Title: Subsonic flow aerodynamic window for high energy laser

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Claims: What is claimed is:

1. A subsonic flow aerodynamic window in a high energy gas laser, which seals off the laser optical cavity from the ambient gas while minimizing the degradation of the laser output beam, comprising:

a gas laser for providing a laser beam including a laser cavity and an outlet chamber for said beam to traverse;

an entrance in said chamber for receiving said laser beam from said laser cavity;

means connected to a flow system for providing a gas for producing a subsonic gas jet flowing transversely to said laser output beam for sealing off said chamber from the ambient gas with reduced degradation of said output laser beam;

an exhaust duct transverse to said chamber for exhausting said gas jet;

convergent nozzle for acceleration of the gas to provide said subsonic flow; and

a plurality of plates and screens positioned in said cavity between said means and said convergent nozzle for reducing the turbulence of the gas jet.

2. A subsonic flow aerodynamic window in a high energy gas laser, which seals off the laser optical cavity from the ambient gas comprising:

means for providing a laser beam;

a gas laser power amplifier;

said amplifier including a laser cavity for amplifying said laser beam;

an inlet chamber for said beam to enter said cavity;

an outlet chamber for said beam to exist said cavity;

a duct in said chamber for receiving said beam;

means connected to a flow system for providing a gas for producing a subsonic gas jet flowing transversely to said laser beam for sealing off said cavity from the ambient gas with reduced degradation of said laser beam;

an exhaust duct transverse to said cavity for exhausting said gas jet;

a convergent nozzle for acceleration of the gas to provide said subsonic flow; and

a plurality of plates and screens positioned in said cavity between said means and said convergent nozzle for reducing the turbulance of the gas jet.

Other info:

Inventors: Kallis, James M. (Los Angeles, CA, US)

Application Number: 455437
Filing Date: 1974-03-27
Publication_date: 1976-02-03
Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company (Culver City, CA)
Primary Class(es): 372/104 359/894
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3617928	Nov, 1971	Hausmann	331/94.
3654569	Apr, 1972	Hausmann	331/94.
3768035	Oct, 1973	Zar	331/94.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Sikes, William L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: MacAllister, Jr.; W. H., Kozem; F. I.