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US 12,716,694 B1Granted
Lightweight effective laser engagement (LELE) laser beam
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorJohn T. Willits
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical system or laser assembly has a primary mirror in optical communication with an output coupler. The primary mirror receives the electromagnetic radiation and reflects the electromagnetic radiation to a steering mirror. The optical coupler can move an axis to vary a focal length between the output coupler and the primary mirror, which in turn, varies a conical shape of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the optical coupler. The primary mirror directs the electromagnetic radiation to the steering mirror and the steering mirror directs a focused beam of the electromagnetic radiation through the opening and out of the housing toward a target.
Claims19
An optical system comprising:
- a housing having a sidewall defining an interior space and the sidewall defining an opening that extends through the sidewall, wherein the housing has a first end and a second end, and a first axis extends centrally between the first end and the second end, wherein the housing is configured to rotate about the first axis;
- a steering mirror within the interior space of the housing, wherein the steering mirror rotates in unison with the housing about the first axis, wherein the steering mirror tilts relative to a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis;
- a laser source;
- an output coupler in the interior space, wherein the output coupler is in optical communication with the laser source, wherein the output coupler transmits electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the output coupler is moveable along the first axis;
- a primary mirror in optical communication with the output coupler, wherein the primary mirror receives the electromagnetic radiation from the output coupler and reflects the electromagnetic radiation to the steering mirror, wherein movement of the output coupler along the first axis varies a focal length between the output coupler and the primary mirror;
- and
- wherein the steering mirror directs a focused beam of the electromagnetic radiation through the opening and out of the housing toward a target.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing an optical system that includes:
- a housing having a sidewall defining an interior space and the sidewall defining an opening that extends through the sidewall, wherein the housing has a first end and a second end, and a first axis extends centrally between the first end and the second end, wherein the housing is configured to rotate about the first axis;
- a steering mirror within the interior space of the housing, wherein the steering mirror rotates in unison with the housing about the first axis, wherein the steering mirror tilts relative to a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis;
- a laser source;
- an output coupler in the interior space, wherein the output coupler is in optical communication with the laser source, wherein the output coupler transmits electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the output coupler is moveable along the first axis;
- a primary mirror in optical communication with the output coupler, wherein the primary mirror receives the electromagnetic radiation from the output coupler and reflects the electromagnetic radiation to the steering mirror, wherein movement of the output coupler along the first axis varies a focal length between the output coupler and the primary mirror;
- wherein the optical system that is provided is adapted to:
- generate a laser beam in the laser source;
- guide the laser beam through the optical coupler;
- transmit the laser beam from the optical coupler to the primary mirror;
- receive the laser beam at the primary mirror;
- reflect the laser beam from the primary mirror toward the steering mirror;
- direct the laser beam from steering mirror toward a target;
- and
- cause the laser beam to converge and focus an intensity of the laser beam on the target.
12 more elements
A method comprising:
- generating a laser beam in a laser source;
- guiding the laser beam through an optical coupler;
- transmitting the laser beam from the optical coupler to a primary mirror;
- receiving the laser beam at the primary mirror;
- reflecting the laser beam from the primary mirror toward a steering mirror;
- directing the laser beam from steering mirror toward a target;
- and
- varying a focal length between the optical coupler and the primary mirror;
- and
- causing the laser beam to converge and focus an intensity of the laser beam on the target.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.