiently into the next slab.

US Patent:

20190312403, Oct 10, 2019

Filed:

Mar 25, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/364004

Inventors:

- Wadena MN, US
Gerald L. Kern - Wadena MN, US
Jacob D. Colby - Wadena MN, US
Aaron M. Kern - Wadena MN, US
Tyler P. Schmidt - Wadena MN, US
Keith L. Weiher - Wadena MN, US

Assignee:

KERN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Wadena MN

International Classification:

H01S 3/08
H01S 3/097
H01S 3/03
H01S 3/034

Abstract:

A folded slab waveguide laser having a hybrid waveguide-unstable resonator cavity. Multiple slab waveguides of thickness ‘t’ supporting vertical waveguide modes are physically arranged above one another in a stack and optically arranged in series through one or more cavity folding assemblies with curved mirrors. A gain medium such as a gas is arranged in each slab. Each cavity folding assembly is designed to redirect the radiation beam emitted from one slab waveguide into the next waveguide and also at the same time to provide a focus for the radiation beam so that a selected vertical waveguide mode (or modes) is (or are) coupled efficiently into the next slab.

US Patent:

20150188282, Jul 2, 2015

Filed:

Dec 10, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/566494

Inventors:

Gerald L. KERN - Wadena MN, US

International Classification:

H01S 3/097

Abstract:

A system transfers radio frequency energy from a radio frequency power amplifier (RFPA) to a slab laser. The system includes a connector, a printed circuit board, a conductive plate and a first inductor element. The connector is configured to receive a radio frequency power from the RFPA. The printed circuit board has at least one conductive pad etched on the printed circuit board. One of the conductive pads is electrically connected to the connector. The conductive plate is attached beneath the printed circuit board. The first inductor is electrically connected to the connector and electrically connected to a first electrode or top slab of the slab laser.

US Patent:

20140348198, Nov 27, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/213625

Inventors:

Gerald L. Kern - Wadena MN, US
Darryl Nelson - Wadena MN, US
Nathan Monty - Shrewsbury MA, US

International Classification:

H01S 3/038
H01S 3/097
H01S 3/03

US Classification:

372 55

Abstract:

A carbon dioxide slab laser includes a top electrode and a bottom electrode. The top electrode has a socket formed at a geometric center and receives a contact ring in the recess of the socket. The contact ring includes radially inward extending biasing fingers. The biasing fingers contact a radio frequency (RF) energy feed through plug and engages the outer wall of the plug and retains it in the socket. The fingers disperse RF energy radially outward to the laser and provide for more even energy distribution that allows for more power. Grounding is also improved through grounding bars spaced apart longitudinally along the length of the bottom electrode. The transverse extending bars include contact elements having spaced apart fingers along the length of the contact element and providing multiple ground points to prevent focusing at a single grounding point.