Gimbaled Optical Coude Path for Dual-Mode Seekers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electro-optical seekers are limited by their passive nature, which impairs range measurement and restricts operation to specific spectral bands, making them costly and unsuitable for smaller platforms, and there is a need for a compact, low-cost, and stable active electro-optical architecture that can incorporate active laser modes into both small and large optical systems.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode gimbaled optical system that optically couples an off-gimbal active optical source, such as a laser, into the passive optical path using an optical fiber routed through a ferrule acting as a nod axis bearing, allowing stable operation across all environments and enabling both passive and active modes with minimal component count and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active laser modes are incorporated into electro-optical seekers, then range measurement and night-time operation capabilities are improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the active laser path and passive receiver path into a single shared optical path. The laser beam and received radiation both traverse the same gimbaled optics and optical path, eliminating the need for separate optical trains. This combining approach reduces hardware complexity while maintaining range measurement capability through the same optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbaled optical system serves dual functions: it acts as both the illumination source for active mode (laser beam delivery) and the receiver for passive mode (target radiation collection). The same optics and path are used for both transmitting laser energy and receiving reflected or emitted radiation, enabling multi-functionality without additional hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If active laser modes are incorporated into electro-optical seekers, then range measurement and night-time operation capabilities are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines active and passive operational modes within a single integrated optical platform. By sharing the gimbaled optics, optical path, and support structures between active laser illumination and passive radiation reception, the system achieves operational versatility without proportionally increasing manufacturing cost. The shared architecture reduces the total component count compared to separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional free-space optical paths are used for active modes, then active laser operation is achieved, but the system becomes unsuitable for smaller platforms due to size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the active laser path with the existing passive optical path, allowing both functions to share the same gimbaled optics and support structure. This eliminates the need for separate free-space optical paths and associated mounting infrastructure, significantly reducing the volume required for active mode operation and enabling integration onto smaller platforms.
4Measurement precision
If active laser modes are incorporated into passive optical systems, then range measurement capability is improved, but stability across gimbal movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the active laser path with the passive receiver path through the same gimbaled optical train. Both the laser beam delivery and radiation reception share identical optical components and mounting structures that are inherently stabilized by the gimbal mechanism. This shared architecture ensures that both active and passive modes benefit from the same mechanical stability and alignment characteristics across the full range of gimbal movements.
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 approach provides a power-efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solution for incorporating active laser modes into small and large seekers, enabling range measurement and night-time operation across various spectral bands, including SWIR and NIR, while maintaining stability and reducing hardware complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber, such as an optical waveguide
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A dual-mode active and passive gimbaled optical system including a mechanism for coupling an optical signal from an off-gimbal active-mode source into the on-gimbal passive-mode optical path. One example of the system includes a passive off-gimbal detector assembly configured to image emissive electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene, and a receiver-path optical assembly, including on-gimbal objective optics, that directs the electromagnetic radiation to the off-gimbal detector assembly. The system further includes an off-gimbal active source that generates an optical signal, a gimbal bearing assembly that supports rotation of the gimbal and includes a centrally-located output ferrule mated to an optical fiber that transports the optical signal from the active source to the output ferrule, and an on-gimbal optical coupling element that receives the optical signal from the output ferrule and couples the optical signal into the receiver optical path to direct the optical signal toward the on-gimbal objective optics.