Free-vortex supply nozzle

An aerodynamic window which utilizes a nozzle having a free-vortex distribution at its exit requires relatively little mass flow rate and dose not degrade the laser beam quality significantly. In the present investigation, an analytical procedure has been developed for the design of a free-vortex supply nozzle. The method of characteristics has been employed in the analysis. The validity of the nozzle contour obtained by the method has been established by experiments which inclued the static pressure measurements and shadowgraphs of the flow field. (author)