US4547662A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Noninterference optical error sensing system
Assignee: RTX Corp
•
Filing: 1983-03-16
•
Granted: 1985-10-15
•
Expires: 2003-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A device for examining optical surfaces in an optical train for a laser employs radiation diffusely scattered from the surfaces as input to a noninterfering sampling system that can examine any optical surface in the total system from a single sampling position.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean F. Cornwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/0011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for detecting errors in an optical system carrying a high power laser beam comprising: means for deflecting a portion of said laser beam to form an amount of sample radiation; means for collecting a test portion of said sample radiation; means for focusing said test portion of said sample radiation to at least one image, each of which includes an amount of image radiation; detector means for detecting image radiation in said at least one image and forming signals representative of said image radiation; and means for forming at least one set of image parameters from said representative signals; said image parameters being related in a predetermined manner to errors in said high power laser beam; said means for deflecting a portion of said laser beam includes at least one single apertured optical surface intercepting said high power laser beam and being disposed within said optical system for deflecting said portion of said laser beam diffusely; and said means for collecting a test portion of sample radiation is a reflective element positioned outside said laser beam.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for detecting errors in an optical system carrying a high power laser beam comprising: means for deflecting a portion of said laser beam to form an amount of sample radiation; means for collecting a test portion of said sample radiation; means for focusing said test portion of said sample radiation to at least one image, each of which includes an amount of image radiation; detector means for detecting image radiation in said at least one image and forming signals representative of said image radiation; and means for forming at least one set of image parameters from said representative signals; said image parameters being related in a predetermined manner to errors in said high power laser beam; said means for deflecting a portion of said laser beam includes at least one single apertured optical surface intercepting said high power laser beam and being disposed within said optical system for deflecting said portion of said laser beam diffusely; and said means for collecting a test portion of sample radiation is a reflective element positioned outside said laser beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said detector means includes means for selecting preferentially a single image formed by said focusing means from a single optical surface within said optical system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said detector means includes a radiation axis substantially along which said test portion of radiation is focused and includes means for forming signals representative of a position of sharpest focus of said at least one image along said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said detector means includes a radiation axis substantially along which said test portion of radiation is focused and includes means for forming signals representative of transverse deviations of said at least one image from a predetermined reference position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said detector means selects, sequentially, at least two single images formed by said focusing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said laser beam is carried from an up beam direction toward a down beam direction, in which said sample radiation is deflected both up beam and down beam and which said means for collecting a test portion includes an annular deflecting means having an annulus through which said laser beam passes and both up beam collecting means for collecting sample radiation deflected from said up beam direction toward said annular deflecting means and down beam collecting means for collecting sample radiation deflected from said down beam direction toward said annular deflecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3804521A
Cited
US3825845A
Cited
US4129775A
Cited
US4210400A
Cited
US4243877A
Cited
US4295741A
Cited
US4405232A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-14 | 1989-04-15 | 1989-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-14 | 1993-04-15 | 1993-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-14 | 1997-04-15 | 1997-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |