IR laser diode based high intensity light
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsNicolo F. Machi, Nam H. Vo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An infrared LASER diode based high intensity light (100) for use as an aircraft landing light or searchlight in conjunction with night vision imaging systems. The high intensity light (100) uses infrared LASER diodes (110) installed into a heat sink (112) for temperature stability. The infrared light emitted from the LASER diodes (110) is transmitted to an optical positioning plate (106) by optical transmission means (108). The optical positioning plate (106) combines the emissions of the individual LASER diodes (110) to a single infrared light beam, which is collimated by an aspheric lens (102).
Claims24
A high intensity infrared light, comprising:
- a housing;
- two or more LASER infrared diodes arranged inside said housing;
- means comprising a heat sink for receiving heat from said LASER infrared diodes;
- means for collecting and transmitting the infrared light radiated by said LASER infrared diodes;
- means for receiving and combining the infrared light from said optical transmitting means into a single beam of infrared light and to radiate the beam of light from a light emitting surface;
- and
- a lens situated such that the focal plane of said lens is placed at the light emitting surface of said combining means, wherein said lens is adapted to receive the beam of infrared light emitted by the combining means and to collimate said beam of infrared light.
A high intensity infrared light, comprising:
- a housing, said hoeing including mounting points to facilitate installation;
- two or more LASER infrared diodes arranged inside said housing;
- means comprising a heat sink for receiving heat from said LASER infrared diodes;
- at least two optical transmission means coupled to said LASER infrared diodes and adapted to collect and transmit the infrared light radiated by said LASER infrared diodes;
- an optical positioning plate adapted to receive and combine said optical transmissions into a single beam of light and to radiate the beam of light from a light emitting surface;
- a lens situated such that the focal plane of said lens is placed at the light emitting surface of said optical positioning plate, said lens adapted to receive the beam of infrared light emitted by the optical positioning plate and to collimate said beam of infrared light;
- and
- means for controlling the electrical power applied to said LASER infrared diodes, said means being one of located inside said housing and located remotely from said housing.
A process for providing high intensity infrared light, comprising:
- providing at least two LASER infrared diodes;
- removing heat from said LASER infrared diodes;
- transmitting infrared light emitted from said LASER infrared diodes through an optical transmission means;
- combining the output of said optical transmission means into a single beam of infrared light;
- radiating said beam of infrared light from a light emitting surface;
- positioning a lens such that the focal plane of said lens is situated at said light emitting surface;
- and
- transmitting the beam of infrared light through said lens,
- wherein the lens is configured to collimate the transmitted beam of infrared light.
A process for providing high intensity infrared light, comprising:
- providing at least two LASER infrared diodes;
- limiting the electrical power applied to said LASER infrared diodes;
- removing heat from said LASER infrared diodes;
- transmitting infrared light emitted from said LASER infrared diodes to optical transmission means;
- combining the output of said optical transmission means into a single beam of infrared light;
- radiating said beam of infrared light from a light emitting surface;
- positioning a lens such that the focal plane of said lens is situated at said light emitting surface;
- and
- transmitting the beam of infrared light through said lens,
- wherein the lens is configured to collimate the transmitted beam of infrared light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.