US3744305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for generating large mass flow of high temperature air at hypersonic speeds
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1972-03-09
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1992-03-09
Abstract
Abstract High temperature, high mass air flow and a high Reynolds number test air flow in the Mach number 8-10 regime of adequate test flow duration is attained by pressurizing a ceramic-lined storage tank with air to a pressure of about 100 to 200 atmospheres. The air is heated to temperatures of 7,000* to 8,000*R prior to introduction into said tank by passing said air over an electric arc heater means. The air cools to 5,500* to 6,000*R while in the tank. A decomposable gas such as nitrous oxide or a combustible gas such as propane is injected into said tank after said pressurization and the heated pressurized air in said tank is rapidly released through a Mach number 8-10 nozzle. The injected gas medium upon contact with the heated pressurized air effects an exothermic reaction which maintains the pressure and temperature of the pressurized air during the rapid release. The novel apparatus employed in the method comprises an elongated ceramic-lined storage tank having an inlet and an outlet, means for supplying air under presure to said tank through said inlet, electric arc heating means for heating said air prior to its introduction into said tank, a Mach number 8-10 hypersonic nozzle provided said outlet for discharging the heated and pressurized air from said tank, and means for supplying nitrous oxide near said inlet for suppliing said heated air.
Inventors
- 👤 A Sabol
- 👤 R Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M9/00; G01M9/02; G01M9/04; F; F02; F02C; F02C7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for generating air flow at hypersonic speeds of Mach number 8 to 10 comprising an elongated ceramic lined storage tank having an inlet and an outlet, means for supplying air under pressure to said tank through said inlet, electric arc heating means for heating said air prior to its introduction into said tank, a Mach number 8 - 10 hypersonic nozzle provided said outlet for discharging the heated and pressurized air from said tank, and means for supplying a gaseous medium near said inlet for supplying said heated air, which gaseous means upon contact with said heated and pressurized air in said tank effects an exothermic reaction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for generating air flow at hypersonic speeds of Mach number 8 to 10 comprising an elongated ceramic lined storage tank having an inlet and an outlet, means for supplying air under pressure to said tank through said inlet, electric arc heating means for heating said air prior to its introduction into said tank, a Mach number 8 - 10 hypersonic nozzle provided said outlet for discharging the heated and pressurized air from said tank, and means for supplying a gaseous medium near said inlet for supplying said heated air, which gaseous means upon contact with said heated and pressurized air in said tank effects an exothermic reaction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electric arc heater means is a 10 megawatt arc heater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the storage tank is horizontal and the inlet and outlet are located at the respective ends of said tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the storage tank is vertical and the outlet is located on the side of the tank near one end and the inlet located at the opposite end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet is through the side of the tank near one end and the outlet is at the opposite end of the tank.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of generating high temperature, high mass air flow and a high Reynolds number test air flow in the Mach number 8 -10 regime of adequate test flow duration comprising pressurizing a ceramic lined storage tank with air to the pressure of about 100 to 200 atmospheres and an average temperature of about 5, 500* to 6,000*R, heated prior to introduction into said tank by passing said air over an electric arc heater means, injecting a gaseous medium into the tank after said pressurization and rapidly releasing said heated pressurized air in said tank through a Mach number 8 - 10 hypersonic nozzle, said gaseous medium upon contact with the heated pressurized air in said tank effecting an exothermic reaction that maintains the pressure and temperature of said pressurized air during said rapid release.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of generating high temperature, high mass air flow and a high Reynolds number test air flow in the Mach number 8 -10 regime of adequate test flow duration comprising pressurizing a ceramic lined storage tank with air to the pressure of about 100 to 200 atmospheres and an average temperature of about 5, 500* to 6,000*R, heated prior to introduction into said tank by passing said air over an electric arc heater means, injecting a gaseous medium into the tank after said pressurization and rapidly releasing said heated pressurized air in said tank through a Mach number 8 - 10 hypersonic nozzle, said gaseous medium upon contact with the heated pressurized air in said tank effecting an exothermic reaction that maintains the pressure and temperature of said pressurized air during said rapid release.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the pressurizing period of about 5 to 10 minutes and the discharge period is about 5 to 15 seconds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the gaseous medium is injected simultaneously with the release of said pressurized hot air and regulated to enter the tank at the same rate that said hot air is leaving to thereby hold constant the stagnation pressure in said tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the gaseous medium is introduced into said tank prior to discharge of said hot air to thereby increase the pressure in said tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said gaseous medium is a combustible gas and said exothermic reaction is obtained by combustion of said gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said combustible gas is propane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said gaseous medium is a gas decomposable under the conditions inside said hot air pressurized tank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the decomposable gas is nitrous oxide.
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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |