Patent US4031759A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4031759A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of, and apparatus for, making visible the flow pattern of a gas
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1976-08-12
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1996-08-12
Abstract
Abstract The pattern of the flow of a gas that is injected into a gaseous stream is made visible by causing the flow of the injected gas to become luminous; and, therefore, to be visible, detectable, and recordable. This luminosity is accomplished by producing long-lifetime (metastable), excited-state species (atoms or molecules) of the main gas flow upstream of the injected gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude R. Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/0093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
An apparatus for making visible the geometry of the flow pattern of a second gas introduced into a first gas which is capable of producing metastable molecules and atoms, comprising: a. a source of said first gas; b. a source of said second gas; c. a translucent reservoir capable of containing said first gas and said second gas; d. means for controlling flow of said first gas, with said flow control means for said first gas interposed between, and connected to, said source of said first gas and said reservoir; e. means for controlling flow of said second gas, with said flow control means for said second gas interposed between, and connected to, said source of said second gas and said reservoir; f. means for introducing said second gas into the flow of said first gas, within said reservoir, with said second gas introduction means connected to said reservoir; g. means for promoting flow of said first gas and of said second gas into and within said reservoir, with said flow promoting means connected to said reservoir; h. and, means for producing metastable molecules and atoms of said first gas, within said reservoir, with said production means connected to said reservoir; whereby, when metastable molecules and atoms of said first gas are produced in said reservoir, they transfer their energy to said second gas, thereby causing said second gas to emit visible light, and thereby making visible the geometry of the flow pattern of said second gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
247 words
An apparatus for making visible the geometry of the flow pattern of a second gas introduced into a first gas which is capable of producing metastable molecules and atoms, comprising: a. a source of said first gas; b. a source of said second gas; c. a translucent reservoir capable of containing said first gas and said second gas; d. means for controlling flow of said first gas, with said flow control means for said first gas interposed between, and connected to, said source of said first gas and said reservoir; e. means for controlling flow of said second gas, with said flow control means for said second gas interposed between, and connected to, said source of said second gas and said reservoir; f. means for introducing said second gas into the flow of said first gas, within said reservoir, with said second gas introduction means connected to said reservoir; g. means for promoting flow of said first gas and of said second gas into and within said reservoir, with said flow promoting means connected to said reservoir; h. and, means for producing metastable molecules and atoms of said first gas, within said reservoir, with said production means connected to said reservoir; whereby, when metastable molecules and atoms of said first gas are produced in said reservoir, they transfer their energy to said second gas, thereby causing said second gas to emit visible light, and thereby making visible the geometry of the flow pattern of said second gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said translucent reservoir is a transparent glass tube having a first open end and a second open end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling flow of said first gas from said source of said first gas to said translucent reservoir is a first conduit, connecting said first gas source to said reservoir, and a first openable and closeable valve connected to said first conduit and interposed between said first gas source and said reservoir.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling flow of said second gas from said source of said second gas to said translucent reservoir is a second conduit, connecting said second gas source to said reservoir, and a second openable and closeable valve connected to said second conduit and interposed between said second gas source and said reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second gas introduction means includes an injector tube capable of forming a jet stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for promoting flow of said first gas and of said second gas includes a vacuum pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for producing metastble molecules and atoms of said first gas includes discharge electrodes connected to a source of electrical energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises means for detecting the visible light geometry of the flow pattern of said second gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises means for recording the visible light geometry of the flow pattern of said second gas.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of making visible the geometry of the flow pattern of a second gas introduced into the flow of a first gas which is capable of producing metastable molecules and atoms, comprising the steps of: a. introducing said first gas into a translucent reservoir; b. promoting flow of said first gas within the reservoir; c. producing metastble molecules and atoms of said first gas, within the reservoir; d. introducing said second gas into the reservoir; e. and, promoting flow of said second gas into the flow of said first gas within the reservoir.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of making visible the geometry of the flow pattern of a second gas introduced into the flow of a first gas which is capable of producing metastable molecules and atoms, comprising the steps of: a. introducing said first gas into a translucent reservoir; b. promoting flow of said first gas within the reservoir; c. producing metastble molecules and atoms of said first gas, within the reservoir; d. introducing said second gas into the reservoir; e. and, promoting flow of said second gas into the flow of said first gas within the reservoir.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB926578A
Cited
US3081623A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |