Telescope Light Beam Splitter for Small Satellite Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Space telescopes on small and super-small satellites face challenges in achieving high optical performance due to the technical difficulties in manufacturing large-diameter primary mirrors and the resulting focal displacement caused by temperature changes, which limits the effective use of large image circle diameters and requires complex arrangements of imaging devices to cover the field of view.
Innovation Solution
A reflecting telescope design with a light beam splitting device and a mounting system for multiple optical detectors, utilizing a light beam splitting device with mirror surfaces to split the light beam into multiple beams, allowing for effective use of the image circle diameter and correcting focal displacement through a controller and focusing actuator system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the aperture of the optical system is increased to improve image resolution, then the image circle diameter increases, but it becomes difficult to arrange imaging devices to fully cover the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large optical path into multiple separate optical paths using beam splitting mirrors. Each optical path is directed to a separate imaging device, allowing multiple detectors to capture different portions of the large image circle without requiring complex arrangements on a single imaging surface. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling full utilization of the large aperture's field of view while maintaining manageable device configuration.
2Measurement precision
If the diameter of the primary mirror is enlarged to increase aperture, then the manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain, but higher aperture is needed for better resolution
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large primary mirror that is difficult to manufacture with high precision, the patent employs multiple smaller mirrors (including beam splitting mirrors and secondary mirrors) that are easier to manufacture with required precision. These smaller mirrors work together to achieve the same effective aperture and optical performance as a single large mirror, thereby resolving the manufacturing precision challenge while maintaining high resolution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested mirror configuration where multiple mirrors are arranged in sequence within the optical path. The beam splitting mirrors and secondary mirrors are positioned nested within the overall telescope structure, allowing compact arrangement of multiple optical elements that collectively achieve the desired large aperture performance without requiring a single excessively large and difficult-to-manufacture mirror.
3Measurement precision
If the diameter of the primary mirror is increased to enlarge aperture, then focal displacement increases due to temperature changes, but large aperture is required for high resolution imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple separate optical paths using beam splitting mirrors, with each path having its own imaging device. This segmentation isolates the focal position of each optical path, so that thermal expansion or contraction of individual mirrors affects only that specific path rather than causing cumulative focal displacement across the entire system. This resolves the stability issue by localizing thermal effects to manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the optical path through beam splitting, where each copied path includes its own mirrors and imaging device. This allows the system to achieve large effective aperture through multiple smaller copied paths rather than a single large path, thereby reducing the focal displacement problem associated with large mirrors while maintaining high resolution capability through the combined output of multiple copies.
4Weight of stationary object
If a reflecting telescope is used to reduce weight and compactness, then the telescope becomes suitable for small satellites, but focal displacement occurs due to temperature-induced shape changes in the primary mirror
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a single large primary mirror with multiple smaller mirrors arranged in a reflecting configuration. This segmentation maintains the weight and compactness advantages of reflecting telescopes for small satellite deployment while reducing the focal displacement problem, as each smaller mirror experiences less thermal-induced shape change than a single large mirror would.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable mechanisms that allow dynamic compensation for focal displacement caused by temperature changes in the reflecting telescope system. This enables the telescope to maintain optimal focus despite thermal expansion or contraction of the mirror components, thereby resolving the stability issue while preserving the weight and compactness benefits necessary for small satellite applications.
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
Enables the effective use of large image circle diameters and corrects focal displacement caused by temperature changes, ensuring high optical performance and compactness suitable for small satellites by using a reflecting telescope with a light beam splitting device and a focusing actuator system.
Implementation Method 1
the light beam splitting device including a plurality of mirror surfaces configured to split a beam of light incident on the telescope into a plurality of beams of light
Implementation Method 2
temperature change in turn causes changes in the shape of the mirror surface of the primary mirror, and the degree of change increases with the diameter. As the shape of the mirror surface of the primary mirror changes, the imaging position changes, thus causing focal displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A telescope includes a light beam splitting device disposed on an optical axis of the telescope, the light beam splitting device including a plurality of mirror surfaces configured to split a beam of light incident on the telescope into a plurality of beams of light; and a mounting device configured to mount a plurality of optical detectors to the telescope such that the plurality of optical detectors respectively correspond to the plurality of beams of light split by the light beam splitting device.