Abstract: A cart for the changeout of modules such as a laser chamber module. In one example, the cart includes at least two platforms that are movable with respect to a frame of the cart and that are coupled together such that an upward force for a vertical movement with respect to the frame of one platform provides a vertical movement with respect to the frame of a second platform at an elevated position. The platforms are coupled to each other with chains, wire, or linkage structures. With some carts, the platforms are removable from the rest of the frame. Also with some carts, an upper platform is collapsible on a lower platform. Some carts include two wheel bases that are foldable with respect to one another so as to allow the cart to traverse a surface obstacle by folding one wheel base down over the surface obstacle and transferring a load to that wheel base from another wheel base located on the opposite side of the surface obstacle.

Abstract: A laser chamber with a circuitous gas return path dissipates shock waves. In one embodiment, the laser chamber includes a heat exchanger with a large surface area that defines an aerodynamic passage through which gas circulates in the laser chamber. The passage through which the gas circulates directs shock waves away from the discharge region so that the shock waves may dissipate elsewhere in the laser chamber. In addition, the large surface area of the heat exchanger efficiently cools the thermally energetic gas within the laser chamber. In another embodiment, ancillary chambers that are fluidically coupled to the main laser chamber are provided to permit shock waves to be directed away from the discharge area and to be dissipated within the ancillary chambers. Openings to the ancillary chambers are positioned such that shock waves generated by the electrode structure of the laser chamber may propagate directly into the ancillary chamber, where the shock waves then dissipate.

Abstract: An upright member for supporting partitioning panels having means for retaining a panel, and means for pivotally connecting the member to and adjacent member.