Compact laser altimeter system
US7342647B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C5/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser-based altimeter for use on-board an aircraft comprises: a first housing including a hollow cavity and an exit aperture, and a second housing including a hollow cavity and an entrance aperture. A laser source and a plurality of first optical elements are fixedly supported in a compact configuration within the hollow cavity of the first housing. The plurality of first optical elements directs laser beams generated by the laser source from a first optical path to a second optical path which exits the first housing through the exit aperture. At least one second optical element is configured within the hollow cavity of the second housing to form a telescope with a predetermined field of view. The telescope receives at the entrance aperture reflections of the pulsed laser beams from objects within the field of view thereof and focuses the received reflections substantially to a focal point. A light detector is included for receiving and converting the focused reflections into electrical signals representative thereof. The first and second housings are fixedly secured in alignment with respect to each other to permit the second optical path of the pulsed laser beams to be adjusted…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.