Patent US4571076A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4571076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Blooming auto collimator
Assignee: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1983-07-08
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Granted: 1986-02-18
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Expires: 2003-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A blooming auto collimator is disclosed for aligning optical components or optical beams along a reciprocal optical path. A blooming cell is positioned along the reciprocal optical path intermediate first and second spaced-apart locations to be aligned. A comparatively high-power laser source is positioned at one of the locations, and is operative to provide a comparatively high-energy beam of coherent light along the optical path through the blooming medium and toward the other location. A comparatively low-energy source of coherent light is positioned at the other location, and is operative to provide a comparatively low-energy beam of coherent light through the blooming medium and back along the reciprocal optical path. The comparatively high-energy beam thermally excites the blooming medium, producing therealong a thermal gradient having the characteristics of a negative optical lens. In the case of colinear alignment of the high and low-energy beams, the low-energy beam is symmetrically diverged by the negative lens. In the case of relative colinear misalignment of the high and low-energy beams, the low-energy beam is asymmetrically diverged by the negative lens by a large number multiple of the actual relative colinear misalignment. A sensor responsive to the low-energy beam is operative to provide an extremely sensitive signal indication of relative colinear alignment. The comparatively low-energy beam may be provided as a reflection of the high-energy beam. The blooming medium may be any suitable fluid in either liquid or gas phase. The comparatively high-energy beam of coherent light is preferably focussed at a point along the axis of the blooming cell. Means are provided at the second location for absorbing the comparatively high-energy beam.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A blooming auto collimator for providing an extremely sensitive signal indication of the degree of colinear misalignment of a comparatively high and a comparatively low-energy optical beam that each traverse a common, but reciprocal, optical path, comprising: a housing defining a chamber positioned along the common optical path; a blooming medium disposed in the chamber; and means operative in response to the comparatively low-energy beam to provide an extremely sensitive indication of the degree of coliner alignment of the comparatively low and the comparatively high-energy optical beams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A blooming auto collimator for providing an extremely sensitive signal indication of the degree of colinear misalignment of a comparatively high and a comparatively low-energy optical beam that each traverse a common, but reciprocal, optical path, comprising: a housing defining a chamber positioned along the common optical path; a blooming medium disposed in the chamber; and means operative in response to the comparatively low-energy beam to provide an extremely sensitive indication of the degree of coliner alignment of the comparatively low and the comparatively high-energy optical beams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said blooming medium is a fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said fluid is a gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said fluid is a liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein said liquid includes water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said comparatively high and comparatively low-energy optical beams are coherent laser beams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein said comparatively high-energy coherent laser beam is focussed at a point within the blooming medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein said comparatively low-energy beam is provided by a source of comparatively low-energy laser light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein said comparatively low-energy beam is provided as a reflection of said comparatively high-energy beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A blooming auto collimator, comprising: a first laser source for directing a beam of comparatively high-energy coherent light along an optical path; a second laser source for directing a comparatively low-energy beam of coherent light reciprocally back along said optical path; a misalignment amplifier having a blooming medium positioned along said optical path; and means operative in response to said comparatively low-energy coherent light beam for providing an extremely sensitive signal indication of the relative coaxial alignment of said comparatively high and said comparatively low-energy coherent light beams along said reciprocal optical path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
A blooming auto collimator, comprising: a first laser source for directing a beam of comparatively high-energy coherent light along an optical path; a second laser source for directing a comparatively low-energy beam of coherent light reciprocally back along said optical path; a misalignment amplifier having a blooming medium positioned along said optical path; and means operative in response to said comparatively low-energy coherent light beam for providing an extremely sensitive signal indication of the relative coaxial alignment of said comparatively high and said comparatively low-energy coherent light beams along said reciprocal optical path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 10, wherein said misalignment amplifier includes a housing defining a chamber, wherein said blooming medium is disposed in said chamber, and wherein said blooming medium is a fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 11, wherein said blooming medium is a gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 11, wherein said blooming medium is a liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 13, wherein said liquid includes water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 10, wherein said source of comparatively high-energy laser light is focussed at a point within the blooming medium along the long axis of the misalignment amplifier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 10, wherein at least one of said comparatively high and comparatively low-energy coherent light beams are continuously operated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 10, wherein at least one of said comparatively high and said comparatively low-energy coherent light beams are pulsed in operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
A blooming auto collimator, comprising: first means at a first location for providing a comparatively high-energy beam of coherent light along an optical path; second means at a spaced-apart second location for providing a beam of comparatively low-energy coherent light reciprocally back along the optical path and toward the first location; and third means, positioned along the common and reciprocal optical path and operative in response to said comparatively high-energy beam of coherent light, for providing a negative lens, said negative lens operative to amplify by a large number multiple the actual relative colinear misalignment of the high and the low-power beams along the reciprocal optical path and.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
A blooming auto collimator, comprising: first means at a first location for providing a comparatively high-energy beam of coherent light along an optical path; second means at a spaced-apart second location for providing a beam of comparatively low-energy coherent light reciprocally back along the optical path and toward the first location; and third means, positioned along the common and reciprocal optical path and operative in response to said comparatively high-energy beam of coherent light, for providing a negative lens, said negative lens operative to amplify by a large number multiple the actual relative colinear misalignment of the high and the low-power beams along the reciprocal optical path and.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 17, wherein said third means includes a blooming cell.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 17, further including a sensor positioned at said first location and operative in response to said comparatively low-energy beam to provide an extremely sensitive signal indication of the degree of relative misalignment of said comparatively high and low-energy beams.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-17 | 1989-08-19 | 1990-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-17 | 1993-08-19 | 1994-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-17 | 1997-08-19 | 1998-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |