LIGHT SENSOR PROTECTION AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A LIGHT SENSOR

• US 20070257187A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Government of the United States of America
• Original Assignee: Government of the United States of America
• Inventors: Sonstroem, Jaime
• Granted Patent: US 7,485,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/239
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0411 using focussing or collimating elements, i.e. lenses or mirrors; Aberration correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0418 using attenuators
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/0285 against laser damage

Abstract

A light sensor protection system and method protects a light sensor system from a laser threat. The light sensor system has a sensor housing which contains optical elements disposed within the sensor housing and at a first end of the housing to converge light rays entering the housing at a focal plane. A focal plane array is disposed within the sensor housing substantially coincident with the focal plane. A means for protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat is disposed within the housing remote from the optical elements, the light rays, and the focal plane array. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a light sensor system as described above; and (b) protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat in the presence of a laser threat or upon a warning thereof with the means for protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat.

Claims

1. A light sensor system comprising:

a sensor housing which contains optical elements disposed within the sensor housing and disposed at a first end of the housing to converge light rays entering the housing at a focal plane;

a focal plane array disposed substantially coincident with the focal plane; and

means disposed within the housing remote from the optical elements, the light rays, and the focal plane array for protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat.

2. The light sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the protecting means comprises a container filled with a laser radiation attenuating gas.

3. The light sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the container is formed from a breachable material;

and

a means for breaching the container is provided.

4. The light sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the protecting means comprises a readily replaceable container formed from a breachable material and filled with a laser radiation attenuating gas.

5. The light sensor system according to claim 3, wherein the means for breaching the container comprises an implement for exerting a large amount of force over a small area.

6. The light sensor system according to claim 3, wherein the means for breaching the container comprises a piercing implement.

7. The light sensor system according to claim 3, wherein the means for breaching the container comprises a cutting implement.

8. The light sensor system according to claim 3 wherein the means for breaching the container comprises a crushing implement.

9. The light sensor system according to claim 2, wherein a port is provided in a wall of the housing and the container is positioned proximate the port.

10. The light sensor system according to claim 9, wherein the port includes a means for providing a fluid impervious seal.

11. The light sensor system according to claim 3, wherein a port is provided in a wall of the housing, the means for breaching the container is disposed externally of the housing and proximate the port and the container is positioned proximate the port.

12. The light sensor system according to claim 11, wherein the means for breaching the container is adapted to pass through the port to contact the container.

13. The light sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the container is a replaceable capsule.

14. The light sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the container is a replaceable balloon.

15. The light sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the laser radiation attenuating gas is in a compressed liquid state which converts to a gaseous state when the container is breached.

16. In a light sensor system having a sensor housing which contains optical elements disposed within the sensor housing and disposed at a first end of the housing to converge light rays entering the housing at a focal plane and a focal plane array disposed substantially coincident with the focal plane,

means disposed within the housing remote from the optical elements, the light rays, and the focal plane array for protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat, the means for protecting the light sensor system comprising a readily replaceable container formed from a breachable material and filled with a laser radiation attenuating gas;

the housing having a port with a fluid impervious seal located in a wall thereof proximate the container;

a means for breaching the container disposed externally of the housing and proximate the port and adapted to pass through the port to contact the container.

17. A method of protecting a light sensor system from a laser threat comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a light sensor system having;

a sensor housing;

optical elements disposed within the sensor housing and at a first end of the housing, the optical elements converging light rays entering the housing at a focal plane;

a focal plane array disposed substantially coincident with the focal plane; and

means disposed within the housing remote from the optical elements, the light rays, and the focal plane array, for protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat; and

(b) protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat in the presence of a laser threat or upon a warning thereof with the means for protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat.

18. The method of protecting a light sensor system from a laser threat according to claim 17, wherein the means for protecting the light sensor system comprises a readily replaceable container formed from a breachable material that is filled with a laser radiation attenuating gas and is adapted to be breached in the presence of a laser threat or upon a warning thereof.

19. The method of protecting a light sensor system from a laser threat according to claim 18, wherein the means for protecting the light sensor system further includes a means for breaching the container that is actuated to breach the container in the presence of a laser threat or upon a warning thereof.

20. The method of protecting a light sensor system from a laser threat according to claim 19, wherein a port with a fluid impervious seal is located in a wall of the housing proximate the container;

the means for breaching the container is disposed externally of the housing and proximate the port and is adapted to pass through the port to contact the container in the presence of a laser threat or upon a warning thereof.