Abstract: An apparatus, system, and computer-implemented method that correct for thermal drift in one or more optical elements in an optical device and maintain high precision accuracy of the optical device during extreme temperature changes. The apparatus includes an optical device having an optical element configured to direct or reflect a light beam, a pivot support configured to hold a portion of the optical element and facilitate motion of the optical element in multidimensional space, a controller configured to determine a displacement of the optical element due to thermal drift and generate an actuator drive signal based on the amount of the displacement, and an actuator configured to receive the actuator drive signal and counteract the thermal drift by moving, in cooperation with the pivot support and in response to the actuator drive signal, the optical element by an inverse amount and direction of the displacement of the optical element.

Abstract: A tracker laser rangefinder for detecting, targeting, locating or tracking an object in real time in a field of view, including a laser source arranged to generate and emit a laser at a first time in response to a laser trigger signal; a fast-scan mirror arranged to deflect and steer the laser to an object in a scan plane; a sensor arranged to receive a reflection of the laser from the object at a second time and output a return laser detection signal; and a controller arranged to receive the return laser detection signal and determine a first angle, a second angle and a range to the object. The angles can be based on a position of the fast-scan mirror and the range can be calculated based on a period of time.

Abstract: A system, device and methodology for detecting an object and its position in a field of view of a beam fan. The system can comprise a reflection detector sensor array arranged to detect a light beam reflected by an object impinged by a beam fan in the field of view and output a reflected beam position trigger signal; a line sensor arranged to capture an image of the reflected light beam and output beam reflection data corresponding to the light beam; an angle position sensor array arranged to detect an angle of the beam fan with respect to a central axis and output a beam fan position signal; and a speedup processor arranged to receive the reflected beam position trigger signal, receive the beam reflection data, receive the beam fan position signal, and output the beam reflection data to a central processor. A position of the object in the field of view can be determined based on the beam reflection data and beam fan position signal.

Abstract: An improved mirror-based assembly is provided. The mirror-based assembly has at least one mirror panel, at least one support member, and at least three connection regions between the at least one support member and the at least one mirror panel, comprising at least a first connection region comprising a miter joint connection region, at least a second connection region comprising a non-miter joint connection region, and at least a third connection region, wherein the at least one mirror panel is connected to the at least one support member to minimize thermal expansion or contraction of the at least one mirror panel and a method for assembling the same.

Abstract: An improved retroreflector assembly is provided. The retroreflector assembly has a retroreflector comprising three plates having optically flat reflective surfaces disposed at right angles to each other, wherein the retroreflector has a clear aperture distance, and an axis aligned equidistantly from the three plates and extending from a vertex of the retroreflector, a housing for receipt therein of the retroreflector, at least one mounting element extending from the retroreflector, wherein the mounting element at least partially secures the retroreflector to the housing, and a vertical height smaller in distance than the clear aperture distance in a direction parallel to the axis of the retroreflector, and a method for mounting the same.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting, an optical structure comprising at least two mirror panels secured in reflective relation to each other between upper and lower support members of the optical structure, is provided. The mount has a bracket element, comprising top and bottom panels secured along a back panel. There are at least six mounting pads, at least three attach portions of an outside surface of the upper support member of the optical structure to portions of an inside surface of the top panel of the bracket, and at least three attach portions of an outside surface of the lower support member of the optical structure to portions of an inside surface of the bottom panel of the bracket. The middle of the set of three top and bottom mounting pads are formed from polymeric material having a first Durometer value, and the two outer of the set of three top and bottom mounting pads are formed from polymeric material having a second Durometer value.

Abstract: A dynamic concentrator system having a concentrator lens, a tracker platform and a receiver. In an embodiment, the concentrator lens is configured to receive an incoming light at an entrance angle ? and concentrate the light beam on a focus spot. The tracker platform has a detector optical aperture and one or more actuators. The detector optical aperture can be configured to receive the concentrated light beam. The actuators can move the detector optical aperture in a spatial plane to a location of the focus spot. The receiver has a detector optically coupled to the detector optical aperture to receive the concentrated light beam from the detector optical aperture.

Abstract: An improved mirror-based assembly is provided. The mirror-based assembly has at least one mirror panel, at least one support member, and at least three connection regions between the at least one support member and the at least one mirror panel, comprising at least a first connection region comprising a miter joint connection region, at least a second connection region comprising a non-miter joint connection region, and at least a third connection region, wherein the at least one mirror panel is connected to the at least one support member to minimize thermal expansion or contraction of the at least one mirror panel and a method for assembling the same.

Abstract: An improved mount assembly for an optical structure, is provided. The mount assembly for the optical structure, comprising an optical structure comprising at least one mirror panel, the mirror panel comprising a reflective surface, a back surface substantially opposite the reflective surface and at least one side surface extending between the reflective and back surfaces, at least one mounting member extending from the optical structure, a housing for receipt therein of at least a portion of the optical structure and all of the mounting member extending from the optical structure, the housing having at least one opening therethrough, and at least one screw received and tightened within the at least one opening such that a first end of the screw presses against and at least partially secures the mounting member within the housing. A method for assembling the same is also provided.

Abstract: An improved retroreflector assembly is provided. The retroreflector assembly has a retroreflector comprising three plates having optically flat reflective surfaces disposed at right angles to each other, wherein the retroreflector has a clear aperture distance, and an axis aligned equidistantly from the three plates and extending from a vertex of the retroreflector, a housing for receipt therein of the retroreflector, at least one mounting element extending from the retroreflector, wherein the mounting element at least partially secures the retroreflector to the housing, and a vertical height smaller in distance than the clear aperture distance in a direction parallel to the axis of the retroreflector, and a method for mounting the same.

Abstract: An improved mirror-based assembly is provided. The mirror-based assembly has at least one mirror panel, at least one support member, and at least three connection regions between the at least one support member and the at least one mirror panel, comprising at least a first connection region comprising a miter joint connection region, at least a second connection region comprising a non-miter joint connection region, and at least a third connection region, wherein the at least one mirror panel is connected to the at least one support member to minimize thermal expansion or contraction of the at least one mirror panel and a method for assembling the same.

Abstract: An improved mount assembly for an optical structure, is provided. The mount assembly for the optical structure, comprising an optical structure comprising at least one mirror panel, the mirror panel comprising a reflective surface, a back surface substantially opposite the reflective surface and at least one side surface extending between the reflective and back surfaces, at least one mounting member extending from the optical structure, a housing for receipt therein of at least a portion of the optical structure and all of the mounting member extending from the optical structure, the housing having at least one opening therethrough, and at least one screw received and tightened within the at least one opening such that a first end of the screw presses against and at least partially secures the mounting member within the housing. A method for assembling the same is also provided.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting, an optical structure having a grooved/relieved protruding member with a damping ring therein or on is provided. The grooved/relieved protruding member may extend from the optical structure, and an upper element having a first opening extending therethrough may receive at least a portion of the grooved/relieved member in the first opening. The upper element may include second and third openings therein that operate along with the first opening and a tightening mechanism. Tightening of the tightening mechanism into at least one of the third opening and the second opening causes the ends of the head portions to draw toward each other so that the first opening of the upper element tightens around the at least a portion of the grooved/relieved protruding member.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting, an optical structure having a grooved/relieved protruding member is provided. The mount may have the grooved/relieved protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the grooved/relieved member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting, an optical structure having a grooved/relieved protruding member is provided. The mount may have the grooved/relieved protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the grooved/relieved member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end.

Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting, an optical structure having a grooved/relieved protruding member with a damping ring therein or on is provided. The grooved/relieved protruding member may extend from the optical structure, and an upper element having a first opening extending therethrough may receive at least a portion of the grooved/relieved member in the first opening. The upper element may include second and third openings therein that operate along with the first opening and a tightening mechanism. Tightening of the tightening mechanism into at least one of the third opening and the second opening causes the ends of the head portions to draw toward each other so that the first opening of the upper element tightens around the at least a portion of the grooved/relieved protruding member.