Laser flare
US4934273A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B12/42
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A compact laser flare illuminator includes a semiconductor diode laser array radiation source, an energy source for the radiation source that can be switched on and a housing which holds the array and energy source, while allowing egress of a beam. This illuminator may be used to facilitate night vision by persons wearing night vision goggles or using other types of wavelength-selective night vision devices. The housing may serve as a heat sink and may be equipped with a propulsion device and with fins for flight stabilization, as well as with a parachute for slowing descent from an altitude above an area to be illuminated. A wavelength filter that passes radiation only in a predetermined wavelength range and a lens or optical element to focus the laser radiation toward the area to be illuminated are optional features.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.