Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090237761 | Direction of Optical Signals by a Movable Diffractive Optical Element - A method and apparatus particularly useful for telecommunications applications, such as switching (Add/Drop), multiplexing and demultiplexing, is disclosed. The method commences by directing a source of input optical signal(s) ( | 09-24-2009 |
20100294116 | Method and apparatus for protecting vehicles and personnel against incoming projectiles - A projector of multiple skewed light planes or sheets is located adjacent a vehicle to be protected and detectors are arranged to detect the penetration of the light sheets by an incoming object, with the time intervals between the piercing of the planes defining the path of the incoming object and its expected impact time. An array of bullet-firing barrels is arranged to project bullets in an iron curtain under control of a fire control module that fires a round in a barrel above the projected flight path such that the round impacts the nose of the object and disables it. It is thus the piercing of the skewed light sheets that provides information as to the impact point of the object as well as its time of arrival so that a round can be fired to intercept the object as it arrives at the iron curtain. | 11-25-2010 |
20100328673 | HIGH-INDEX CONTRAST WAVEGUIDE OPTICAL GYROSCOPE HAVING SEGMENTED PATHS - A waveguide optical gyroscope is disclosed. The waveguide optical gyroscope includes a laser, two detectors, a set of couplers and a set of waveguides. The laser generates a light beam. A first waveguide guides the light beam to travel in a first direction, and a second waveguide guides the light beam to travel in a second direction. The first and second waveguides are coupled to several ring waveguides via the couplers. The first detector detects the arrival of the light beam traveling from the first waveguide, and the second detector detects the arrival of the light beam traveling from the second waveguide. | 12-30-2010 |
20110080666 | Lightweight aerogel-based optical elements - Aerogel-based optical elements are disclosed. The aerogel-based optical elements have an aerogel member having at least one surface, and at least one optical surface disposed on the at least one aerogel member surface. The at least one optical surface comprises an electroformed metal or at least one glass sheet. The at least one optical surface can be transmissive, reflective, or both. Different types of aerogel-based optical elements are presented, along with various methods of making the aerogel-based optical elements. | 04-07-2011 |
20110204145 | Method And Apparatus For Protecting Vehicles And Personnel Against Incoming Projectiles - A projector of multiple skewed light planes or sheets is located adjacent a vehicle to be protected and detectors are arranged to defect the penetration of the light sheets by an incoming object, with the time intervals between the piercing of the planes defining the path of the incoming object and its expected impact time. An array of bullet-firing barrels is arranged to project bullets in ah iron curtain under control of a fire control module that fires a round in a barrel above the projected flight path such that the round impacts the nose of the object and disables it. It is thus the piercing of the skewed light sheets mat provides information as to the impact point of the object as well as its time of arrival so that a round can be fired to intercept the object as it arrives at the iron curtain. | 08-25-2011 |
20120150484 | Threat detection systems and methods using position-sensing photodiodes - Threat detection systems and methods are disclosed that employ position-sensing photodiodes to locate a munitions flash within a field of view of a collection optical system. The flash is then located on a map of the monitored terrain, which map can be displayed to a system user. Processing electronics determine whether the flash is actually munitions-based or is from another non-threatening light source. | 06-14-2012 |
20130158943 | Threat detection systems and methods using image intensifiers and position-sensing photodiodes - Threat detection systems and methods are disclosed that employ position-sensing photodiodes (PSDs) to locate a munitions flash within a field of view of a collection optical system. Image intensifiers are used to form intensified first and second focus spots from the focus spots formed by the collection optical system over two different wavelength bands. The intensified focus spots are then detected by corresponding PSDs. The flash is then located on a map of the monitored terrain, which map can be displayed to a system user. Processing electronics determine whether the flash is actually munitions-based or is from another non-threatening light source. | 06-20-2013 |