US4237429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transverse mixing hypersonic wedge nozzle chemical laser
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1978-11-08
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Granted: 1980-12-02
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Expires: 1998-11-08
Abstract
Abstract The reactants in a chemical laser are mixed to effect a lasing action by expanding one reactant through a relatively large primary nozzle in such a way as to form an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given plane (expansion plane) parallel to the flow path of the flow field, and injecting the other reactant into this expanding flow field in such a way that mixing of the reactants occurs by predominantly molecular diffusion of the second reactant into the first reactant flow field in directions transverse to the flow field expansion plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale L. Hook
- 👤 John Waypa, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/09; H01S3/095; H01S3/0951; H01S3/0953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for mixing first and second reactants in a chemical laser, comprising: primary nozzle means for expanding said first reactant to produce an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given expansion plane parallel to the flow path of the flow field; and secondary injection means for mixing said second reactant with said first reactant predominantly by molecular diffusion of the second reactant into said first reactant flow field in transverse directions of said flow field expansion plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for mixing first and second reactants in a chemical laser, comprising: primary nozzle means for expanding said first reactant to produce an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given expansion plane parallel to the flow path of the flow field; and secondary injection means for mixing said second reactant with said first reactant predominantly by molecular diffusion of the second reactant into said first reactant flow field in transverse directions of said flow field expansion plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said secondary injection means comprise spaced vanes extending across said flow field path in generally parallel relation to said expansion plane, and secondary nozzle openings in said vanes through which said secondary reactant is injected into said flow field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said vanes have a hypersonic wedge-shape in transverse cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said vanes are canted at a small angle relative to said expansion plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said primary nozzle means comprises at least one two-dimensional primary nozzle with a divergent flow passage bounded essentially by two opposing divergent walls normal to said expansion plane, and said secondary injection means comprises spaced secondary injection vanes extending across the exit end of each primary nozzle in generally parallel relation to said expansion plane, and secondary nozzle openings in said vanes through which said secondary reactant is injected into the reactant flow field from the corresponding primary nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said primary nozzle means comprises a plurality of said primary nozzles disposed side by side and having a common expansion plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said secondary injection vanes extend lengthwise at a slight angle to said planes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said secondary nozzle openings are located along the trailing edges of said secondary injection vanes relative to the direction of flow field movement past the vanes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said secondary injection vanes have a hypersonic wedge shape in transverse cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The mixing apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said secondary injection means comprise rows of spaced nozzle openings through which said second reactant is injected into said flow field, and said rows extend across said flow path in generally parallel relation to said expansion plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A chemical laser comprising: a plenum chamber in which a first gaseous reactant is generated, an optical cavity having an optical axis, primary nozzle means communicating said plenum chamber and optical cavity for expanding said first reactant through said optical cavity along a flow path transverse to said optical axis to produce within said cavity an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given expansion plane parallel to said flow path, and secondary injection means for mixing a second reactant with said first reactant predominantly by molecular diffusion of the second reactant into said flow field in directions transverse to said expansion plane and resultant lasing in said optical cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
A chemical laser comprising: a plenum chamber in which a first gaseous reactant is generated, an optical cavity having an optical axis, primary nozzle means communicating said plenum chamber and optical cavity for expanding said first reactant through said optical cavity along a flow path transverse to said optical axis to produce within said cavity an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given expansion plane parallel to said flow path, and secondary injection means for mixing a second reactant with said first reactant predominantly by molecular diffusion of the second reactant into said flow field in directions transverse to said expansion plane and resultant lasing in said optical cavity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The chemical laser of claim 11 wherein: said secondary injection means comprise spaced vanes extending across said flow field path in generally parallel relation to said expansion plane, and secondary nozzle openings in said vanes through which said secondary reactant is injected into said flow field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The chemical laser of claim 12 wherein: said vanes have a hypersonic wedge shape in transverse cross-section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
The chemical laser of claim 11 wherein: said primary nozzle means comprises at least one two-dimensional primary nozzle with a divergent flow passage bounded essentially by two opposing divergent walls normal to said expansion plane, and said secondary injection means comprises spaced secondary injection vanes extending across the exit end of said primary nozzle in generally parallel relation to said expansion plane, and secondary nozzle openings in said vanes through which said secondary reactant is injected into the reactant flow field from the corresponding primary nozzle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The chemical laser of claim 14 wherein: said primary nozzle means comprises a plurality of said primary nozzles disposed side by side and having a common expansion plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The chemical laser of claim 14 wherein: said secondary injection vanes extend lengthwise at a slight angle relative to said optical axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The chemical laser of claim 14 wherein: said secondary injection vanes have a hypersonic wedge shape in transverse cross-section; and said secondary nozzle openings are located along the trailing edges of said vanes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The chemical laser of claim 11 wherein: said secondary injection means comprise rows of spaced nozzle openings through which said second reactant is injected into said flow field, and said rows extend across said flow path in generally parallel relation to said expansion plane.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
92 words
The method of mixing first and second reactants in a chemical laser, comprising the steps of: expanding said first reactant through first nozzle means to produce an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given expansion plane parallel to the flow path of the flow field; and mixing said second reactant with said first reactant predominantly by molecular diffusion of the second reactant into said first reactant flow field in transverse directions of said flow field expansion plane.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
92 words
The method of mixing first and second reactants in a chemical laser, comprising the steps of: expanding said first reactant through first nozzle means to produce an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given expansion plane parallel to the flow path of the flow field; and mixing said second reactant with said first reactant predominantly by molecular diffusion of the second reactant into said first reactant flow field in transverse directions of said flow field expansion plane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mixing method of claim 19 wherein: said second reactant is injected into said flow field through nozzle openings in spaced hypersonic vanes extending across said flow field in generally parallel relation to said expansion plane.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of operating a chemical laser, comprising the steps of: expanding a first reactant through first nozzle means through an optical lasing cavity having an optical axis and along a flow path transverse to said axis to produce in said cavity an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given expansion plane parallel to said flow path; mixing a second reactant with said first reactant predominantly by molecular diffusion of the second reactant into said first reactant flow field in transverse directions of said flow field expansion plane.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of operating a chemical laser, comprising the steps of: expanding a first reactant through first nozzle means through an optical lasing cavity having an optical axis and along a flow path transverse to said axis to produce in said cavity an expanding reactant flow field whose free expansion is essentially two dimensional in character and occurs predominantly in directions parallel to a given expansion plane parallel to said flow path; mixing a second reactant with said first reactant predominantly by molecular diffusion of the second reactant into said first reactant flow field in transverse directions of said flow field expansion plane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 21 wherein: said second reactant is injected into said flow field through rows of spaced nozzle openings extending across said flow field in generally parallel relation to said expansion plane.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 wherein: said rows of nozzle openings are included at a slight angle to said optical axis.
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) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-06-02 | 1984-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-02 | 1988-06-02 | 1988-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-02 | 1992-06-02 | 1992-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |