Target illuminators and systems employing same

• US 5,056,097 A
• Filed: 10/01/1990
• Issued: 10/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brad E. Meyers
• Original Assignee: Brad E. Meyers
• Inventors: Meyers, Brad E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, Jr., Leon
• Application Number:
  US07/597,803
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 378/38, 378/109, 362/183, 362/259, 362/295, 250/504 B, 250/492.1, 250/493.1, 250/504 H
• US Class Current: 372/29.014
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/005 Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping H01S5/026, H01S5/18388 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/02 Structural details or components not essential to laser action
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/024 Arrangements for thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0427 for applying modulation to the laser
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0683 by monitoring the optical output parameters

Abstract

Devices for illuminating a target with a beam of coherent energy. The device has a number of applications. In one, it is employed with a night vision system to make available additional energy which can be utilized by an image intensifier in the night vision system in prodcing a visual image of a target acquired by the night vision system.

Claims

1. The combination of a hand holdable night vision system comprising an image intensifier, a detachable grip for supporting said image intensifier, a device for illuminating a target acquired by the night vision system and thereby making available additional energy usable by the image intensifier of the night vision system to produce a visual image, and means for mounting the target illuminating device on the image intensifier, said target illuminating device comprising a casing;

a diode-type laser for generating a beam of coherent energy, said laser being housed in said casing;

an optical lens in said casing on the output side of said laser for projecting the beam of coherent energy; and

means in said casing for operating said laser, said detachable grip including an operator activatable switch, and said combination further including connector means extending between and so electrically connecting said switch to the operating means of the target illuminating device that the laser in that device cannot be turned on unless the switch is closed.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the laser of the target illuminating device has a standby mode and said operating means includes means for causing a threshold current to flow through the laser when said laser is in the standby mode, thereby keeping, the laser from operating erratically when it is subsequently turned on.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2 in which the operating means of the target illuminating device includes an electrical power source, a first circuit means for connecting said power source to the laser of the target illuminating device, a second circuit means with higher resistance connectable between said power source and said laser in parallel with said first circuit means, and an electronic switching circuit which connects said power source to said laser via said first circuit means when said laser is turned on and connects said power source to said laser via said second circuit means when the laser is in the standby mode.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the laser target illuminating device includes means for adjusting the intensity of the illumination it provides by optically controlling the area illuminated by the radiant energy outputted from the laser of that device.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1 which comprises mean for regulating the intensity of the radiant energy outputted from the laser of the target illuminating device, said intensity regulating means including an electrical power supply, first circuit means for converting the output of said power supply to a series of pulses with a selected waveform, and second circuit means for adjusting that part of the first circuit means duty cycle in which electrical energy can flow at an operating level to said laser.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5 in which the target illuminating device includes operator manipulatable means for adjusting that part of the first circuit means duty cycle in which current can flow at the operating level to the laser.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the target illuminating device has a rechargeable, internal, electrical power source in the casing of that device.

8. A combination as defined in claim 7 in which the target illuminating device has means accessible from the exterior of the casing of that device for connecting the device to an external electrical power source in order to operate the laser of the device and to charge its internal power source.

9. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the target illuminating device has means for turning said device on and off and means for providing an operator accessible signal while said device is turned on.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the target illuminating device includes circuit means for connecting the laser of said device to an electrical power source and an electrical interlock which must be installed before the connection between the power source and the laser can be completed.