US 6,805,467 B2 · Emergency laser array signal light

Abstract

A portable emergency light for long range detection by flight and marine search and rescue personnel which utilizes a battery-powered laser array mounted and sealed within a waterproof housing to increase the effective intensity of a specific class laser. The laser array includes a plurality of laser light generators mounted together to project substantially along a common optical axis producing a signaling light. The search and rescue light may include a rotatable head for directing the signaling lights along a 360° plane and a three-dimensional gimbal which maintains the light beams in a level horizontal position so that the signaling lights may be easily projected along the entire horizon relative to the user. Each laser light generator is within US Government safety standards for the specific class laser despite the increased power of the signal. The laser array can be used with optical alignment lenses to form a desired highly visible light pattern.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An emergency signal light system comprised of two or more lasers configured to provide an effect of a more powerful single laser using laser alignment so that the lasers are superimposed on each other or next to each other and comprising:

a laser light beam array formed by mounting together substantially parallel a plurality of laser light generators which project more than one laser light beam in substantially the same direction relative to a common optical axis;
an electrical power source connected to each of said laser light beam generators for powering said generators;
a laser light beam array electrical circuit connecting said power source and each of said laser generators;
an electrical on/off switch connected to said electrical circuit for turning said laser generators on and off;
a housing, said laser light beam array, electrical power source and electrical on/off switch mounted within said housing;
and
a light beam optical manipulation device which allows laser light beams emitted from said laser light beam array to pass through and outside said housing so that said laser light beams form a predetermined pattern at a defined distance from said laser light generators.

4 more elements

a laser light beam array formed by mounting together substantially parallel a plurality of laser light generators which project more than one laser light beam in substantially the same direction relative to a common optical axis;
an electrical power source connected to each of said laser light beam generators for powering said generators;
a laser light beam array electrical circuit connecting said power source and each of said laser generators;
an electrical on/off switch connected to said electrical circuit for turning said laser generators on and off;
a housing, said laser light beam array, electrical power source and electrical on/off switch mounted within said housing;
a light beam optical manipulation device which allows laser light beams emitted from said laser light beam array to pass through and outside said housing so that said laser light beams form a predetermined pattern at a defined distance from said laser light generators;
said laser light generators are off the shelf laser light sources that meet U.S. Government safety regulations of 5 milliwatts or less;
and
said laser light beams emitted by said laser light generators are altered using an optical alignment means, so that said laser light beams are aligned along a signal plane parallel to one another.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Emergency laser array signal light

Life of this patent

Emergency laser array signal light

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20