Multi-Beam LIDAR Optical System with Shared Objective Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional long-range fiber-based laser systems, such as LIDAR, require multiple single-fiber telescopes to measure wind conditions in multiple directions, leading to increased system size and cost due to the need for individual optics for each beam.
Innovation Solution
A multi-beam LIDAR optical system using single mode optical fibers and lenses with a specific focal length to entrance pupil diameter ratio, providing a wide field of view and passive athermalization, allowing for efficient coupling of multiple beams over a significant angular range while minimizing system size and back-reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple single-fiber telescopes are used to measure wind conditions in multiple directions, then measurement capability in multiple directions is improved, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple single-fiber telescopes into a single integrated optical system where multiple optical fibers are coupled to a common objective lens through beam combining optics. This merging approach allows multiple measurement directions to be achieved through a single shared optical path, significantly reducing the overall system size while maintaining the capability to measure wind conditions in multiple directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed with a common objective lens that serves multiple functions by receiving light from multiple optical fibers oriented at different angles. This universal optical component performs the measurement function for all directions, eliminating the need for separate telescopes for each measurement direction and thereby reducing system size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple single-fiber telescopes are used for multi-directional measurements, then multi-directional measurement capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple telescope functions into a single optical system with a shared objective lens and beam combining optics, the patent reduces the total number of expensive optical components required. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while preserving multi-directional measurement capability through the coordinated arrangement of multiple optical fibers.
3Reliability
If individual optics are used for each beam, then beam quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual optical paths into a single shared optical path using a common objective lens and beam combining optics. This reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant optical components while maintaining beam quality through precise optical design that ensures each fiber receives properly focused light from its designated direction.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a large entrance pupil diameter is used to gather scattered light at large ranges, then light gathering capability is improved, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single large entrance pupil objective lens that is shared by all optical fibers, allowing the system to achieve large light-gathering capability without proportionally increasing system size. The common optical path enables one large lens to serve multiple measurement directions simultaneously, unlike conventional systems where each telescope would require its own separate large lens.
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 system achieves a significant reduction in size and potential cost, enabling simultaneous measurements in multiple directions with improved performance and reliability over a large temperature range, maintaining efficiency and accuracy in wind speed and direction measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of lenses configured to collimate and focus the light beams between the plurality of single mode optical fibers and an entrance pupil of the system
Implementation Method 2
The system is also passively athermalized, maintaining performance and analysis range over a large temperature range (for example, about 140°C)
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-beam LIDAR optical system, that in one example includes a plurality of single mode optical fibers configured to transmit and receive light beams, and a plurality of lenses configured to collimate and focus the light beams between the plurality of single mode optical fibers and an entrance pupil of the system, wherein the system is configured to transmit and receive the light beams over an angular field of view of at least 5°.