Axial-flow aerodynamic window for high energy laser
US4777426A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1987 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/0343
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The aerodynamic window of the present invention provides a barrier between two different environments of a high energy laser device. The first environment is a transverse gas flow across the laser beam and the third environment is an axial flow beam path. The window having a second environment therein changes both the gas temperature and the gas pressure along the laser beam to minimize optical path differences between the first and third environments. The second environment has a thermal transition section and an injection section. In the thermal transition section before the injection section, a gas manifold provides a varying gas flow field. The thermal transition section changes the gas temperature while maintaining its pressure and velocity constant. A transverse flow is exhausted in a location opposite to the gas manifold. The axial flow enters into the injection section. Gas ejectors in the injection section mix the axial flowing gas and increase the gas pressure and velocity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.