Patent US3781546A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3781546A
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Self aligning beam waveguide having a series of lenses and means for maintaining said lenses in alignment
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1968-10-29
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1988-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A self-aligning beam waveguide having a series of guiding elements spaced along a path extending between an electromagnetic beam transmitter and receiver. Associated with each of the guiding elements are radiation detectors for detecting the relative displacement between the beam center and the aperture center of the associated element. A control circuit is connected between a detector located at one element and a realigning motor located at the immediately preceding element. The control circuit energizes the motor to cause the associated element to deflect the beam in such a direction as to reduce the amount of displacement between the beam center and the aperture center of the element associated with the detector. A cycling circuit energizes the control circuits one at a time and in succession.
Inventors
- 👤 J Christian
- 👤 G Goubau
- 👤 J Mink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/25; H04B10/2507
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An electromagnetic beam waveguide comprising; a plurality of waveguide elements mounted in spaced relationship over a path; each of said elements including: a variable guiding means for directing a beam of electromagnetic energy from one of said elements to the next succeeding element, an alignment means for varying said guiding means, a sensor means for detecting the relative displacement between the center of said beam and the aperture center of said guiding means, and cyclically energizable control means connected to said sensor means and including output terminal means for providing an output signal proportional to the direction of said relative displacement; means connecting said output terminal means to the alignment means of the immediately preceding waveguide element for causing said alignment means to vary said guiding means to reduce said relative displacement; and means for energizing said control means of each of said elements one at a time and in succession.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electromagnetic beam waveguide comprising; a plurality of waveguide elements mounted in spaced relationship over a path; each of said elements including: a variable guiding means for directing a beam of electromagnetic energy from one of said elements to the next succeeding element, an alignment means for varying said guiding means, a sensor means for detecting the relative displacement between the center of said beam and the aperture center of said guiding means, and cyclically energizable control means connected to said sensor means and including output terminal means for providing an output signal proportional to the direction of said relative displacement; means connecting said output terminal means to the alignment means of the immediately preceding waveguide element for causing said alignment means to vary said guiding means to reduce said relative displacement; and means for energizing said control means of each of said elements one at a time and in succession.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 1 and wherein said variable guiding means includes means for varying the cross-sectional phase distribution of said beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 1 and wherein said alignment means iNcludes means for moving said guiding means relative to said beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 3 and wherein said guiding means is a lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 1 and wherein said variable guiding means includes an axial deviation means for deflecting said beam through an angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 5 and wherein said axial deviation means is variable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 6 and wherein said guiding means includes means for varying the cross-sectional phase distribution of said beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 1 and wherein each said sensor means includes radiation detector means for selectively intercepting a portion of said beam and for generating a signal which is a function of the direction of said relative displacement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 8 and wherein said detector means includes means for intercepting said beam in four locations oriented about said beam in space quadrature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The beam waveguide according to claim 8 and wherein said detector means includes four radiation detectors spaced in quadrature about the aperture of said guiding means; each said detector mounted on means connected to said control means for moving said detectors in front of said aperture, upon energization by said control means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
183 words
An optical guiding apparatus of the type comprising a conduit through which a beam of optical radiation is to be transmitted, a plurality of means disposed within said conduit for repositioning said beam within said conduit in response to respective actuation signals, a plurality of means disposed in said conduit for sensing transverse position errors of said beam at a plurality of axial locations in said conduit, and means for coupling each of said sensing means to one of said repositioning means to coordinate the repositioning of said beam; including a source of periodic pulses, pulse transmission line means paralleling said conduit and supplied with said pulses, means for transmitting signals from each sensing means, and a plurality of means each coupled respectively to said transmission line means at one of a set of spaced points and to one of said signal transmitting means for applying said actuation signals to each of said repositioning means upon the simultaneous occurrence of a signal from the coupled sensing means and the presence of a pulse at the respective point in said pulse transmission line means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
183 words
An optical guiding apparatus of the type comprising a conduit through which a beam of optical radiation is to be transmitted, a plurality of means disposed within said conduit for repositioning said beam within said conduit in response to respective actuation signals, a plurality of means disposed in said conduit for sensing transverse position errors of said beam at a plurality of axial locations in said conduit, and means for coupling each of said sensing means to one of said repositioning means to coordinate the repositioning of said beam; including a source of periodic pulses, pulse transmission line means paralleling said conduit and supplied with said pulses, means for transmitting signals from each sensing means, and a plurality of means each coupled respectively to said transmission line means at one of a set of spaced points and to one of said signal transmitting means for applying said actuation signals to each of said repositioning means upon the simultaneous occurrence of a signal from the coupled sensing means and the presence of a pulse at the respective point in said pulse transmission line means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical guiding apparatus according to claim 11 in which the repositioning means are adapted to move in discrete steps in response to the signals from said sensing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |