Shock Wave Modification Method and System

Abstract

A system for modifying a shock wave formed in a fluid by a body to modify effects of the shock wave on information transferred to or from the body. The system includes an element for heating fluid along a path to form a volume of heated fluid expanding outwardly from the path, the path extending from the body and through the shock wave; an element for transferring the information to or from the body; and an element for timing the transferring of the information relative to the heating of the fluid along the path to modify certain effects of the shock wave on the information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for transferring information to and/or from a body through a fluid, comprising:
 a first means for heating fluid along a path to form a volume of heated fluid expanding outwardly from the path, the path extending from the body;   a line of ionized fluid formed by said means for heating fluid along said path,   means for transferring the information to and/or from the body; wherein   said line of ionized fluid is conductively coupled to said means for transferring the information and said line of ionized fluid functions as an antenna for transferring said information.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an annular array of second means for heating fluid along a path surrounding said first means for heating fluid along a path, to provide a substantially cylindrical ionized sheath surrounding said line of ionized material. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said antenna has a configuration effectively equivalent to a coaxial cable, 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for heating and ionizing the fluid is a filamenting laser. 
     
     
         5 . A system for modifying a shock wave formed in a fluid by a body to modify effects of the shock wave on information and/or signals relayed and/or transferred to and/or from the body, comprising:
 means for heating fluid along a path to form a volume of heated fluid expanding outwardly from the path, the path extending from the body and through the shock wave;   means for transferring the information to and/or from the body; and   means for timing a transfer of the information relative to the heating of the fluid along the path to modify certain effects of the shock wave on the information.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the information is transmitted from and/or received by the body and passes through the shock wave via the volume of heated fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the means for emitting energy is a filamenting laser. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the emitted energy is electromagnetic radiation, and the electromagnetic energy ionizes the fluid along the path. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the means for heating the fluid includes an electric discharge device. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the information comprises electromagnetic waves. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the information comprises acoustic waves. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 5 , further comprising antennae means extending through the shock wave. 
     
     
         13 . A method for modifying a shock wave formed in a fluid by a body to modify effects of the shock wave on information transferred to and/or from the body, comprising the steps of:
 heating fluid along a path to form a volume of heated fluid expanding outwardly from the path, the path extending from the body and through the shock wave;   transferring the information to and/or from the body; and   timing the transfer of information to and/or from the body relative to the heating of the fluid along the path to modify certain effects of the shock wave on the information.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the information is transmitted from and/or received by the body and passes through the shock wave via the volume of heated fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of heating fluid includes emitting energy along the extended path. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the energy is emitted using a filamenting laser. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the emitted energy is electromagnetic, and the electromagnetic energy ionizes the fluid along the path. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the fluid Is heated with an electric discharge device. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the information comprises electromagnetic waves, 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the information comprises acoustic waves. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising forming an antenna In the form of ionized lines extending through the shockwave. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the ionized lines have a configuration equivalent to a coaxial cable. 
     
     
         23 . A method of transferring information through a shock wave formed in a fluid by a body, comprising the steps of:
 heating fluid along a path to form a volume of heated fluid expanding outwardly from the path, the path extending from the body and through the shock wave;   transferring the information to and/or from the body, and   timing the transfer of information to and/or from the body relative to the heating of the fluid along the path to modify certain effects of the shock wave on the information.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the information comprises electromagnetic waves. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the information comprises acoustic waves.