US3918800A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impacting jet aerodynamic window
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
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Filing: 1974-02-28
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An impacting jet aerodynamic window structure for use in systems where passage of a distortion free light beam is desired. Specifically this window structure is highly effective for use in subsonic flow gas laser systems. The window is optically clear even in the presence of large density or temperature differences between a laser gas and another gas used in the window structure. This form of laser system would include a laser cavity in conjunction with the aerodynamic window structure so that gases can be removed from the laser cavity and which window structure permits the passage of a laser beam through the window structure. The window structure comprises a pair of opposed nozzles which have their outlets spaced apart and axially aligned. One of the nozzles permits the flow of a laser gas from a laser cavity. The second nozzle permits the flow of a gas, of different composition and/or temperature. The two gases are introduced into an interaction region formed between the outlets of the respective nozzles and impact in this interaction region to form a laminar impact plane. A plenum chamber may surround the interaction region and is provided with a pump to remove the gases which are introduced into the region and impact at the laminar impact plane. A method of forming the impacting jet aerodynamic window structure is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 William Stanley Griffin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/02; H01S3/03; H01S3/034; H01S3/0343
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An impacting jet aerodynamic window for use in providing an unobstructed light path between the interior of a chamber containing a first gas and an area outside of said chamber containing a second gas, a first nozzle having its inlet connected in fluid communication with said chamber, means for introducing said first gas into the inlet of said first nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cause a jet of said first gas to be emitted at the outlet of said first nozzle, a second nozzle having its inlet connected in fluid communication with said area outside of said chamber, means for introducing said second gas into the inlet of said second nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cause a jet of said second gas to be emitted from the outlet of said second nozzle, the outlets of said nozzles being positioned in axial alignment with each other in opposing relationship for permitting the jets to impact against each other form a stable flat laminar impact plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An impacting jet aerodynamic window for use in providing an unobstructed light path between the interior of a chamber containing a first gas and an area outside of said chamber containing a second gas, a first nozzle having its inlet connected in fluid communication with said chamber, means for introducing said first gas into the inlet of said first nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cause a jet of said first gas to be emitted at the outlet of said first nozzle, a second nozzle having its inlet connected in fluid communication with said area outside of said chamber, means for introducing said second gas into the inlet of said second nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cause a jet of said second gas to be emitted from the outlet of said second nozzle, the outlets of said nozzles being positioned in axial alignment with each other in opposing relationship for permitting the jets to impact against each other form a stable flat laminar impact plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of Claim 1 and further including a housing which extends between the outlets of said nozzles and surrounds the impact plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 2 and further comprising means for scavenging excess gas from said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the nozzle outlets have areas on the order of the transverse cross-sectional area of said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the nozzle outlets have substantially identical cross sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
168 words
An impacting jet aerodynamic window for use in a laser system in providing an unobstructed light path for the laser beam between the interior of the laser chamber containing the laser gas and an area outside the chamber containing an ambient gas comprising: a first nozzle having its inlet connected in fluid communication with the laser chamber, means for introducing the laser gas into the inlet of said first nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cause a jet of the laser gas to be emitted from the outlet thereof, a second nozzle having its inlet in fluid communication with the ambient gas, means for introducing the ambient gas into the inlet of said second nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cause a jet of the second gas to be emitted from the outlet of the second nozzle, the outlets of the nozzles being positioned opposite each other in axially aligned relationship for permitting the jets to impact against each other to form a stable flat laminar impact plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
An impacting jet aerodynamic window for use in a laser system in providing an unobstructed light path for the laser beam between the interior of the laser chamber containing the laser gas and an area outside the chamber containing an ambient gas comprising: a first nozzle having its inlet connected in fluid communication with the laser chamber, means for introducing the laser gas into the inlet of said first nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cause a jet of the laser gas to be emitted from the outlet thereof, a second nozzle having its inlet in fluid communication with the ambient gas, means for introducing the ambient gas into the inlet of said second nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cause a jet of the second gas to be emitted from the outlet of the second nozzle, the outlets of the nozzles being positioned opposite each other in axially aligned relationship for permitting the jets to impact against each other to form a stable flat laminar impact plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The deivce of claim 6 and additionally including a housing which extends between the outlets of said nozzles and surrounds the impact plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 7 and further comprising means for scavenging excess gas introduced into said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the nozzle outlets have areas on the order of the transverse cross-sectional area of said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the nozzle outlets have substantially the same cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3768035A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |