Sectional Optical Block for Laser Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical sensors are vulnerable to intense point light sources like lasers, which can cause permanent or temporary blindness, and current blocking methods either fail to protect the sensors effectively or result in complete loss of vision.

Innovation Solution

A sectional optical block system that uses a plurality of tubes and a material transition module to detect hazardous light and block it only in specific sectors of the visual field, allowing unaffected areas to remain visible and protecting the sensors from high irradiance and frequency light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current blocking methods are used to protect optical sensors from intense light sources, then sensor protection is improved, but complete loss of vision occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidvision loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The field of view is divided into multiple sectors, with each sector having an independent blocking element that can be controlled separately. This allows selective blocking of hazardous light in specific sectors while maintaining visibility in other sectors, thus protecting the sensor without causing complete vision loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sectors of the field of view are treated differently - some sectors have blocking elements activated to protect against hazardous light, while other sectors remain transparent to maintain vision. This local differentiation allows simultaneous sensor protection and partial vision preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If blocking elements are activated to protect against hazardous light, then sensor damage is prevented, but operational efficiency decreases due to vision loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking system is segmented into multiple independently controllable elements corresponding to different field of view sectors. This enables selective activation of only those sectors where hazardous light is detected, preserving operational efficiency in unaffected sectors while maintaining sensor protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking elements are dynamically controlled based on real-time detection of hazardous light sources. The system can rapidly activate or deactivate specific sectors as needed, allowing the sensor to maintain high operational efficiency when no threat is present while providing protection when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If frequency selective filters are used to block hazardous light, then some frequency protection is achieved, but blockage capability is insufficient against high irradiance sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency selective protectionVSAvoidblockage capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking elements can change their optical properties (such as transparency or opacity) in response to detected light intensity. This parameter change allows the system to provide sufficient blockage capability against high irradiance sources while maintaining frequency-selective protection characteristics when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3832275B1Sectional optical block
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP
  • EP3832275B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3832275B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3832275B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A system (100) includes a first tube of a plurality of tubes (108), the first tube having a first end (212) and a second end (214). The system (100) further includes a light detector (304) positioned at the second end (214) of the first tube. The light detector (304) is configured to detect an incoming light and determine light intensity information of the incoming light. The system further includes a material (210) coupled to the first end (212) of the first tube. The material (210) is configured to change its transparency. The system further comprises a processor (402) coupled to the light detector (304) and the material (210). The processor (402) is configured to receive the light intensity information from the light detector (304). The processor (402) is further configured to determine that an intensity of the incoming light is above a threshold, and, in response to determining that the intensity is above the threshold, cause a change in transparency of the material (210).