Laser Weapon Target Tracking with Spatial Process-Light Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser weapons face challenges in precise target tracking due to intense process glow from laser irradiation, which overwhelms tracking sensors and complicates the system, making it difficult to maintain accurate aiming and tracking.
Innovation Solution
A laser weapon system that uses spatial filtering to dim or eliminate process luminescence without additional illumination, employing optical filters and systems like coronagraphs to block intense beams, allowing passive tracking and a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an illumination laser with narrow color filter is used to separate reflected light, then target tracking can be achieved, but system complexity and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the illumination laser and narrow color filter from the system. Instead of using active illumination, the system passively detects target reflection from ambient light sources, eliminating the complex illumination subsystem while maintaining tracking capability through spatial filtering of process luminescence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial filter as an intermediary element that selectively blocks process luminescence from reaching the detector while allowing reflected ambient light to pass through. This mediator enables passive tracking without requiring active illumination lasers or narrow spectral filters
2Measurement precision
If an illumination laser with narrow color filter is used, then reflected light can be separated, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy illumination laser and associated narrow color filter system, replacing them with a lightweight spatial filter that achieves the same tracking function without the weight penalty of active illumination components
3Reliability
If process luminescence is not filtered, then target tracking sensor is overwhelmed, but tracking accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality filtering by using a spatial filter positioned at the intermediate image plane to selectively block only the process luminescence region while allowing other parts of the target image to reach the detector. This localized filtering preserves tracking continuity without sacrificing overall image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful process luminescence into a beneficial signal by using it to define the position of the spatial filter. The intense process light creates a bright spot in the intermediate image that automatically indicates where the filter should be positioned to block it, turning the interfering signal into a self-aligning reference
4Measurement precision
If narrow color filter is used to separate reflected light, then illumination laser works, but field of view is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spatial filter as an intermediary that blocks process luminescence in the intermediate image plane without requiring spectral filtering. This approach maintains the full field of view because it does not rely on wavelength-selective filters that would block other useful wavelengths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spectral filtering (wavelength dimension) to spatial filtering (position dimension). By blocking process luminescence based on its spatial location in the intermediate image rather than its wavelength, the system preserves the full spectral bandwidth and field of view while still achieving selective process light rejection
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
Enables precise target acquisition and tracking by blocking process light, reducing system complexity and weight, and avoiding the need for additional illumination lasers, thus improving tracking accuracy and system simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
the detection device has a filter device configured to dim process luminescence caused by the active laser beam on the target object
Implementation Method 2
a detection device configured to detect optical radiation reflected from the target object
Implementation Method 3
aligning and focusing a laser beam in the determined direction to irradiate the target object
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a laser weapon (1) comprising a laser alignment device (2) configured to align an active laser beam (3) for irradiating a target object (4), a detection device (5) configured to detect optical radiation (6) reflected from the target object, and a control device (7) connected to the laser alignment device and the detection device, which is configured to determine the position of the target object based on the reflected optical radiation and to control the laser alignment device based on the determined position of the target object, wherein the detection device includes a filter device (8) configured to dim process luminescence (9) caused by the active laser beam on the target object. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for detecting a target object with a laser weapon.