Optical system for generating endothermic fuel for use in a propulsion producing engine
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJeffrey H. Hunt, Herbert R. Lander
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Abstract
The optical system includes an optical source capable of producing light having physical characteristics sufficient for optically driven chemical disassociation of a fuel; and, an optical delivery system for providing optical delivery of light from the optical source to a chemical fuel source. The optical system is used for a propulsion producing engine having a chemical fuel source. The endothermic fuel generation is produced by the non-linear, optical interaction of the produced light with the fuel, thereby leading to molecular dissociation of the fuel.
Claims12
An optical system for generating endothermic fuel for a propulsion producing engine having a chemical fuel source comprising:
- a) an optical source capable of producing light having physical characteristics sufficient for non-linear optically driven chemical dissociation of a fuel;
- and
- b) an optical delivery system for providing optical delivery of light from said optical source to a chemical fuel source, wherein the endothermic fuel generation is produced by the non-linear, optical interaction of said produced light with the fuel, thereby leading to molecular dissociation of the fuel.
A propulsion producing engine, comprising:
- a) a chemical fuel source for supplying fuel capable of reacting exothermically with an oxidizer;
- b) an oxidizer source for supplying oxidizer;
- c) a combustion chamber;
- d) means for introducing said fuel and said oxidizer into said combustion chamber;
- and
- e) an optical system, comprising:
- i) an optical source capable of producing light having physical characteristics sufficient for non-linear optically driven chemical disassociation of said fuel;
- and
- ii) an optical delivery system for providing optical delivery of light from said optical source to said chemical fuel source, wherein
- the endothermic fuel generation is produced by the non-linear, optical interaction of said produced light with the fuel, thereby leading to molecular disassociation of the fuel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.