Diffused surface radiant energy receiver
AssigneeVaro, Inc.
InventorRichard H. Laughlin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for receiving radiant energy is provided having a linear sensitivity to the angle of arrival of the radiant energy with that linearity relatively unaffected by wavelength and polarization variations in the radiant energy. An optical fiber is provided having a receiving end disposed to receive radiant energy and also having a transmitting end. A diffusing surface for receiving radiant energy is disposed on the receiving end of the optical fiber. A detector receives radiant energy from the transmitting end of the optical fiber.
Claims18
Apparatus for receiving and sensing radiant energy, comprising:
- first and second optical fibers each having a receiving end disposed to receive radiant energy and a transmitting end;
- first and second diffusing surfaces for receiving radiant energy disposed on respective receiving ends of said first and second optical fibers, said first and second surfaces disposed in intersecting planes;
- each diffusing surface transmitting a portion of the radiant energy impinging thereon as a predetermined function of the angle of incidence of said energy to said surface;
- and
- a first and second detector to receive said portions of radiant energy from said transmitting ends of said first and second optical fibers respectively and determining the angle of incidence of said radiant energy from said portions based on said function.
Apparatus for receiving radiant energy for use in a radiant energy discriminator which determines the angle of arrival of radiant energy, comprising:
- a first plurality of optical fibers, each having a receiving end and a transmitting end, each said receiving end disposed parallel to a first common plane for receiving radiant energy;
- at least one first detector disposed to receive radiant energy from at least one of said first plurality of transmitting ends;
- a second plurality of optical fibers, each having a receiving end and a transmitting end, each said receiving end disposed parallel to a second common plane for receiving radiant energy;
- at least one second detector disposed to receive radiant energy from at least one of said second plurality of transmitting ends;
- a diffusigg surface disposed on ones of said receiving ends of said first plurality of optical fibers;
- a diffusing surface disposed on ones of said receiving ends of said second plurality of optical fibers;
- said first and second common planes intersecting at a predetermined angle with each other.
A method for receiving and transmitting radiant energy for use in conjunction with source discriminator radiant energy detector apparatus, comprising:
- disposing receiving ends of a first plurality of optical fibers parallel to a first common plane for receiving radiant energy;
- disposing at least one first diffusing surface between a radiant energy source and said receiving ends of said first plurality of optical fibers;
- disposing transmitting ends of said first plurality of optical fibers to transmit radiant energy to at least one first radiant energy detector;
- disposing receiving ends of a second plurality of optical fibers parallel to a second common plane for receiving radiant energy;
- disposing at least one second diffusing surface between said radiant energy source and said receiving ends of said second plurality of optical fibers;
- disposing transmitting ends of said second plurality of optical fibers to transmit radiant energy to at least one second energy detector;
- orienting said first common plane at a predetermined angle with regard to said second common plane;
- generating a signal from said at least one first radiant energy detector responsive to radiant energy transmitted from said at least one first plurality of optical fibers to said at least one first radiant energy detector;
- generating a signal from said one second radiant energy detector responsive to radiant energy transmitted from said second plurality of optical fibers to said at least one second radiant energy detector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.