Laser Weapon System Merging Rangefinder With Effective Laser
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser weapon systems require separate rangefinders to determine the distance to a target, which adds complexity and may not be as efficient as using the effective laser itself for distance measurement.
Innovation Solution
A laser weapon system that uses a continuous-wave laser to irradiate a target with a modulation pulse, allowing the same effective laser to perform distance measurement by detecting the modulation pulse in the reflected radiation and calculating the time-of-flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate rangefinder is used to determine distance, then distance measurement capability is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rangefinder functionality with the effective laser by using the same laser to both irradiate the target and emit modulation pulses for distance measurement. The radiation detector detects both the reflected laser radiation and the modulation pulses, merging the functions of the effective laser and rangefinder into a single integrated system, thereby eliminating the need for a separate rangefinder and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective laser is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the irradiating source for the laser weapon and the pulse emission source for distance measurement. The modulation pulses are superimposed on the continuous-wave laser beam, allowing the same optical path and detector to handle both weapon operation and rangefinding, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a separate laser-based rangefinder is used, then distance measurement is achieved, but system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the effective laser and rangefinder into a single system, the patent eliminates the need for separate laser sources and optical paths. The modulation pulses are integrated into the continuous-wave laser beam, allowing simultaneous operation of the laser weapon and distance measurement without the efficiency losses associated with separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective laser operates in dual modes: continuous-wave operation for laser weapon delivery and pulsed modulation for distance measurement. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high efficiency by using a single optical path and detector for both purposes, avoiding the redundancy and energy consumption issues of separate rangefinder systems.
3Measurement precision
If the effective laser is modulated with short pulses, then distance measurement is enabled, but duty cycle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The effective laser operates with periodic modulation pulses superimposed on the continuous-wave beam. These short pulses are emitted at high repetition rates, creating a periodic action that enables distance measurement while maintaining the overall continuous-wave operation. The periodic pulses allow the system to extract range information without requiring prolonged interruptions to the laser operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The modulation pulses represent a partial action within the overall continuous-wave operation. By using short pulses with high repetition rates, the system achieves sufficient distance measurement capability through cumulative sampling of the reflected modulation pulses, while the majority of the time the laser operates at full continuous-wave power, minimizing the impact on the overall duty cycle.
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 simplifies the design of the laser weapon system by eliminating the need for a separate rangefinder, allows for high repetition rates in range measurement, and maintains a long range compared to conventional rangefinders.
Implementation Method 1
the radiation detector is configured to detect the modulation pulse in the reflected intensity of the detected reflected laser radiation and to determine a distance of the target from the laser weapon system via a time-of-flight measurement of the modulation pulse
Implementation Method 2
an effective laser configured to irradiate a target with a continuous-wave laser beam having a predetermined beam intensity; and the effective laser is configured to impart a modulation pulse to the beam intensity of the continuous-wave laser beam
Implementation Method 3
a radiation detector configured to detect reflected laser radiation reflected by the target with a reflected intensity
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
A laser weapon system comprises a laser designed to irradiate a target with a continuous-wave laser beam of a predetermined beam intensity; and a radiation detector designed to detect reflected laser radiation reflected by the target with a given reflection intensity; wherein the laser designed to impose a modulation pulse on the beam intensity of the continuous-wave laser beam, and wherein the radiation detector is designed to detect the modulation pulse in the reflection intensity of the detected reflected laser radiation and to determine the distance of the target from the laser weapon system by measuring the time of flight of the modulation pulse.