Optics: measuring and testing – By alignment in lateral direction
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-20
2001-01-09
Kim, Robert (Department: 2877)
Optics: measuring and testing
By alignment in lateral direction
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172758
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to commonly owned co-pending application entitled “High Resolution Positioner” by P. Livingston, filed on even date.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an alignment system and more particularly to an alignment system for multiple objects which includes a plurality of positioning modules for carrying the multiple objects. The positioning modules are controlled as a function of the displacement of each object relative to one of the objects, such that the alignment of all the objects relative to each other is uniform.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various laser weapons are known in the art. Such laser weapons are known to be mounted on ground based platforms as well as aircraft based platforms.
Because of its size, the gain generator may be formed in modules. The proposed Airborne Laser Demonstrator (ABL) laser consists of 14 gain generator modules, adapted to be arranged in two banks of 7 each. Each module weighs in the neighborhood of about 5,000 pounds. On airborne platforms, the banks of the gain generator modules are adapted to be oriented parallel to the airplane roll axis.
During flight it is known that the aircraft floor upon which the modules are seated sags causing the gain generator modules to fall out of optical alignment with one another. Such misalignment of the gain generator modules is known to cause serious degradation of the performance of the laser weapon. Unfortunately, the alignment of the component parts of such lasers must be relatively precisely maintained.
Conventionally this problem has been addressed by disposing the gain modules on a re-enforced platform or re-enforcing the floor of the aircraft on which the modules are seated. Unfortunately, either solution adds additional weight to the aircraft which is highly undesirable. Thus, there is a need for a system for maintaining the alignment of a plurality of objects, such as gain generator modules, that is relatively light weight and maintains the units in optical alignment both during flight and on the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention relates to an alignment system for multiple objects, such as gain generator modules of a distributed laser. The present invention allows for banks or rows of objects, such as gain generator modules, to be maintained in alignment with one another under closed loop control. In particular, one module of every bank or row is designated as the reference or master module, for example, at one end of the bank. Each of the remaining modules or objects are designated as slave modules and carried by a positioning module. The positioning modules are used to control the x and y movements of the slave modules relative to the master or reference module under closed loop. An iris or target with an aperture is mounted on each of the slave modules. A laser source mounted on the master or reference module is dithered relative to the targets in the x and y directions. An optical system, for example, simple telescope at the base of each target images the laser onto a detector. An error signal is created by synchronous detection, which, in turn, is applied to the positioning modules to align each of the slave modules relative to the master or reference module by closed loop control without any extra extensive weight penalties on the aircraft platform.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4319406 (1982-03-01), Pehrson, Sr. et al.
Kim Robert
Lee Andrew H.
TRW Inc.
Yatsko Michael S.
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