Laser Weapon Aiming Unit Parked Shield Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser weapon systems face issues with accidental emission of high-energy laser beams due to malfunctions, causing potential harm to people and objects, and are vulnerable to external contaminants and mechanical damage, which affect beam accuracy and performance.
Innovation Solution
A laser weapon system design featuring a directional unit that can be parked with a collar-shaped membrane sealing the exit opening, a sacrificial disc to absorb laser energy, and a cleaning unit with a fluid nozzle for maintenance, ensuring safety and reliability by minimizing unintended laser emission and protecting against external interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the aiming unit is left open during operation, then the laser beam can be emitted freely to neutralize targets, but external contaminants and mechanical damage can enter the housing and impair system function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a transparent protective window (end window) made of sapphire or other transparent materials that allows laser beams to pass through while protecting the internal optical components from contaminants and mechanical damage. This flexible protective barrier resolves the contradiction by maintaining both open access for laser emission and protection of internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent includes a sacrificial disc positioned at the exit aperture that can be replaced if damaged by high-energy laser beams. This disposable component protects the more expensive and critical internal laser components from direct exposure to environmental factors and beam-induced damage, resolving the reliability concern while maintaining operational capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the aiming unit is moved to a parked position with the exit aperture directed downward, then accidental laser emission is contained, but the system cannot quickly respond to emerging threats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rapidly movable aiming unit that can quickly transition between parked position (exit aperture directed downward for safety) and operational positions (exit aperture directed at targets). The dynamic positioning system uses electric motors or actuators to achieve fast repositioning, resolving the contradiction between safety containment and rapid response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-positions the aiming unit in a safe parked position when not in use, with the exit aperture directed downward away from potential targets. This preliminary safety measure is maintained until threat detection occurs, at which point the system rapidly transitions to operational mode, resolving the contradiction between continuous safety and on-demand responsiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective shield is placed below the aiming unit to contain accidental emissions, then safety is improved, but the shield may obstruct the laser beam path to potential targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the protective shield in a vertical dimension below the aiming unit, while the aiming unit itself operates in a horizontal plane for target acquisition. By utilizing the vertical dimension for safety containment and the horizontal dimension for operational effectiveness, the shield does not obstruct the laser beam path to potential targets, resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective shield is designed with localized transparency or apertures in specific areas where the laser beam may pass during normal operation. This localized modification allows the shield to provide safety containment in areas where accidental emissions occur while maintaining beam path clearance in areas where targeted emissions are directed, resolving the contradiction between protection and operational capability.
4Strength
If the end window is made robust to resist mechanical damage, then protection against branches and bushes is improved, but the laser beam transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures for the end window, such as sapphire glass or multi-layer transparent coatings, that combine high mechanical strength and damage resistance with excellent laser beam transmission properties. These composite materials resolve the contradiction by providing both robust protection against mechanical damage from branches and bushes while maintaining high transparency for laser beam passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The end window is designed as a replaceable component that can be substituted if damaged. This disposable protective element shields the expensive and critical internal optical components from mechanical damage, resolving the contradiction by providing robust mechanical protection while maintaining laser transmission capability through regular replacement rather than attempting to make the window permanently indestructible.
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
The solution effectively prevents accidental laser exposure, maintains system integrity by containing contaminants, and ensures continuous operational readiness through efficient cleaning, thereby enhancing safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
High-energy lasers are used in laser weapon systems. Common laser sources include gas lasers, solid-state lasers, diode lasers, and fiber lasers.
Implementation Method 2
The end window is designed as a transparent pane or lens and is exposed to external influences during operation.
Implementation Method 3
a collar-shaped membrane seals the gap between the aiming unit and the shield, the membrane completely enclosing the exit aperture
Implementation Method 4
a sacrificial disc for absorbing the laser beam's energy
Implementation Method 5
a cleaning unit with a fluid nozzle for maintenance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a laser weapon system (1) comprising a laser source (5) and a aiming unit (6), wherein the aiming unit (6) is movably arranged on a housing (4), wherein a laser beam (10) can be generated by means of the laser source (5) and directed towards a target by means of the aiming unit (6), wherein the aiming unit (6) has an exit opening (7) through which the laser beam (10) exits the aiming unit (6). Persons or objects are effectively protected from injury or damage due to a malfunction of the laser weapon system (1) by allowing the aiming unit (6) to be arranged in a parked position (11) in which the exit opening (7) is directed towards a shield (12) arranged below the aiming unit (6).