Multi-mode searchlight

• US 6,962,423 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 11/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Machi, Nicolo F., Mubaslat, Saed S., Mangum, Scott R., Giffen, Craig E., Hamilton, Scott E., Roudeski, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/231,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20030086251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 362/12, 362/553, 362/554, 362/470, 362/543, 362/544, 362/546, 362/547, 362/548, 362/549, 362/228, 362/231, 362/240, 362/269, 362/373, 362/428, 362/800, 362/230, 362/236, 362/247, 362/241, 362/294, 362/259, 362/8, 372/109
• US Class Current: 362/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2203/00 Aircraft or airfield lights using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/04 the lighting devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A multi-mode visible and infrared lighthead (100) for use as a landing light or searchlight. The multi-mode lighthead incorporates a modular design wherein at least one visible light source (200) and at least one infrared diode (302) are mounted into the rear sector (128) of a housing (102). Visible or infrared light is emitted out of the front sector (122) of the housing (102). Lenses (308) are installed onto the front sector (122) of the housing (102) and sealed to protect the interior of the lighthead (100) from the elements. Alternatively, and in combination, an imaging module (1), and infrared laser (400) and/or a fixed-position searchlight with rangefinder and positioning capability is provided in the multi-mode lighthead(100).

Claims

1. A multi-mode lighthead, comprising:

a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

an attachment point connected with one of said sectors of said housing;

a reflective device, said reflective device being mounted inside said housing and reflecting light from the front sector of said housing;

an imaging module positioned within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing;

at least one high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing;

at least one visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through said reflectors and emits light from the front sector of said housing;

a plurality of openings formed within said rear sector of said housing and extending between said front and rear sectors, wherein said diode and said visible light source extend through said openings and are operatively secured to said housing at said rear sector of said housing; and

at least one lens affixed to the front sector of said housing through which at least one of emitted visible and infrared light passes.

2. The multi-mode lighthead according to claim 1, further comprising at least one heat dissipation device for carrying away heat generated by at least one of said visible light source, said infrared diode and said imaging module.

3. The multi-mode lighthead according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical power source applied to said lighthead; and

an electrical power control circuit for controlling said power source.

4. A multi-mode lighthead, comprising:

a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

an attachment point connected with one of said sectors of said housing;

a reflective device, said reflective device being mounted inside said housing and reflecting light from the front sector of said housing;

an imaging module positioned within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing;

at least one high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing;

at least one visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through said reflectors and emits light from the front sector of said housing;

at least one lens affixed to the front sector of said housing through which at least one of emitted visible and infrared light passes; and

a detachable cover affixed to the rear sector of said lighthead.

5. A multi-mode lighthead, comprising:

a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

an attachment point connected with one of said sectors of said housing;

a reflective device, said reflective device being mounted inside said housing and reflecting light from the front sector of said housing;

an imaging module positioned within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing;

at least one high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing;

at least one visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through said reflectors and emits light from the front sector of said housing;

at least one lens affixed to the front sector of said housing through which at least one of emitted visible and infrared light passes;

a high power infrared laser within the housing; and

a laser aperture opening at the front sector of the housing.

6. The multi-mode lighthead according to claim 5, wherein said high power infrared laser is approximately 50 mW or greater and operates at approximately 780 nm or greater.

7. A multi-mode lighthead, comprising:

a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

an imaging module positioned within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing;

at least one high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing;

at least one visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through said reflectors and emits light from the front sector of said housing; and

a plurality of openings formed within said rear sector of said housing and extending between said front and rear sectors, wherein said diode and said visible light source extend through said openings and are operatively secured to said housing at said rear sector of said housing.

8. A multi-mode lighthead, comprising:

a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

an imaging module positioned within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing;

at least one high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing; and

at least one visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through said reflectors and emits light from the front sector of said housing;

a high power infrared laser within the housing; and

a laser aperture opening at the front sector of the housing.

9. The multi-mode lighthead according to claim 8, wherein said high power infrared laser is approximately 50 mW or greater and operates at approximately 780 nm or greater.

10. A multi-mode lighthead, comprising:

a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

a high power infrared laser within the housing;

a laser aperture opening at the front sector of the housing;

at least one high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing; and

at least one visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source emits light from the front sector of said housing.

11. The multi-mode lighthead according to claim 10, wherein said high power infrared laser is approximately 50 mW or greater and operates at approximately 780 nm or greater.

12. A multi-mode lighthead system, said system comprising:

a lighthead housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

an imaging module positioned within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing;

a display for viewing and retaining the image from said imaging module;

a positioning and control system for positioning and controlling the lighthead housing;

an attachment portion connected with at least one of said sectors of said housing and interfacing with said positioning and control system;

at least one high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing; and

at least one visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through reflectors and emits light from the front sector of said housing; and

a plurality of openings formed within said rear sector of said housing and extending between said front and rear sectors, wherein said diode and said visible light source extend through said openings and are operatively secured to said housing at said rear sector of said housing.

13. The multi-mode lighthead system according to claim 12, further comprising:

a reflective device, said reflective device being mounted inside said housing and reflecting light from the front sector of said housing; and

at least one lens affixed to the front sector of said housing through which at least one of emitted visible and infrared light passes.

14. A multi-mode lighthead system, said system comprising

a lighthead housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

a positioning and control system for positioning and controlling the lighthead housing;

an attachment portion connected with at least one of said sectors of said housing and interfacing with said positioning and control system;

a high power infrared laser;

a laser aperture opening at the front sector of the housing;

at least one high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing; and

at least one visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through said reflectors and emits light from the front sector of said housing.

15. The multi-mode lighthead system according to claim 14, further comprising:

an imaging module positioned within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing; and

a display for viewing and retaining the image from said imaging module.

16. The multi-mode lighthead system according to claim 14, further comprising:

an insulated infrared laser housing; and

an optical slip ring assembly, said optical slip ring assembly including fiber optics, a lens device, a stationary portion and a rotating portion, wherein said infrared laser is positioned exterior to said housing of said lighthead.

17. The multi-mode lighthead system according to claim 14, wherein said infrared laser is positioned within said housing, is approximately 50 mW or greater, and operates at approximately 780 nm or greater.

18. A multi-mode lighthead system, said system comprising:

a lighthead housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

a positioning and control system operatively connected to said lighthead housing for positioning and controlling the lighthead housing;

an attachment portion connected with at least one of said sectors of said housing and interfacing with said positioning and control system;

at least one of a high intensity infrared diode, said diode being installed into said housing from the rear sector of said housing and positioned to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing, a visible light source, said visible light source being installed within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source emits light from the front sector of said housing, a high power infrared laser having a laser aperture opening at the front sector of the housing and operating at approximately 780 nm or greater, and an imaging module within said front sector of the housing for capturing an image; and

a searchlight controller operatively connected to said positioning and control system for controlling an acquisition and fixed-position tracking of a target, said searchlight controller including absolute position sensing capability and a rangefinder accepting position data from a (GPS) Global Positioning System for tracking an absolute location of the target.

19. The multi-mode system according to claim 18, further comprising:

a first power driver circuit motor;

a right/left motor,

a second power driver circuit motor;

an extend/retract motor;

a first and second gear assembly, respectively; and

an output shaft for controlling the absolute position sensing of the searchlight via the searchlight controller.

20. The multi-mode system according to claim 18, further comprising an active feedback control for the lighthead in accordance with the position data to maintain the lighthead passing through a fixed, three-dimensional target in space.

21. A process for providing a multi-mode lighthead, comprising:

providing a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

providing an imaging module within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing;

providing at least one high intensity infrared diode into said housing from the rear sector of said housing to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing, wherein said at least one high intensity infrared diode is inserted into the housing from the rear sector of the housing and through an opening formed in the rear sector of the housing;

providing at least one visible light source within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through said reflectors and visible light is emitted from the front sector of said housing, wherein said at least one visible light source is inserted into the housing from the rear sector of the housing and through an opening formed in the rear sector of the housing; and

providing a positioning and control system for said lighthead, said positioning and control system controlling a position of said housing.

22. The process according to claim 21, further comprising:

locating inside said housing a reflective device for reflecting light from the front sector of said housing;

providing at least one lens at the front sector of said housing through which one of emitted visible and infrared light passes.

23. The process according to claim 21, further comprising:

providing a heat dissipation device for carrying away heat generated by at least one of said visible light source, said infrared diode, and said imaging module; and

providing an electrical power control circuit for controlling an electrical power source applied to said lighthead.

24. A process for providing a multi-mode lighthead, comprising:

providing a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom sectors;

providing an advanced navigational and visual aid, wherein said advanced navigational and visual aid is at least one of an imaging module within said housing to capture an image from said front sector of the housing and a high power infrared laser operating at approximately 780 nm or greater;

providing at least one high intensity infrared diode into said housing from the rear sector of said housing to emit infrared light from the front sector of said housing, wherein said at least one high intensity infrared diode is inserted into the housing from the rear sector of the housing and through an opening formed in the rear sector of the housing;

providing at least one visible light source within said housing from the rear sector of said housing such that said visible light source projects through said reflectors and visible light is emitted from the front sector of said housing, wherein said at least one visible light source is inserted into the housing from the rear sector of the housing and through an opening formed in the rear sector of the housing; and

providing a positioning and control system for said lighthead, said positioning and control system controlling a position of said housing.