US3873939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aerodynamic window
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-28
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A gas laser emits an output laser beam from a low pressure region to a region having a higher pressure. This is done through an opening in the side of a laser device. Under normal circumstances, the provision of such an opening would incur a flow of air from the high pressure side, externally of the laser device, to the low pressure side within the device. To prevent this, an aerodynamic window is placed in a passageway leading from said opening in the laser device through which the laser beam passes. A gas flow is passed across said passageway which will provide a flow which is approximately the flow of a segment of a free-vortex flow field having a pressure differential across the segment which is equal to that between the low and high pressure regions. A multi-element nozzle directs the gas into the passageway and an opening collects the flow onto the other side of said passageway. A curved deflector is provided to start the formation of the segment of the free-vortex flow, if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy N Guile
- 👤 C Edward Kepler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/034; H01S3/0343
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In combination in a gas laser device, a lasing region of low pressure, an outlet for an output laser beam in said laser device forming an exit to a second region of a different pressure, an outlet passageway connected to said laser device and extending away therefrom around said outlet, means having an array of nozzles for providing an arcuate gas flow across said passageway which is approximately the flow of a segment of a free-vortex flow field having a pressure differential which is equal to that between the lasing region and the second region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In combination in a gas laser device, a lasing region of low pressure, an outlet for an output laser beam in said laser device forming an exit to a second region of a different pressure, an outlet passageway connected to said laser device and extending away therefrom around said outlet, means having an array of nozzles for providing an arcuate gas flow across said passageway which is approximately the flow of a segment of a free-vortex flow field having a pressure differential which is equal to that between the lasing region and the second region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the momentum in the exit plane of each nozzle of said array is smade equal to the average momentum of the corresponding portion of said segment of a free-vortex flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nozzles of said array have their exit planes along a radius which forms one side of the segment of a free-vortex flow field and passes through the center of curvature of the segment of a free-vortex flow field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein an exhaust diffuser is located in said passageway opposite said nozzle array, a deflector means is mounted on said device to direct the flow from said nozzle array into said exhaust diffuser during initiation of gas flow across said passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said deflector means is pivotally mounted and an actuator moves said deflector between a closed position where it directs the flow and an open position where an output laser beam can pass from said outlet passageway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
In combination in a system having a first region of low pressure, an openiing in said region forming an exit, an outlet passageway connected to said system and extending away therefrom around said opening, and an aerodynamic windoW assembly permitting passage therethrough to a second region of higher pressure, said aerodynamic window assembly having an array of nozzles for providing an arcuate gas flow across said passageway which is approximately the flow of a segment of a free-vortex flow field having a pressure differential which is equal to that between the first region and the second region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
In combination in a system having a first region of low pressure, an openiing in said region forming an exit, an outlet passageway connected to said system and extending away therefrom around said opening, and an aerodynamic windoW assembly permitting passage therethrough to a second region of higher pressure, said aerodynamic window assembly having an array of nozzles for providing an arcuate gas flow across said passageway which is approximately the flow of a segment of a free-vortex flow field having a pressure differential which is equal to that between the first region and the second region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the momentum in the exit plane of each nozzle of said array is made equal to the average momentum of the corresponding portion of said segment of a free-vortex flow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |