Kaman Aerospace Corporation

George Schafer

Robert J Mayerjak

Bobby L Ulich

Charles H Kaman

An airborne imaging lidar (light detection and ranging) sensor is provided which employs multiple pulsed laser transmitters, multiple gated and intensified array camera receivers, an optical scanner for increased field of regard, and a computer for system control, automatic target detection and display generation. The laser transmitters and multiple camera receivers are optically boresighted to the optical scanner (e.g., oscillating flat mirror) for an increased swath width perpendicular to the aircraft heading. The several laser transmitters are coupled for increased power and system sensitivity.

Imaging lidar system

A device is provided for expanding, reshaping, modifying the intensity distribution and projecting a beam of radiation such as light. The present invention comprises a four sided, internally mirrored tube of polygonal (i.e., rectangular) cross-section wherein the cross-sectional area of the tube expands (generally linearly) with respect to tube length from a first end to a second end. The first end of the tube is associated with a plano-concave (or equivalent) lens and the second end of the tube is associated with a generally flat pane exit optic which includes optical edging for refracting perimeter rays back into the desired field of view. A practical application for the present invention is laser photogrammetry wherein typically it is desired (1) to expand a laser beam of circular cross-section, (2) to reshape the beam into a desired cross-section, usually rectangular, and (3) to project the reshaped beam upon a distant surface.

Growing community of inventors

Somers, CT, United States of America

George Schafer