Patent ID: 7509851
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. In a plasma heated arcjet wind tunnel comprising a plurality of spaced disc shaped tunnel segments that provide spacing between an anode and cathode in a plasma heated tunnel, the improvement comprising: tunnel segments comprising two concentric discs each having a central bore, a larger outer disc and a smaller inner disc which fits snugly in the central bore of the larger outer disc, each disc having inner and outer edge surfaces and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, the inner disc having a groove formed in its outer edge, the outer disc having an internal radial passage extending from its outer edge to its inner edge and communicating with the groove formed in the outer edge of the inner disc, said inner and outer concentric discs being joined at a welded interface comprising a straight butt joint and an angled butt joint, said joints withstanding the passage of high pressure coolant flow, at the straight and angled butt joints all edge surfaces of the inner and outer discs are in abutting engagement except at the groove.