Modular Laser System Segmentation for Environmental Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-short pulse laser systems are bulky and ill-suited for variable environments due to their monolithic design, which restricts their use in mobile and space-constrained applications, as they require uniform environmental conditions that are often not available.
Innovation Solution
A modular, distributed aperture ultra-short pulsed laser system is designed with components grouped by environmental sensitivity, allowing placement in different compartments with tailored environmental controls, reducing size, weight, and power requirements, and utilizing electronic and fiber optic connections for flexibility and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all laser components are integrated into a single package, then the system structure is simple, but the system becomes bulky and cannot be adapted to different environments
Solution Approach 1:
The laser system is divided into multiple independent component groups (master oscillator, amplifiers, compressors, etc.) that can be separated and distributed across different compartments of the host platform, reducing the volume of any single package while maintaining system functionality through optical fiber interconnections
2Volume of moving object
If all laser components are placed in one package, then the system is compact, but it requires uniform environmental conditions that are not always available
Solution Approach 1:
Different component groups are assigned to different compartments based on their specific environmental requirements (temperature, humidity, vibration), allowing each component to operate in its optimal environment while the overall system adapts to the host platform's available spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into environmentally sensitive and insensitive components, enabling flexible distribution across compartments with varying environmental controls
3Adaptability or versatility
If laser components are separated into different compartments, then environmental adaptability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Optical fiber interconnections serve as intermediaries to link separated laser components across different compartments, enabling environmental adaptability while managing system complexity through standardized, flexible coupling mechanisms
4Ease of operation
If all components are in a single package, then the system is easier to operate, but it is ill-suited for mobile and space-constrained applications
Solution Approach 1:
The laser system is segmented into distributed component groups that can be placed in space-constrained locations throughout the host platform, reducing the weight concentration in any single location and enabling mobile applications
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and related modular laser systems, e.g., distributed aperture, ultra short pulsed laser, are provided on a host platform having multiple compartments and groups of components where each group has a different environmental sensitivity such as temperature, humidity, vibration, etc or other installation constraints. Each component group is placed in different compartments of the host platform based on constraints comprising equipment, size, available installation footprint, equipment interconnection, and location constraints. For example, one group with one temperature sensitivity falling within environments provided for aircraft passengers or crews can be placed in the crew or passenger compartments. Other components having a greater temperature tolerance might be placed in an equipment bay having a different temperature range than a crew/passenger cabin. Other components might be placed in an area without any environmental controls or even pressurization (e.g., a cargo bay). Components can be located based on single, multiple, or combinations of constraints.