Chemical Laser Advanced Nozzle Development.
Abstract
This report describes experimental and analytical efforts conducted to develop a new chemical laser nozzle concept, the tri-stream (or three-stream) chemical laser nozzle. This nozzle expands the cavity fuel and the fluorine atom (combustor effluent) flows through the same nozzle. The fluorine and cavity fuel streams are separated by a layer of diluent flow to inhibit intermixing and reaction of the fluorine atom and cavity fuel in the nozzle. These three streams (fluorine atom, diluent, and cavity fuel) form a basic unit, or element, of the device, and the number of elements per unit length of nozzle is the most important parameter affecting the achievable performance. Tri-stream nozzles were designed, fabricated, and tested in 2.5-inch-long by 0.4-inch-high nozzle exit configurations. Laser power tests of the tri-stream nozzles were conducted in a free-jet test facility capable of pumping to cavity pressures as low as 2.5 torr. The maximum specific power achieved with DF* lasing using all helium diluent was slightly in excess of 80 kJ/lb. The maximum DF* specific power achieved with N2 nozzle diluent was approximately 60 kJ/lb.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA027630
Entities
People
- L. J. Zajac
- R. A. Dickerson
- S. C. Hurlock