公开(公告)号：US08179594B1

公开(公告)日：2012-05-15

申请号：US12165651

申请日：2008-06-30

Applicant: Steven C. Tidwell ,  Thomas H. Loftus ,  Charles A. Lemaire

Inventor： Steven C. Tidwell ,  Thomas H. Loftus ,  Charles A. Lemaire

IPC: H01S4/00 ,  H04B10/17

CPC classification number: H04B10/2513 ,  H01S3/005 ,  H01S3/2391

Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining of light from a plurality of high-power lasers (e.g., fiber MOPA lasers) that, in some embodiments, use substantially identical diffraction gratings in a 1-D non-parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine non-parallel converging input beams in one plane each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, an output grating and one or more input gratings in a 1-D parallel, mutually compensating configuration combine non-parallel input beams in one plane into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a 2-D plurality of input gratings in a non-parallel configuration combine a plurality of non-parallel input beams not in one plane each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a set of converging beams in one plane directed towards an output grating that compensates for chromatic dispersions introduced by the input gratings.

Abstract translation: 在多个高功率激光器（例如，光纤MOPA激光器）中对光进行光束组合的装置和方法，在一些实施例中，使用基本上相同的1-D非平行相互补偿配置的衍射光栅来组合 一个平面中的非平行会聚输入光束，其具有稍微不同的连续更高波长的高质量的单个输出光束。 在其他实施例中，输出光栅和1-D并行的相互补偿配置中的一个或多个输入光栅将一个平面中的非平行输入光束组合成高质量的单个输出光束。 在其他实施例中，非并联配置的2-D个多个输入光栅将不是在一个平面中的多个不平行的输入光束组合成每一个具有稍微不同的连续更高波长的一个平面， 输出光栅，用于补偿由输入光栅引入的色散。

公开(公告)号：US09031414B1

公开(公告)日：2015-05-12

申请号：US12228277

申请日：2008-05-14

Applicant: Steven C. Tidwell

Inventor： Steven C. Tidwell

IPC: H04B10/00 ,  H04B10/25

CPC classification number: G01S7/495 ,  F41H11/02 ,  F41H13/0056 ,  F42B5/15 ,  F42B12/46 ,  H04B10/25

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that each of which is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, the optical signal includes at least two different infrared wavelengths that are varied differently with time.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本发明提供一种装置和过程，其包括产生电子控制信号的控制电子装置; 以及多个光学或电泵浦的半导体激光器，量子级联激光器，光参量发生器或光参量振荡器，其可操作地耦合到控制电子器件，其输出具有多个波长的光信号，每个波长的输出强度为 其中的每一个随着时间而变化以模拟武器的燃烧特征。 在一些实施例中，光信号包括随时间不同变化的至少两种不同的红外波长。

公开(公告)号：US07760976B1

公开(公告)日：2010-07-20

申请号：US11637398

申请日：2006-11-29

Applicant: Steven C. Tidwell

Inventor： Steven C. Tidwell

IPC: G02B6/06

CPC classification number: G02B6/06 ,  G01S7/4814 ,  G01S7/4816 ,  G02B6/32 ,  G02B27/20

Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing a laser beam at an object. Some embodiments include generating direction-control information, based on the direction-control information, directing laser energy into a first fiber at a first end of a first fiber bundle during a first time period, forming an output beam of the laser energy from the second end of the first fiber bundle, and steering the output beam of the laser energy from the first fiber in a first selected direction of a plurality of directions during the first time period, and optionally modulating an intensity of the laser energy according to a predetermined pattern. The direction-control information is based on sensing electromagnetic radiation from a scene. Some embodiments use a remote camera wire-connected to the image processor to obtain scene information, while other embodiments use a second fiber bundle to convey image information from an external remote lens to a local camera.

Abstract translation: 用于将激光束引导到物体的装置和方法。 一些实施例包括基于方向控制信息产生方向控制信息，在第一时间段期间将激光能量引导到第一光纤束的第一端处的第一光纤中，从第二时间段形成激光能量的输出光束 第一光纤束的端部，并且在第一时间段期间沿着多个方向的第一选定方向从第一光纤转向激光能量的输出光束，并且可选地根据预定图案调制激光能量的强度 。 方向控制信息基于感测来自场景的电磁辐射。 一些实施例使用有线连接到图像处理器的远程摄像机来获得场景信息，而其他实施例使用第二光纤束将图像信息从外部远程镜头传送到本地摄像机。

公开(公告)号：US07671337B1

公开(公告)日：2010-03-02

申请号：US11637401

申请日：2006-11-29

Applicant: Steven C. Tidwell

Inventor： Steven C. Tidwell

IPC: G01J5/04

CPC classification number: G01J1/4228 ,  F41G7/224 ,  F41H11/02 ,  F41H13/005 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/0425 ,  G01S7/495 ,  G06F3/0304 ,  G06F3/0346 ,  G06F3/0386

Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing a laser beam at an object. Some embodiments include generating direction-control information, based on the direction-control information, directing laser energy into a first fiber at a first end of a first fiber bundle during a first time period, forming an output beam of the laser energy from the second end of the first fiber bundle, and steering the output beam of the laser energy from the first fiber in a first selected direction of a plurality of directions during the first time period, and optionally modulating an intensity of the laser energy according to a predetermined pattern. The direction-control information is based on sensing electromagnetic radiation from a scene. Some embodiments use a remote camera wire-connected to the image processor to obtain scene information, while other embodiments use a second fiber bundle to convey image information from an external remote lens to a local camera.

Abstract translation: 用于将激光束引导到物体的装置和方法。 一些实施例包括基于方向控制信息产生方向控制信息，在第一时间段期间将激光能量引导到第一光纤束的第一端处的第一光纤中，从第二时间段形成激光能量的输出光束 第一光纤束的端部，并且在第一时间段期间沿着多个方向的第一选定方向从第一光纤转向激光能量的输出光束，并且可选地根据预定图案调制激光能量的强度 。 方向控制信息基于感测来自场景的电磁辐射。 一些实施例使用有线连接到图像处理器的远程摄像机来获得场景信息，而其他实施例使用第二光纤束将图像信息从外部远程镜头传送到本地摄像机。

公开(公告)号：US08082832B1

公开(公告)日：2011-12-27

申请号：US12228278

申请日：2008-05-14

Applicant: Steven C. Tidwell ,  Charles A. Lemaire

Inventor： Steven C. Tidwell ,  Charles A. Lemaire

IPC: F41J2/02

CPC classification number: G01S7/495 ,  F41H11/02 ,  F41H13/0056 ,  F42B5/15 ,  F42B12/46 ,  H04B10/25

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus and process that includes control electronics that generate an electronic control signal; and a plurality of optically or electrically pumped semiconductor lasers, quantum-cascade lasers, optical parametric generators, or optical parametric oscillators, operatively coupled to the control electronics, that output an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths, each wavelength having an output intensity that is varied over time to simulate a combustion signature of a weapon. In some embodiments, at least two different infrared wavelengths are varied differently with time. Some embodiment are implemented as part of, for example, a anti-aircraft defense system, wherein incoming aircraft need to be disabled, and the present invention provides a way of distracting, exhausting, confusing, overwhelming, or bypassing the hostile aircraft's anti-missile defenses so that, e.g., a naval vessel's anti-aircraft defensive missiles can be launched effectively to shoot down or disable the hostile aircraft.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，本发明提供一种装置和过程，其包括产生电子控制信号的控制电子装置; 以及多个光学或电泵浦的半导体激光器，量子级联激光器，光参量发生器或光参量振荡器，其可操作地耦合到控制电子器件，其输出具有多个波长的光信号，每个波长的输出强度为 随着时间的推移而变化，以模拟武器的燃烧特征。 在一些实施例中，至少两个不同的红外波长随时间不同地变化。 一些实施例被实现为例如防空系统的一部分，其中进入的飞机需要被禁用，并且本发明提供了一种分散注意力，耗尽，混淆，压倒或绕过敌对飞机的反导弹的方式 这样就可以有效地发射一艘海军舰艇的防空导弹，以打击或禁用敌对的飞机。

公开(公告)号：US07429734B1

公开(公告)日：2008-09-30

申请号：US11637400

申请日：2006-11-29

Applicant: Steven C. Tidwell

Inventor： Steven C. Tidwell

IPC: G01J5/00

CPC classification number: F41H11/02 ,  G01S3/784 ,  G01S3/7864 ,  G01S7/495 ,  G02B6/06

Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing a laser beam at an object. Some embodiments include generating direction-control information, based on the direction-control information, directing laser energy into a first fiber at a first end of a first fiber bundle during a first time period, forming an output beam of the laser energy from the second end of the first fiber bundle, and steering the output beam of the laser energy from the first fiber in a first selected direction of a plurality of directions during the first time period, and optionally modulating an intensity of the laser energy according to a predetermined pattern. The direction-control information is based on sensing electromagnetic radiation from a scene. Some embodiments use a remote camera wire-connected to the image processor to obtain scene information, while other embodiments use a second fiber bundle to convey image information from an external remote lens to a local camera.

公开(公告)号：US07446315B1

公开(公告)日：2008-11-04

申请号：US11637399

申请日：2006-11-29

Applicant: Steven C. Tidwell

Inventor： Steven C. Tidwell

IPC: G01J5/00

CPC classification number: G01J1/4228 ,  F41G7/224 ,  F41H11/02 ,  F41H13/005 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/0425 ,  G01S7/495 ,  G06F3/0304 ,  G06F3/0346 ,  G06F3/0386

Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing a laser beam at an object. Some embodiments include generating direction-control information, based on the direction-control information, directing laser energy into a first fiber at a first end of a first fiber bundle during a first time period, forming an output beam of the laser energy from the second end of the first fiber bundle, and steering the output beam of the laser energy from the first fiber in a first selected direction of a plurality of directions during the first time period, and optionally modulating an intensity of the laser energy according to a predetermined pattern. The direction-control information is based on sensing electromagnetic radiation from a scene. Some embodiments use a remote camera wire-connected to the image processor to obtain scene information, while other embodiments use a second fiber bundle to convey image information from an external remote lens to a local camera.

Abstract translation: 用于将激光束引导到物体的装置和方法。 一些实施例包括基于方向控制信息产生方向控制信息，在第一时间段期间将激光能量引导到第一光纤束的第一端处的第一光纤中，从第二时间段形成激光能量的输出光束 第一光纤束的端部，并且在第一时间段期间沿着多个方向的第一选定方向从第一光纤转向激光能量的输出光束，并且可选地根据预定图案调制激光能量的强度 。 方向控制信息基于感测来自场景的电磁辐射。 一些实施例使用有线连接到图像处理器的远程摄像机来获得场景信息，而其他实施例使用第二光纤束将图像信息从外部远程镜头传送到本地摄像机。