Laser beam steering device

Claim 1

A laser beam steering mechanism for azimuth and elevation direction control of an incident laser beam comprising: an inner shaft with an aperture the length of its axis, said axis aligned with said incident laser beam to permit direct passage of said incident laser beam; an outer shaft concentrically mounted around said inner shaft for providing a dual rotational axis around said incident laser beam; a pivoted mirror rigidly attached to said inner shaft for deflecting said incident laser beam after it has passed through said inner shaft aperture, said mirror reflecting said beam in a given azimuthal direction determined by the rotation of said inner shaft; means for determining the orientation of said inner shaft; means for monitoring the orientation of said outer shaft; a cam attached to said outer shaft for changing the elevation of said mirror; a cam follower connected to said mirror and set to the azimuthal position of said inner shaft for following said cam; a torque motor set against said outer shaft for rotating said inner shaft; a clutch assembly mounted to said outer shaft for coupling said inner shaft to the motion of said outer shaft at selected times, said inner and outer shaft either can be turned together or only said outer shaft turns; and a dome with at least one window mounted to said inner shaft for transmitting said reflected laser beam despite rotation of said inner shaft.