Optical: systems and elements – Deflection using a moving element – Using a periodically moving element
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-09
2002-04-09
Negash, Kinfe-Michael (Department: 2633)
Optical: systems and elements
Deflection using a moving element
Using a periodically moving element
C359S199200, C359S618000, C359S641000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06369925
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention is directed to a beamforming device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for combining and collimating light through the atmosphere.
2. Description of Related Art
Presently, lighting systems can be used to transmit light. This transmitted light can be used to communicate data between a source and a receiver. For example, data may be transmitted from a source across fiber optics to a receiver. Additionally, the transmitted light can be used to pinpoint objects. For example, a laser sight can be used to pinpoint a target. Furthermore, transmitted light can be used for engraving purposes. For example, high power radar can utilize transmitting light for target illumination.
Unfortunately, many present lighting systems do not provide adequate power for numerous applications. Furthermore, it can be cost and space prohibitive to increase the power of the light for use in numerous applications. For example, it is cost prohibitive to transmit high-speed data across the atmosphere because of the necessary power requirements. Also, cost and size constraints can prohibit the use of a large lighting system for many applications, such as systems for pinpointing targets. For example, presently the highest power laser diodes cannot produce more than one to four Watts of power. This power can be insufficient for making a three-dimensional rendering of a battle scene when dense atmospheric conditions are present.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a nonimaging beam combiner and collimator (NIBCC). The NIBCC can include at least two first light sources that emit light of the same wavelength through a focus point and a nonimaging element that receives the light of the same wavelength after the focus point and collimates the light of the same wavelength through the atmosphere. The at least two first light sources can include at least one of fiber light sources, optical fibers, gradient index lenses, fiber lasers and laser diodes. The collimator can include an input surface, a paraboloid surface located adjacent to the input surface, a conical surface located adjacent to the paraboloid surface, and an ellipsoid surface located adjacent to the conical surface and located on an opposite side of the collimator from the input surface. The paraboloid surface uses total internal reflection principals.
The NIBCC can further include at least two second light sources, the at least two second light sources emitting light of a same second wavelength through the focus point. The nonimaging element can further receive the light of the same second wavelength after the focus point and collimate the light of the same second wavelength to sum the power of the light of the same second wavelength through the atmosphere.
The NIBCC can additionally include a light source controller coupled to at least one of the at least two first light sources and an atmospheric condition sensing device coupled to the light source controller. The light source controller can control light emitted by at least one of the at least two first light sources based on atmospheric conditions sensed by the atmospheric condition sensing device. The light source controller can also cause the at least one of the at least two first light sources to stop emitting light when the atmospheric condition sensing device senses that the atmosphere transmits light easily. The light source controller can further cause the at least one of the at least two first light sources to emit light when the atmospheric condition sensing device senses that the atmosphere does not transmit light easily. The atmospheric condition sensing device can include a laser radar. The light source controller can perform at least one of boosting, maintaining and lowering the power of light through the atmosphere based on atmospherics sensed by the atmospheric sensing device. The atmospheric condition sensing device can sense atmospheric conditions within a beam of the light of the same first wavelength through the atmosphere.
The NIBCC can be utilized in an engraver. The NIBCC can also be utilized in a target pointing system for targeting an object.
The NIBCC can additionally be utilized in an atmospheric optical network. The atmospheric optical network can include an atmospheric optical data node. The atmospheric optical data node can include at least two first light sources, the at least two first light sources emitting light of a same first wavelength through a focus point. The atmospheric optical data node can also include at least two second light sources, the at least two second light sources emitting light of a same second wavelength through the focus point. The atmospheric optical data node can further include a nonimaging element that receives the light of the same first wavelength after the focus point and collimates the light of the same first wavelength to sum a power of the light of the same first wavelength through the atmosphere and receive the light of the same second wavelength after the focus point and collimate the light of the same second wavelength to sum the power of the light of the same second wavelength through the atmosphere. The atmospheric optical network can also include a second atmospheric optical data node.
The atmospheric optical network can additionally include a receiver that receives the light of the same first wavelength and the light of the same second wavelength from the atmosphere. The receiver can be located approximately at least two kilometers, 10 kilometers, or more from the apparatus for combining and collimating light. The receiver can include a wavelength division demultiplexer that demultiplexes the light of the same first wavelength from the light of the same second wavelength. The receiver can also include an add/drop multiplexer.
The atmospheric optical network can further include a reflector that reflects the collimated light through the atmosphere. The atmospheric optical network can also include a refractor that refracts the collimated light to a first receiver and a second receiver.
The atmospheric optical network can additionally include a light source controller coupled to at least one of the at least two first light sources and an atmospheric condition sensing device coupled to the light source controller. The light source controller can control light emitted by the at least one of the at least two first light sources based on atmospheric conditions sensed by the atmospheric condition sensing device. The light source controller can also cause the at least one of the at least two first light sources to stop emitting light when the atmospheric condition sensing device senses that the atmosphere transmits light easily. The light source controller can additionally cause the at least one of the at least two first light sources to emit light when the atmospheric condition sensing device senses that the atmosphere does not transmit light easily.
The atmospheric condition sensing device can include a laser radar. The light source controller can boost, maintain or lower the power of light through the atmosphere based on atmospherics sensed by the atmospheric sensing device. The atmospheric condition sensing device can sense atmospheric conditions within a beam of the light of the same first wavelength through the atmosphere.
The NIBCC offers the following advantages: It achieves a high quality collimated beam with 0.5 mrad divergence. Also, it is mechanically rugged and does not require periodic alignment during the operation, even under battlefield conditions. Additionally, it is inexpensively mass produced by either molding or diamond-turning technologies. Furthermore, it is transparent to enemy radar in battlefield application because it can be made without metal elements; therefore, it supports stealth technology. Also, it is very compact; 10 times smaller than a conventional optics approach. The size of the NIBCC can be <2″×2″×3″. Additionally, it is stable agains
Agurok Il'ya
Lindsey Lonnie
Negash Kinfe-Michael
Nilles & Nilles S.C.
Physical Optics Corporation
LandOfFree
Beam combiner does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Beam combiner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Beam combiner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2899474