Self-Supported Optical Correlator with Integrated Holders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical correlators face high production costs and alignment difficulties due to complex opto-mechanical structures, limiting their widespread adoption and commercial applications.
Innovation Solution
A self-supported tubular optical correlator design with integrated holders and anchor points for secure assembly, reducing the number of components and eliminating the need for external supports, allowing for easy stacking and improved thermal stability, along with digital communication and tagging for precise image and filter correlation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional optical correlator architecture with separate holders and external supports is used, then optical functionality is achieved, but production cost increases and alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the holder structure with the optical correlator components into an integrated assembly. The holder is designed with built-in mounting features and structural support elements that directly accommodate optical components, eliminating the need for separate external supports and reducing the total number of parts, thereby lowering production cost while maintaining optical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical support, component mounting, and alignment reference features. By integrating multiple functions into a single structure, the patent reduces device complexity and eliminates the need for additional specialized components, addressing both production cost and alignment difficulty.
2Ease of operation
If traditional optical correlator architecture with multiple separate components is used, then optical functionality is achieved, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is pre-designed with integrated alignment features such as precision-machined mounting surfaces,定位 holes, and reference marks that guide component placement. These preliminary alignment features are built into the holder structure itself, eliminating the need for complex external alignment tools and procedures, thereby simplifying the alignment process while maintaining structural integrity.
3Volume of moving object
If compact optical correlator design is implemented, then system size is reduced, but thermal stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested design where optical components are arranged concentrically or in layered configurations within the compact holder. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization, reducing overall system size while maintaining adequate thermal spacing and allowing for efficient heat dissipation paths, thereby preserving thermal stability in a compact form factor.
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 reduces production costs, simplifies alignment, enhances thermal stability, and enables efficient multichannel operation, addressing the limitations of prior optical correlators and facilitating their commercial viability.
Implementation Method 1
a first spatial light modulator on which an image is displayed
Implementation Method 2
The light passes through a first spatial light modulator on which an image is displayed. Then, the modulated beam will undergo a first Fourier transform by passing through another lens. The Fourier transform is performed simply by the propagation of the light
Implementation Method 3
The camera is the last component of the correlator and detects the intensity all over the correlation plane
Data Source
AI summary
A self-supported optical correlator has a first holder having two opposite ends, one of the opposite ends being provided with anchor points, the other end being provided with a light source. The correlator also has a second holder having two opposite ends, one of which is provided with anchor points, the other being provided with a light receiving element, and a plurality of intermediary holders, each having two opposite ends provided with anchor points, at least one of the intermediary holders being provided with a spatial light modulator for projecting an image and another of the intermediary holders being provided with another spatial light modulator for projecting a filter. Each of the intermediary holders is provided with optical components secured within the holders. The said anchor points are adapted to secure the first, second and intermediary holders together linearly end to end; so that when the intermediary holders are assembled end to end, and the first holder is assembled at one extremity and the other holder is assembled at another extremity, the resulting assembly forms said optical correlator. The optical components are toleranced, and the anchor point serve to assemble a structure which does not require additional adjustments.