Laser with Brayton cycle outlet pump

Abstract

A chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL) comprises an oxygen generator and a nozzle for accelerating generated oxygen to a high or supersonic velocity. A laser cavity is coupled to the nozzle, wherein the accelerated fluid, with injected iodine, is employed as a laser gain medium. A Brayton cycle outlet pump employs the accelerated oxygen and iodine as a component of a process fluid in a Brayton cycle to raise the static pressure of the accelerated fluid to ambient conditions. The Brayton cycle pump comprises a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being coupled to the laser cavity to receive and compress accelerated oxygen. A combustor is coupled to the outlet of the compressor to receive compressed oxygen and ignite and combust it A turbine is coupled to the outlet of the combustor to expand the ignited and combusted gas, wherein the turbine powers the compressor. Multiple reheat stages may be used and regeneration and intercooling may also be used. The use of reheat, regeneration, and intercooling depends on the application.

1 . A gas laser comprising: 
 a supply of fluid;    a nozzle for accelerating supplied fluid to high velocity;    a laser cavity coupled to the nozzle, wherein the accelerated fluid is employed as a laser gain medium; and    a gas cycle outlet pump having an inlet coupled to the laser cavity, the gas cycle outlet pump employing the fluid from the laser cavity as a component of a process fluid in a gas cycle to raise the static pressure of the accelerated fluid.    
     
     
         2 . The laser according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas cycle outlet pump comprises a Brayton cycle outlet.  
     
     
         3 . The laser according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas cycle outlet pump comprises: 
 a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet coupled to the laser cavity;    a combustor having an inlet and an outlet, the combustor inlet coupled to the outlet of the compressor; and    a turbine having an inlet and an outlet, the turbine inlet coupled to the outlet of the combustor, wherein the turbine powers the compressor.    
     
     
         4 . The laser according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas cycle outlet pump comprises multiple stages.  
     
     
         5 . The laser according to  claim 1  further comprising a diffuser between the laser cavity and the gas cycle outlet pump.  
     
     
         6 . The laser according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas cycle outlet pump includes at least one reheat stage.  
     
     
         7 . The laser according to  claim 3 , wherein the compressor is a multi-stage compressor.  
     
     
         8 . The laser according to  claim 3 , wherein the turbine is a multi-stage turbine.  
     
     
         9 . The laser according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas cycle outlet pump includes a regeneration stage.  
     
     
         10 . The laser according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas cycle outlet pump includes an intercooling stage.  
     
     
         11 . The laser according to  claim 3 , wherein the turbine has a work output that exceeds the work required to operate the compressor, wherein there is net work output from the gas cycle pump.  
     
     
         12 . A gas laser comprising: 
 a supply of fluid;    a nozzle for accelerating supplied fluid to high velocity;    a laser cavity coupled to the nozzle, wherein the accelerated fluid is employed as a laser gain medium; and    a heat engine outlet pump having an inlet coupled to the laser cavity, the heat engine outlet pump employing the fluid from the laser cavity as a component of a process fluid in a heat engine to raise the static pressure of the accelerated fluid.    
     
     
         13 . The laser according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat engine outlet pump comprises a Brayton cycle outlet.  
     
     
         14 . The laser according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat engine outlet pump comprises: 
 a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet coupled to the laser cavity;    a combustor having an inlet and an outlet, the combustor inlet coupled to the outlet of the compressor; and    a turbine having an inlet and an outlet, the turbine inlet coupled to the outlet of the combustor, wherein the turbine powers the compressor.    
     
     
         15 . The laser according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat engine outlet pump comprises multiple stages.  
     
     
         16 . The laser according to  claim 12  further comprising a diffuser between the laser cavity and the heat engine outlet pump.  
     
     
         17 . The laser according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat engine outlet pump includes at least one reheat stage.  
     
     
         18 . The laser according to  claim 14 , wherein the compressor is a multi-stage compressor.  
     
     
         19 . The laser according to  claim 14 , wherein the turbine is a multi-stage turbine.  
     
     
         20 . The laser according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat engine outlet pump includes a regeneration stage.  
     
     
         21 . The laser according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat engine outlet pump includes an intercooling stage.  
     
     
         22 . The laser according to  claim 14 , wherein the turbine has a work output that exceeds the work required to operate the compressor, wherein there is net work output from the heat engine pump.