US4580270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-energy laser system having gyroscopically stabilized optical elements
Assignee: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1983-07-08
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Granted: 1986-04-01
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Expires: 2003-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A high-energy laser system having gyroscopically stabilized optical elements includes an unstable confocal laser resonator having first and second spinning cavity feedback mirrors that resist mechanical wave energy induced spatial dislocations by gyroscopic inertia. One or both of the spinning cavity mirrors are preferably mounted for rotation with the rotor of a gyroscope. The gyroscope is operative as an actuator for selectively tilting the spinning mirror, and as a direction indicator for controlling the pointing direction of other elements with respect to inertial space. The angular rotation of the cavity feedback mirrors generates aerodynamic flows that cool the spinning mirrors by convective heat transport. Every material particle thereof describes an annular path once per revolution that prevents hot-spot formation and extends the useful lifetime.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Johnson
- 👤 Marc S. Weinberg
- 👤 Raymond Carroll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A vibrationally isolated optical system vibrationally isolated against externally arising and unbalanced mechanical wave energy, comprising: a laser resonator having an active medium and having a first cavity feedback mirror defining a pointing direction subject to spatial dislocation induced by said externally arising and unbalanced mechanical wave energy; means for lazing the active medium, and means coupled to said first cavity feedback mirror for angularly rotating said first cavity feedback mirror about an axis of rotation defining a gyroscopic axis of a stability and having a spin vector that are both colinear with said pointing direction such that said spatial dislocation of said pointing direction is neutralized and resisted by action of gyroscopic inertia that tends to maintain said pointing direction and spin vector coincident with said gyroscopic axis of stability and unaltered with respect to inertial space notwithstanding said externally arising and unbalanced mechanical wave energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A vibrationally isolated optical system vibrationally isolated against externally arising and unbalanced mechanical wave energy, comprising: a laser resonator having an active medium and having a first cavity feedback mirror defining a pointing direction subject to spatial dislocation induced by said externally arising and unbalanced mechanical wave energy; means for lazing the active medium, and means coupled to said first cavity feedback mirror for angularly rotating said first cavity feedback mirror about an axis of rotation defining a gyroscopic axis of a stability and having a spin vector that are both colinear with said pointing direction such that said spatial dislocation of said pointing direction is neutralized and resisted by action of gyroscopic inertia that tends to maintain said pointing direction and spin vector coincident with said gyroscopic axis of stability and unaltered with respect to inertial space notwithstanding said externally arising and unbalanced mechanical wave energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said laser resonator is a confocal unstable laser resonator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said angular rotation providing means includes a motor coupled to said first cavity feedback mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 3, further including a rotor, wherein said rotor is coupled to said motor, and wherein said first cavity feedback mirror is fastened to said rotor for rotation therewith, with the normal to its reflective surface colinear with the axis of revolution of said rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 4, further including a flexible hinge coupled between said rotor and said motor, said flexible hinge having two degrees of rotational freedom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein said flexible hinge includes a tuned Hooke's joint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 4, further including means coupled to said rotor for sensing the direction of said spin vector with respect to inertial space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 7, wherein said direction sensing means includes transducer coils mounted to a stator housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 4, further including means coupled to said rotor for controlling the orientation of said spin vector with respect to inertial space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 9, wherein said orientation controlling means includes actuator coils mounted to a stator housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention of claim 1, said laser resonator includes a second cavity feedback mirror, and further including means coupled to said second cavity feedback mirror for angularly rotating said second cavity feedback mirror producing a spin vector colinear with a gyroscopic axis of stability that resists any unbalanced mechanical wave energy induced angular impulses and maintains the direction of spin vector coincident with the gyroscopic axis of stability and unaltered with respect to inertial space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a method for vibrationally isolating the optical elements of an optical system against undesirable mechanical wave energy induced spatial dislocation the steps of: mounting an optical element of the optical system to the rotor of a gyroscope having electrical actuator coils for controllably moving the rotor with respect to inertial space and electrical transducer coils for sensing the orientation of the rotor with respect to inertial space in such a way that the normal to the optical element is colinear with the axis of rotation of the rotor; and controllably electrically energized the actuator coils of the rotor to selectively orient the optical element mounted thereto with respect to inertial space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a method for vibrationally isolating the optical elements of an optical system against undesirable mechanical wave energy induced spatial dislocation the steps of: mounting an optical element of the optical system to the rotor of a gyroscope having electrical actuator coils for controllably moving the rotor with respect to inertial space and electrical transducer coils for sensing the orientation of the rotor with respect to inertial space in such a way that the normal to the optical element is colinear with the axis of rotation of the rotor; and controllably electrically energized the actuator coils of the rotor to selectively orient the optical element mounted thereto with respect to inertial space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
The invention of claim 12, further including the step of rotating the rotor about the axis of rotation defining a gyroscopic axis of stability colinear with the normal to the optical element for vibrationally isolating the optical element fastened thereto against mechanical wave energy induced spatial locations by action of the phenomenon of gyroscopic inertia that tends to maintain the normal to the optical element colinear with the axis of rotation of the rotor and colinear with the gyroscopic axis of stability and unaltered with respect to inertial space notwithstanding said mechanical wave energy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 13, further including the step of sensing the degree of electrical energization in the transducer coils to detect the orientation of the optical element with respect to inertial space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for vibrationally isolating an optical system against mechanical wave energy comprising: a mirror forming part of the optical system that is statically and dynamically balanced about an axis of rotation and that is subject to spatial dislocation by said mechanical wave energy; and means coupled to said mirror for spinning said mirror about said axis defining a gyroscopic axis of stability for providing vibration isolation by action of the phenomena of gyroscopic stability that tends to maintain the gyroscopic axis of stability fixed with respect to inertial space notwithstanding said mechanical wave energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for vibrationally isolating an optical system against mechanical wave energy comprising: a mirror forming part of the optical system that is statically and dynamically balanced about an axis of rotation and that is subject to spatial dislocation by said mechanical wave energy; and means coupled to said mirror for spinning said mirror about said axis defining a gyroscopic axis of stability for providing vibration isolation by action of the phenomena of gyroscopic stability that tends to maintain the gyroscopic axis of stability fixed with respect to inertial space notwithstanding said mechanical wave energy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein said spinning means includes a gyroscope having a rotor and coils, and wherein said mirror is mounted to said rotor for rotation therewith.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 16, further including means for actuating the coils of said gyroscope for providing tilt control of said mirror mounted to said rotor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein said mirror is a cavity feedback mirror of a laser resonant cavity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 18, wherein said resonant cavity is a confocal unstable resonant cavity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 19, further including a 45° scraper mirror mounted adjacent said cavity feedback mirror, and means for selectively tilting said scraper mirror.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein said mirror is an optical relay mirror.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a method for vibrationally isolating the optical elements of an optical system against undesirable mechanical wave energy induced spatial dislocation the steps of: directing optical radiation onto the surface of an optical element mounted to the rotor of a gyroscope having electrical actuator coils for orienting the rotor with respect to inertial space and electrical transducer coils for sensing the orientation of the rotor with respect to inertial space in such a way that the normal to the optical element is colinear with the axis of rotation of the rotor; and controllably electrically energizing the actuator coils to selectively orient the optical element with respect to inertial space.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a method for vibrationally isolating the optical elements of an optical system against undesirable mechanical wave energy induced spatial dislocation the steps of: directing optical radiation onto the surface of an optical element mounted to the rotor of a gyroscope having electrical actuator coils for orienting the rotor with respect to inertial space and electrical transducer coils for sensing the orientation of the rotor with respect to inertial space in such a way that the normal to the optical element is colinear with the axis of rotation of the rotor; and controllably electrically energizing the actuator coils to selectively orient the optical element with respect to inertial space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
84 words
The invention of claim 22, further including the step of rotating the rotor about the axis of rotation defining a gyroscopic axis of stability colinear with the normal to the optical element for gyroscopically stabilizing the optical element fastened thereto against mechanical wave energy induced spatial dislocation by action of the phenomenon of gyroscopic inertia that tends to maintain the normal to the optical element coincident with the gyroscopic axis of stability and unaltered with respect to inertial space notwithstanding said mechanical wave energy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 22, further including the step of sensing the electrical energization in the transducer coils to detect the orientation of the optical element with respect to inertial space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4146329A
Cited
US4326800A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-31 | 1989-09-30 | 1990-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-09-30 | 1994-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-31 | 1997-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |