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US 2003/0194177 A1Published application
Optical fiber link
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorByron W. Tietjen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system comprises at least one optical fiber that revolves around an axis when an array assembly that includes a radar array revolves around the axis. The optical fiber receives a light pattern that specifies information from the array assembly. A stationary device remains optically coupled to the optical fiber for receiving the light pattern while the optical fiber revolves around the axis.
Claims33
A system, comprising:
- a plurality of conical reflectors positioned at respectively different levels, wherein none of the plurality of reflectors is axially aligned with any other one of the plurality of reflectors;
- a first plurality of optical paths, each facing the apex of a respective one of the conical reflectors;
- and
- a second plurality of optical paths perpendicular to the first plurality of optical paths, wherein each of the second plurality of optical paths extends to a side surface of a respective one of the plurality of conical reflectors and has a 360 degree field of view.
1 more element
A system comprising:
- at least one optical fiber that revolves around an axis when an array assembly that includes a radar array revolves around the axis, the optical fiber receiving a light pattern that specifies information from the array assembly;
- and
- a stationary device that remains optically coupled to the optical fiber for receiving the light pattern while the optical fiber revolves around the axis.
A method for conducting light, comprising the steps of:
- revolving a radially oriented optical fiber around the conical reflector;
- directing a light beam through a first optical path towards an apex of a conical reflector;
- re-directing at least a portion of the light beam using the conical reflector;
- transmitting the re-directed portion of the light beam through a second optical path perpendicular to the first optical path, wherein the second optical path begins at a side surface of the conical reflector and has a 360 degree field of view;
- and
- transmitting the re-directed portion of the light beam from the second optical path to an input of the movable optical fiber while the movable optical fiber is revolving.
3 more elements
A method for conducting light, comprising the steps of:
- revolving a movable optical fiber around a side optical path that extends to a side surface of a conical reflector and has a 360 degree field of view;
- transmitting the light pattern from an output of the movable optical fiber to the side optical path while the movable optical fiber is revolving
- directing a light pattern through the side optical path;
- re-directing the light pattern using the conical reflector;
- and
- directing the light pattern through a longitudinal optical path that extends longitudinally from the apex of the conical reflector.
3 more elements
A method of conducting light, comprising the steps of:
- revolving an array assembly that includes a radar array around an axis;
- revolving a movable optical fiber around the axis when the array assembly revolves around the axis;
- transmitting a light pattern through the movable optical fiber while the array assembly revolves, the light pattern specifying information from the array assembly;
- and
- maintaining an optical coupling between a stationary device and the movable optical fiber while the optical fiber revolves around the axis.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.