Scanner for airborne laser system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for directing laser energy to a plurality of targets in multiple fields of view, and receiving the scattered returns therefrom, comprising:
- a plurality of condensing optical elements for collecting said scattered returns, a plurality of windows for allowing said laser energy to pass therethrough;
an optical enclosure being formed from a combination of said condensing optical elements and said windows;
a multiple-axis scanning mirror positioned to receive a laser beam, said multiple-axis scanning mirror directing said laser beam into one or more predetermined scan patterns; and
a fold mirror with patterned aperture positioned to intercept the laser scan pattern, from said scanning mirror, said fold mirror mirror directing a first portion of said laser scan pattern along a first field of view and a second portion of said laser scan pattern along a second field of view.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-axis laser scanner and receiver capable of providing laser scanning in multiple fields of view using a microscanner and a fold mirror with a patterned aperture. The fold mirror has a transmissive central region and a periphery that is reflective. Such scanners can be employed in a helicopter to scan in the forward field of view for obstacle detection, and in an upward field of view for air data measurements. Additional fields of view can be added, for example, to provide downward scans to detect height above terrain and ground speed.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for directing laser energy to a plurality of targets in multiple fields of view, and receiving the scattered returns therefrom, comprising:
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a plurality of condensing optical elements for collecting said scattered returns, a plurality of windows for allowing said laser energy to pass therethrough;
an optical enclosure being formed from a combination of said condensing optical elements and said windows;
a multiple-axis scanning mirror positioned to receive a laser beam, said multiple-axis scanning mirror directing said laser beam into one or more predetermined scan patterns; and
a fold mirror with patterned aperture positioned to intercept the laser scan pattern, from said scanning mirror, said fold mirror mirror directing a first portion of said laser scan pattern along a first field of view and a second portion of said laser scan pattern along a second field of view. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A laser scanner for directing laser energy to a plurality of targets in multiple fields of view, and receiving the scattered returns therefrom, comprising:
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a plurality of condensing optical elements for collecting said scattered returns, a plurality of windows for allowing said laser energy to pass therethrough;
an optical enclosure being formed from a combination of said condensing optical elements and said windows;
a multiple-axis scanning mirror located external to said optical enclosure and positioned to receive a laser beam, said multiple-axis scanning mirror directing said laser beam through an aperture into said optical enclosure and forming a laser scan pattern therefrom;
a fold mirror with patterned aperture located within said optical enclosure and positioned to intercept the laser scan pattern, said fold mirror comprising, a transmissive central region passing a first portion of said laser scan pattern therethrough in a direction substantially along a first field of view, and a periphery deflecting a second portion of said laser scan pattern in a direction along a second field of view; and
a plurality of detectors, each detector located proximal to said optical enclosure to convert said scattered returns collected from a respective condensing optical element into electrical signals. The laser scanner of claim 11 further comprising beam expansion optics.
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Specification