Beam Focusing Unit for Laser Weapon Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser weapon systems face challenges in achieving high spatial movement dynamics and precision in focusing a laser beam over a wide area, such as a hemisphere, while maintaining beam quality and power, due to limitations in fiber optics length and mass distribution, which restricts their effectiveness against dynamic targets.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves separating the laser weapon system into a static part for energy generation and a fully movable part for beam focusing, using fiber-optic connections to transmit power and signals between these parts, allowing the output element unit responsible for beam quality to move freely and maintain high focusing speeds and accuracy without deteriorating beam properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fiber optics are used to transmit laser power over long distances, then the system can achieve greater flexibility and movement range, but non-linear effects and thermal effects occur that limit the transmittable power output
Solution Approach 1:
The laser system is divided into multiple fiber laser modules, each generating a portion of the total power. These modules are arranged in parallel rather than using a single high-power source connected via long fiber optics. This segmentation allows each fiber connection to transmit only the power it generates locally, avoiding the power transmission limits of long fiber optics while achieving the required total power output.
2Power
If the fiber diameter is increased to transmit higher power, then power transmission capability improves, but beam quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large-diameter fiber that would compromise beam quality, the system uses multiple small-diameter fiber laser modules. Each module produces high-quality beams through its own small-core fiber, and these beams are combined at the output to achieve the required total power while maintaining individual beam quality standards.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the laser weapon system is made rigidly coupled as a whole, then structural stability improves, but the mass to be moved increases significantly, reducing focusing dynamics and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the heavy, stationary laser generating components from the lightweight, movable beam transmitting and focusing components. The fiber laser modules can be distributed with generators in fixed positions and only the necessary beam delivery optics moved to targets, dramatically reducing the mass that requires high-speed positioning while maintaining system stability through the fiber optic connections.
4Manufacturing precision
If a short fiber length is used to maintain beam quality, then beam properties are preserved, but the system cannot function with trailing fiber optics and cannot move over large spatial angles
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent fiber laser modules positioned at different locations rather than one long fiber connection. Each module has its own short fiber optic path to the beam combining optics, preserving beam quality through short transmission distances while the distributed arrangement of modules enables coverage of large spatial angles and hemisphere-wide targeting capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables focusing of the active beam over a full hemisphere with high spatial dynamics and precision, maintaining beam quality and power, and reduces the overall mass and volume of the movable part, enhancing operational reliability and reducing the risk of catastrophic failures.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting the optical energy takes place via a fiber-optic connection
Data Source
AI summary
A beam focusing unit for a laser weapon system includes a laser generating unit, an output element unit, and a beam optics element. The beam focusing unit includes a stationary/partly movable part and a fully movable part. The stationary/partly movable part is adapted for positioning or for transporting the beam focusing unit between operations. The fully movable part is adapted for targeting and target-following of the laser weapon system. The beam optics element and the at least one output element unit is arranged on the fully movable part.