128 results about "Laser beam guide" patented technology

Embodiments of the invention comprise an apparatus for use with a laser range finder configured to direct a laser beam toward a scene to measure the distance to a target in the scene and having a range finder display for displaying data, including data that is indicative of the distance to a target, wherein the apparatus comprises a protective housing, a camera module in the housing, the camera module including a lens mounted in a front end portion of the housing, and a light path through the lens to image sensor, an image sensor operatively connected to the camera module for receiving images acquired by the camera module, electronic memory for selectively storing data of images from the image sensor, circuitry for controlling the operation of the image sensor and the memory, a camera display in the housing operatively connected to the image sensor for receiving the image data and providing a visual display of the image, and a switch for storing image data in the memory. Other embodiments include a projector in the housing for projecting the data displayed by the second display onto the image sensor to thereby capture the image data of the scene and displayed distance data together.

A liquid particle counter for optically detecting an unconstrained particle suspended in a flowing liquid includes a sample chamber having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; a laser diode module producing a symmetrically collimated laser beam; a beam shaping optical system directing the laser beam at the sample chamber; and an optical detector located to detect light scattered by the particle in the sample chamber, the detector producing an electric signal characteristic of a parameter of the particle. The laser beam has an energy of a watt or more and passed through an aperture in a black glass aperture element in the sample chamber. The black glass aperture element removes diffracted and stray light from the beam without damage to the sample chamber.

A Raman spectroscopy system includes a laser source for providing a laser beam, and an optical probe assembly including a photonic crystal fiber light guide for receiving the laser beam from the laser source and for directing the laser beam toward a specimen of selected material, a lens for receiving the laser beam in the light guide and directing the beam onto the specimen and for receiving reflected light from the specimen and directing the reflected light back through the fiber light guide, and a dichroic beam splitter for directing a portion of the reflected beam out of the optical probe assembly. The system further includes an optical spectrum analyzer for receiving the portion of the reflected beam and for exhibiting a Raman signature of the specimen.

A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and / or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile. The receiver delivers the passive and / or active signatures to the countermeasure processor and the track processor, wherein the track processor updates the pointer signal and the countermeasure processor generates a jam code delivered by the laser beam to divert the trajectory of the missile away from the platform. A nulling or blanking signal may be used during generation of the laser beam to improve reception of the active signature.

Embodiments include an apparatus and methods for removing unwanted plants or weeds from an area such as an agricultural plot or lawn. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional imager configured to capture plant images and locate plants; an image processor configured to distinguish between wanted and unwanted plants based upon the captured plant images; at least one laser device configured to emit a laser beam having power sufficient to damage the unwanted plants; a laser beam controller configured to direct at least one laser beam toward the unwanted plant; and a chassis configured to support the three-dimensional imager, the laser device, and the laser beam controller. The chassis is configured to be moved across the area.

The invention describes a method of inspecting an air-gap (1) of an electrical machine (2), which method comprises the steps of directing at least one laser beam (L) into the air-gap (1); detecting the laser beam (L) after reflection; determining the distance (d OK , d F ) travelled by the laser beam (L); and analysing the travelled distance (d OK , d F ) to detect an irregularity (F pole , F oval , F object ) in the air-gap (1). The invention further describes an air-gap inspection apparatus (3) for detecting an irregularity in the air-gap (1) of an electrical machine (2), which apparatus (3) comprises a laser module (30) realised to direct at least one laser beam (L) into the air-gap (1) and to detect the laser beam (L) after reflection; a computation unit (31) realised to determine the distance (d OK , d F ) travelled by the laser beam (L); and an analysis unit (32) realised to analyse the travelled distance (d OK , d F ) to detect an irregularity in the air-gap (1).

A laser radar including laser beam generating means, photo detecting means, a mirror, light deflecting means, and rotation driving means. The laser beam generating means emits a laser beam having an axis thereof. The photo detecting means detects a reflected laser beam that is reflected back by an object. The mirror includes a through-hole that passes the laser beam and a reflecting surface that reflects a reflected laser beam reflected back by the object toward the photo detecting means. The light deflecting means deflects the laser beam toward a measuring region and reflects the reflected laser beam from the object toward the mirror. The rotation driving means rotates the light deflecting means so as to direct the laser beam toward the measuring region.

A laser irradiation system includes a laser beam generator to generate laser beams, a laser beam irradiator to radiate the laser beams onto a target, a laser beam guide to detect whether one of the laser beams is reflected back toward the laser beam irradiator, a detector to convert the reflected laser beam into electrical signal data, and a controller to control the output of the laser beam generator, based on the signal data.

The present invention provides a fine-particle sorting technique that uses optical pressure (optical force) and that can be applied in place of heretofore known cell sorting techniques; and a fine-particle recovering technique therefor. The fine-particle recovering method of the present invention comprises directing a laser beam toward a flow path of fine particles in such a manner that the laser beam crosses the flow direction of the fine particles to thereby deflect the direction of movement of the fine particles to be recovered, in the direction of convergence of the laser beam. The sorting method of the present invention comprises performing flow cytometric sorting of fine particles according to the above recovering method of the present invention.

A device that is capable of simultaneously inspecting both sides of surfaces of a magnetic disk to detect defects thereon includes a front-side defect detecting section and a back-side defect detecting section each of which optically detect a scratch and a defect that are present on the front and back surfaces of the magnetic disk, to improve a throughput for inspection. The back-side defect detecting section has an optical path changing section that reflects a laser beam emitted by a laser light source to change an optical path thereof and thereby to direct the laser beam toward the back surface of the magnetic disk and that reflects scattered light that has been collected by a Fresnel lens to change an optical path thereof and thereby to direct the scattered light toward a first photoelectric converter.

There is provided a laser radar apparatus including laser beam generating means, photo detecting means, a mirror assembly, light deflecting means, and rotation driving means. The laser beam generating means emits a laser beam having an axis thereof. The photo detecting means detects a reflected laser beam that is reflected back by an object. The mirror assembly includes a through-hole that transmits the laser beam and a reflecting surface that reflects a reflected laser beam reflected back by the object toward the photo detecting means. The light deflecting means has a flat mirror surface and a concave-shaped mirror surface, and reflects the laser beam toward a measurement range and deflects the reflected laser beam from the object toward the mirror assembly. The rotation driving means rotates the light deflecting means so as to direct the laser beam toward the measurement range.

A method for making an array of carbon nanotubes includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; (b) forming a catalyst film on the first surface of the substrate; (c) flowing a mixture of a carrier gas and a carbon source gas over the catalyst film; (d) generating a laser beam using a galvanometric scanning system, directing the laser beam toward / on one of the first surface and the second surface to locally heat the catalyst film to a predetermined temperature; and (e) growing an array of the carbon nanotubes from the substrate.

The method of lap-welding of metal plates using a laser beam, wherein at least one of the metal plates is surface-treated, includes putting a metal plate on the other metal plate and forming a gap between the metal plates so that gas generated at the treated surface at the time weld can be dissipated therethrough. A surface-treated first work and a surface-treated second work are placed one on the other and clamped by means of a clamp with an opening of the clamp centered at the location on the first work to be welded. Then a laser beam is directed to the location to form a weld. The beam is then directed near the inner periphery of the opening to form a heated portion so that the heated portion deflects to form a gap through which the gas generated at the treated surface dissipates thereby reducing gas pressure.

A laser welding apparatus includes a laser welding unit including a first lens adapted to focus a laser beam; a second lens adapted to diffuse the laser beam to the first lens; and a third lens adapted to guide the laser beam to the second lens. The relative positions of the first lens, the second lens, and the third lens, are adjusted to adjust a diffusion angle and a beam width of the laser beam entering the first lens. The laser welding apparatus performs: actuating the laser welding unit to travel at a predetermined speed along a predetermined trajectory; directing the laser beam at a first welding spot; adjusting the focal length to focus the laser beam at the first welding spot; holding the laser focal spot size substantially constant; and directing the laser beam at a second welding spot after completion of welding for the first welding spot.

A phosphor-based lamp includes a phosphor material and an excitation source, which may be a laser or an LED, or both. Preferably, the lamp includes a recycling collar to reflect and recycle high angle light to increase brightness. Preferably, when the excitation source is a laser, a beam splitter redirects the laser beam to direct the laser beam through the recycling collar aperture onto the phosphor material. Light emitted by the phosphor material which exits the aperture passes through the beam splitter as the output of the lamp. Alternatively, lenses are used to redirect the laser beam around the recycling collar towards the phosphor material. Preferably, a plurality of excitation lasers are disposed around the recycling collar and aimed either to direct their outputs onto the phosphor material or toward an opposing wall, where the outputs are reflected onto the phosphor material. Such lamp may be used as part of a projection system. In one embodiment, the phosphor material is contained on the color wheel.