US 6,296,036 B1Granted

Auto-shutter system for eye protection against in-band frequency agile lasers

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army

InventorsWilliam F. Otto, Vernon H. Ayre, John K. Dempsey, Richard D. Milton

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Abstract

An automatic-shutter system functions as a counter-measure to the in-band frequency agile laser threat posed to the eyes of pilot(s)/operator(s). Ideally it is desirable to protect the operator from every laser pulse including the first. However, the lack of fast shutters or optical gates (faster than a micro-second) suitable for visible usage has prevented the protection from a first pulse threat. The automatic-shutter system detects the first pulse and provides protection against any subsequent pulses. This is achieved by a multi-directional detector system for actuating shutters on the aircraft/vehicle. The detector, after detecting a pulse of laser light, further comprises processing means in electrical communication with the multi-directional detector for processing a detected pulse of laser light and to generate a signal responsive thereto. A plurality of shutters can be individually or group dropped in response to shutter actuating means to provide protection against subsequent pulses of laser light.

Claims2

Dependent claims

An automatic-shutter system for eye protection for an operator of an aircraft against in-band frequency agile laser beam comprising:

(i) a multi-dirctional detector for detecting a first laser pulse of laser light;
(ii) processing means in electrical communication with said multi-directional detector for processing said detected first laser pulse of laser light and to generate an output signal responsive thereto, said processing means being a comparator circuit having a predetermined reference set voltage which corresponds to a threshold level which must be exceeded by said output signal of said multi-directional detector before said comparator circuit is activated, said threshold level corresponding to a signal level that would be received from said multi-directional detector after said multi-directional detector detects said first laser pulse of sufficient fluence to cause damage level to a human eye, said damage level being further defined as the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) in according with laser safety standards;
(iii) shutter actuating means responsive to the output of said processing means for actuating or dropping the particular shutter(s) on the aircraft that will provide protection against subsequent pulses of laser light;
and,
(iv) a plurality of shutters which can be actuated or dropped in response to said shutter actuating means.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.