US4042892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hypersonic gas laser
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1976-07-22
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Granted: 1977-08-16
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Expires: 1996-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A hypersonic gas laser to produce coherent infra-red electromagnetic radiation for use in communication, illumination, energy transmission or weather control. The lasing device uses an interaction area consisting of a grid of fine wires or the like to convert the kinetic energy of hypersonic velocity gases to vibrationally excited nitrogen from which the laser energy is extracted.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Fenneman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/095; H01S3/0951; H01S3/0953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A hypersonic gas laser comprising: means for heating a suitable mixture of gases to a high temperature in a pressure chamber; a nozzle having a throat and an expansion region connected to said pressure chamber configured so that hot gases exiting said pressure chamber through said nozzle attain a hypersonic velocity; means in an interaction region adjacent said nozzle for converting the kinetic energy of said gases flowing at said hypersonic velocity into vibrational energy; and a lasing region adjacent said interaction region where said vibrationally energized gases emit optical radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A hypersonic gas laser comprising: means for heating a suitable mixture of gases to a high temperature in a pressure chamber; a nozzle having a throat and an expansion region connected to said pressure chamber configured so that hot gases exiting said pressure chamber through said nozzle attain a hypersonic velocity; means in an interaction region adjacent said nozzle for converting the kinetic energy of said gases flowing at said hypersonic velocity into vibrational energy; and a lasing region adjacent said interaction region where said vibrationally energized gases emit optical radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A hypersonic gas laser as recited in claim 1 wherein; said means for converting comprise a grid of fine wires with a radius less that the mean free path of the impinging molecules of said gases, said wires being spaced 100-1000 mean free paths away from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hypersonic gas laser as recited in claim 2 wherein; said suitable mixture of gases comprise nitrogen, carbon dioxide and a relaxing medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A hypersonic gas laser as recited in claim 3 wherein; said heating means comprises combusting air and a hydrocarbon fuel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A hypersonic gas laser as recited in claim 4 wherein; said relaxing medium comprises a medium selected from the group consisting of water and helium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3605038A
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US3758876A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-15 | 1981-02-14 | 1981-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-15 | 1985-02-14 | 1985-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-02-14 | 1989-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |