Patent US4426843A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4426843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
CO2 Coupling material
Assignee: RTX Corp
•
Filing: 1980-11-12
•
Granted: 1984-01-24
•
Expires: 2000-11-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved energy conversion device for converting the energy carried by a laser beam to kinetic energy of a working fluid transparent to the laser radiation incorporates a seed gas having a relatively low dissociation temperature. The beam is focused to a beam spot the maximum diameter of which depends on the total power of the beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael C. Fowler
- 👤 David C. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:02
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03H; F03H99/00; F03H3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for converting electromagnetic radiation energy from a CO 2 laser to kinetic energy of a kinetic fluid comprising the steps of: mixing a low atomic weight working fluid that is substantially transparent to CO 2 radiation with a predetermined portion of a radiation conversion material having triatomic molecules with atomic weights of less than 20 to form a kinetic fluid; passing said kinetic fluid into a heating chamber; generating at least one beam of CO 2 optical radiation and having at least one power level; transporting said at least one beam of optical radiation to said heating chamber; focusing said at least one beam of optical radiation to at least one predetermined focus area within said heating chamber; absorbing electromagnetic energy from said at least one beam in said focus area by interaction with said radiation conversion material; and transferring kinetic energy from said radiation conversion material to said working fluid, said at least one focus area being related to said at least one power level so that a portion of said kinetic fluid within said focus area is raised to a nonequilibrium state having a highest temperature between about 1,000° K. and about 5,000° K.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for converting electromagnetic radiation energy from a CO 2 laser to kinetic energy of a kinetic fluid comprising the steps of: mixing a low atomic weight working fluid that is substantially transparent to CO 2 radiation with a predetermined portion of a radiation conversion material having triatomic molecules with atomic weights of less than 20 to form a kinetic fluid; passing said kinetic fluid into a heating chamber; generating at least one beam of CO 2 optical radiation and having at least one power level; transporting said at least one beam of optical radiation to said heating chamber; focusing said at least one beam of optical radiation to at least one predetermined focus area within said heating chamber; absorbing electromagnetic energy from said at least one beam in said focus area by interaction with said radiation conversion material; and transferring kinetic energy from said radiation conversion material to said working fluid, said at least one focus area being related to said at least one power level so that a portion of said kinetic fluid within said focus area is raised to a nonequilibrium state having a highest temperature between about 1,000° K. and about 5,000° K.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said kinetic fluid expands outwardly from said heating chamber through a rocket nozzle, thereby imparting thrust to said heating chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2, in which said working fluid is substantially composed of hydrogen and said radiation conversion material is formed from a compound of hyrdrogen and oxygen.
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) | 1987-01-23 | 1987-07-25 | 1988-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-23 | 1991-07-25 | 1992-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-23 | 1995-07-25 | 1996-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |