De Laval nozzle
part · 1888 · Electric age
A converging–diverging nozzle that accelerates gas to supersonic speed.
Principles and materials it uses
- Venturi effect (Bernoulli’s principle) — uses. The nozzle accelerates the gas.
- Steel — is made of. The nozzle is heat-resistant steel.
- Reaction force — uses. It accelerates gas, creating thrust.
Where it is used
- Liquid-propellant rocket engine — is part of. A nozzle.
- Solid rocket motor — is part of. A nozzle.
- Rocket — is part of. A narrowing at the outlet accelerates the gases and increases thrust.
- Ramjet — is part of. The nozzle accelerates the combustion products.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Steam turbine — evolved from. De Laval invented the nozzle for a steam turbine.