US3846798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated window, antenna, and waveguide with plasma alleviation
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1968-08-12
•
Granted: 1974-11-05
•
Expires: 1988-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for cooling an electromagnetic wave permeable antenna window, and for alleviating a boundary layer of dense plasma, particularly for use in high performance reentry space vehicles having a sharp or conical configuration. The window, in a shock mounting, is of multilayered construction, having alternating shock absorbent bonded layers with channels or apertures spaced throughout. Gas, such as silicon tetrafluoride or sulfur hexafluoride, flows through an associated waveguide and is introduced, through the channels or apertures, into and through the window. As the coolant gas passes through the window, the window is cooled and does not ablate. Shear forces are used to maintain the window/ablator mold line. The gas then flows into the boundary layer of dense plasma, reducing the electron concentration of the plasma, and increasing the capability of transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves.
Inventors
- 👤 J Carl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/42; H01Q1/422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
An electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving structure, comprising: a. an antenna; b. an electromagnetic wave permeable window which includes: (1). a plurality of alternating bonded layers; and (2). a plurality of hollow channels, essentially parallel to each other and extending throughout said window. c. means for supporting said electromagnetic wave permeable window within said antenna; and d. a waveguide affixed to said antenna.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving structure, comprising: a. an antenna; b. an electromagnetic wave permeable window which includes: (1). a plurality of alternating bonded layers; and (2). a plurality of hollow channels, essentially parallel to each other and extending throughout said window. c. means for supporting said electromagnetic wave permeable window within said antenna; and d. a waveguide affixed to said antenna.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said alternating bonded layers are of fused silica and of less dense silica which has been sintered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said alternating bonded layers are of pyrolytic boron nitride and of hot pressed boron nitride.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for cooling an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving structure, and for alleviating a boundary layer of dense plasma, in a high performance reentry space vehicle, comprising: a. an antenna; b. an electromagnetic wave permeable window, having a plurality of alternating bonded layers of fused silica and of less dense silica which has been sintered, and having a plurality of hollow channels essentially parallel to each other and extending throughout said window; c. means for supporting said electromagnetic wave permeable window within said antenna; d. a waveguide affixed to said antenna; e. a coolant fluid; and f. means for conducting said coolant fluid to said hollow channels of said electromagnetic wave permeable window.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for cooling an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving structure, and for alleviating a boundary layer of dense plasma, in a high performance reentry space vehicle, comprising: a. an antenna; b. an electromagnetic wave permeable window, having a plurality of alternating bonded layers of fused silica and of less dense silica which has been sintered, and having a plurality of hollow channels essentially parallel to each other and extending throughout said window; c. means for supporting said electromagnetic wave permeable window within said antenna; d. a waveguide affixed to said antenna; e. a coolant fluid; and f. means for conducting said coolant fluid to said hollow channels of said electromagnetic wave permeable window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the coolant fluid is silicon tetrafluoride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the coolant fluid is sulfur hexafluoride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means for conducting said coolant fluid to said hollow channels of said electromagnetic wave permeable window is the said waveguide.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for cooling an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving structure, and for alleviating a boundary layer of dense plasma, in a high performance reentry space vehicle, comprising: a. an antenna; b. an electromagnetic wave permeable window, having a plurality of alternating bonded layers of fused silica and of less dense silica which has been sintered; c. means for supporting said electromagnetic wave permeable window within said antenna; d. a waveguide affixed to said antenna; e. a coolant fluid; and f. means for conducting said coolant fluid to the boundary layer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for cooling an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving structure, and for alleviating a boundary layer of dense plasma, in a high performance reentry space vehicle, comprising: a. an antenna; b. an electromagnetic wave permeable window, having a plurality of alternating bonded layers of fused silica and of less dense silica which has been sintered; c. means for supporting said electromagnetic wave permeable window within said antenna; d. a waveguide affixed to said antenna; e. a coolant fluid; and f. means for conducting said coolant fluid to the boundary layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the means for conducting said coolant fluid to the boundary layer is a conduit upstream of said electromagnetic wave permeable window.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
45 words
The method of cooling an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving structure, and of alleviating a boundarY layer of dense plasma, in a reentry space vehicle having an electromagnetic wave permeable window, comprising the step of flowing a coolant fluid through hollow channels in said window.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
45 words
The method of cooling an electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving structure, and of alleviating a boundarY layer of dense plasma, in a reentry space vehicle having an electromagnetic wave permeable window, comprising the step of flowing a coolant fluid through hollow channels in said window.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3128965A
Cited
US2577463A
Cited
US2947956A
Cited
US3110000A
Cited
US3293649A
Cited
US3308332A
Cited
US3277375A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |