US3886475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closed cycle gas dynamic laser
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-26
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-02-26
Abstract
Abstract The device includes a closed cycle gas dynamic laser wherein the lasing fluid is recirculated in a closed loop. The closed loop includes a nozzle array, a lasing cavity and a diffuser. The exit of the diffuser is connected to the inlet to the nozzle array with a fuel heat exchanger located in the lasing flow and a pumping means located between the heat exchanger and the nozzle array. To provide for cooling of the pumping means and to improve diffuser performance, gas bled from the diffuser is cooled by two heat exchangers and pumped into cooling passages in the pumping means. The heat exchangers for cooling the flow to the pumping means are located in series and carry fuel from a supply to an injector in said combustor and the heat exchanger in the lasing flow cools the fluid and carries the fuel from a supply to an injector in said combustor.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A Pinsley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/095; H01S3/0951; H01S3/0953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
A gas dynamic laser device having a closed cycle for the flow of a lasing fluid, said closed cycle including a supersonic nozzle means, a lasing region downstream of said nozzle means, reflecting means in said lasing region to form a lasing cavity, a diffuser means downstream of said lasing region, compressor means for delivering the lasing fluid to said supersonic nozzle and maintaining flow throughout the cycle, means for cooling said compressor means, said means for cooling said compressor means including first passage means for bleeding lasing fluid from said closed cycle, said compressor means having cooling passages therein, said first passage means being connected to said coolant passages, fluid pumping means in said first passage means, a first heat exchanger means located in said first passage means between said fluid pumping means and its connection for bleeding lasing fluid from said closed cycle for cooling said bled fluid, a second heat exchanger means located in said first passage means between said fluid pumping means and said compressor means for removing excess heat added by said fluid pumping means, a reactant supply, second passage means for directing the reactant from said supply to said first heat exchanger means for passage therethrough, third passage means for directing the reactant from said first heat exchanger means to said second heat exchanger means, an expansion turbine being connected to said compressor means for driving it, a combustor for flowing gases through said turbine, said combustor having injection means for receiving reactants, said reactants being a fuel and an oxidizer, fourth passage means for directing the reactant from said second heat exchanger means to the injection means of said combustor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
A gas dynamic laser device having a closed cycle for the flow of a lasing fluid, said closed cycle including a supersonic nozzle means, a lasing region downstream of said nozzle means, reflecting means in said lasing region to form a lasing cavity, a diffuser means downstream of said lasing region, compressor means for delivering the lasing fluid to said supersonic nozzle and maintaining flow throughout the cycle, means for cooling said compressor means, said means for cooling said compressor means including first passage means for bleeding lasing fluid from said closed cycle, said compressor means having cooling passages therein, said first passage means being connected to said coolant passages, fluid pumping means in said first passage means, a first heat exchanger means located in said first passage means between said fluid pumping means and its connection for bleeding lasing fluid from said closed cycle for cooling said bled fluid, a second heat exchanger means located in said first passage means between said fluid pumping means and said compressor means for removing excess heat added by said fluid pumping means, a reactant supply, second passage means for directing the reactant from said supply to said first heat exchanger means for passage therethrough, third passage means for directing the reactant from said first heat exchanger means to said second heat exchanger means, an expansion turbine being connected to said compressor means for driving it, a combustor for flowing gases through said turbine, said combustor having injection means for receiving reactants, said reactants being a fuel and an oxidizer, fourth passage means for directing the reactant from said second heat exchanger means to the injection means of said combustor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A gas dynamic laser device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a third heat exchanger means is located in the closed cycle for the flow of a lasing fluid, fifth passage means for directing the reactant from said reactant supply to said third heat exchanger means, sixth passage means for directing the reactant from said third heat exchanger means to the injection means of said combustor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A gas dynamic laser device as set forth in claim 2 including means for varying the reactant flow rate in the first and second heat exchanger means and in the third heat exchanger means for regulating the temperature of the lasing fluid in the closed cycle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3668549A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |