Optical heat exchanger and associated method
First Claim
1. An optical heat exchanger for heating a propellant carried by a vehicle, the optical heat exchanger comprising:
- a support structure defining a plurality of tapered openings, wherein each tapered opening of the plurality of openings tapers from a first size proximate an outwardly facing end of the opening to a second size, smaller than the first size, proximate an inwardly facing end of the opening, and wherein the inwardly facing end of each tapered opening of the plurality of openings is in communication with the propellant; and
a plurality of lenses, each lens of the plurality of lenses positioned proximate the outwardly facing end of a respective tapered opening, wherein each lens includes a tapered edge, wherein each lens is at least partially seated within the outwardly facing end of the respective tapered opening in such a manner as to also abut adjacent lenses along respective edges thereof such that the edge of each lens includes one portion disposed within the respective tapered opening and another portion that extends outside of the tapered opening so as to abut adjacent lenses, and wherein the edge of each lens and sidewalls of the respective tapered opening are tapered at a same angle,wherein each lens of the plurality of lenses is configured to receive an electromagnetic energy beam and to focus the electromagnetic energy beam through the inwardly facing end of the respective tapered openingsuch that the electromagnetic energy beam propagates through the respective tapered opening, after having been focused by the respective lens, so as to heat the propellant without contacting side surfaces of the support structure that define the respective tapered opening, the side surfaces extend between the outwardly facing end and the inwardly facing end of the respective tapered opening.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical heat exchanger and an associated system and method are provided to allow a vehicle, such as an unmanned air vehicle, a rocket or the like, to deliver more payload at a lower cost. The optical heat exchanger includes a support surface defining a plurality of tapered openings. Each tapered opening tapers from the first size proximate an outwardly facing end of the opening to a second smaller size proximate an inwardly facing end of the opening. The inwardly facing end of each tapered opening is in communication with the propellant. The optical heat exchanger also includes a plurality of lenses with each lens positioned proximate the outwardly facing end of a respective opening. Each lens is configured to receive an electromagnetic energy beam and concentrate the majority of the electromagnetic energy beam through the inwardly facing end of the respective tapered opening, thereby heating the propellant.
9 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An optical heat exchanger for heating a propellant carried by a vehicle, the optical heat exchanger comprising:
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a support structure defining a plurality of tapered openings, wherein each tapered opening of the plurality of openings tapers from a first size proximate an outwardly facing end of the opening to a second size, smaller than the first size, proximate an inwardly facing end of the opening, and wherein the inwardly facing end of each tapered opening of the plurality of openings is in communication with the propellant; and a plurality of lenses, each lens of the plurality of lenses positioned proximate the outwardly facing end of a respective tapered opening, wherein each lens includes a tapered edge, wherein each lens is at least partially seated within the outwardly facing end of the respective tapered opening in such a manner as to also abut adjacent lenses along respective edges thereof such that the edge of each lens includes one portion disposed within the respective tapered opening and another portion that extends outside of the tapered opening so as to abut adjacent lenses, and wherein the edge of each lens and sidewalls of the respective tapered opening are tapered at a same angle, wherein each lens of the plurality of lenses is configured to receive an electromagnetic energy beam and to focus the electromagnetic energy beam through the inwardly facing end of the respective tapered opening such that the electromagnetic energy beam propagates through the respective tapered opening, after having been focused by the respective lens, so as to heat the propellant without contacting side surfaces of the support structure that define the respective tapered opening, the side surfaces extend between the outwardly facing end and the inwardly facing end of the respective tapered opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification