Abstract: A low-profile fluid manifold includes a tunable passive flow control system through intricate internal flow channels. The low-profile fluid manifold is manufactured using stereolithography (SLA) additive manufacturing to rapidly produce and tune the intricate flow channels to achieve the desired flow characteristics. Further, SLA additive manufacturing is used to build up inlet and outlet orifices in the flow direction, creating sealing surfaces for parallel oriented seals and sealing surfaces. The low-profile fluid manifold is manufactured to be air and liquid tight at the required operating pressures, temperatures, and environments, without the use of traditional fittings.

Abstract: A low-profile fluid manifold includes a tunable passive flow control system through intricate internal flow channels. The low-profile fluid manifold is manufactured using stereolithography (SLA) additive manufacturing to rapidly produce and tune the intricate flow channels to achieve the desired flow characteristics. Further, SLA additive manufacturing is used to build up inlet and outlet orifices in the flow direction, creating sealing surfaces for parallel oriented seals and sealing surfaces. The low-profile fluid manifold is manufactured to be air and liquid tight at the required operating pressures, temperatures, and environments, without the use of traditional fittings.

Abstract: A system includes one or more lasers, a collimator, and a controller. The one or more lasers are configured to generate laser illumination. The collimator is configured to adjust at least one of a degree of collimation, a divergence, and an intensity of the laser illumination and to direct the laser illumination towards one or more targets. The controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator in order to adjust the laser illumination directed at the one or more targets, and the controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator differently in different operating modes. Example operating modes could include a spotlight mode, a single-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a multi-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a communication mode, and an infrared-based operation mode.

Abstract: An offset aperture two-axis gimbaled optical system comprises a two-axis gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on the inner gimbal and offset radially from the rotation axis of the outer gimbal. The optics assembly is suitably offset so that its optical aperture does not overlap the rotation axis of the outer gimbal and its optical aperture is symmetric about the rotation axis of the inner gimbal. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: An offset aperture gimbaled optical system comprises a gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on an inner gimbal and offset radially from an axis of symmetry (and rotation axis) of a conformal dome. An optical corrector adjacent the inner surface of the conformal dome encompasses the field-of-view of the optics assembly as the inner gimbal rotates about its rotation axis. The corrector is fixed with respect to the inner gimbal's rotation axis while it rotates about the axis of symmetry. The optical corrector comprises an aspheric transparent arch having an optical corrector shape and position responsive to a shape of the conformal dome at the offset position of the optics assembly. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: A system includes one or more lasers, a collimator, and a controller. The one or more lasers are configured to generate laser illumination. The collimator is configured to adjust at least one of a degree of collimation, a divergence, and an intensity of the laser illumination and to direct the laser illumination towards one or more targets. The controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator in order to adjust the laser illumination directed at the one or more targets, and the controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator differently in different operating modes. Example operating modes could include a spotlight mode, a single-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a multi-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a communication mode, and an infrared-based operation mode.

Abstract: An offset aperture two-axis gimbaled optical system comprises a two-axis gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on the inner gimbal and offset radially from the rotation axis of the outer gimbal. The optics assembly is suitably offset so that its optical aperture does not overlap the rotation axis of the outer gimbal and its optical aperture is symmetric about the rotation axis of the inner gimbal. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: An offset aperture gimbaled optical system comprises a gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on an inner gimbal and offset radially from an axis of symmetry (and rotation axis) of a conformal dome. An optical corrector adjacent the inner surface of the conformal dome encompasses the field-of-view of the optics assembly as the inner gimbal rotates about its rotation axis. The corrector is fixed with respect to the inner gimbal's rotation axis while it rotates about the axis of symmetry. The optical corrector comprises an aspheric transparent arch having an optical corrector shape and position responsive to a shape of the conformal dome at the offset position of the optics assembly. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: An off-axis reflective transmit telescope for a DIRCM system is mounted on the gimbal along a transmit-axis offset laterally from the optical axis of the receive telescope but nominally aligned with the line-of-sight of the receive telescope to transmit a laser beam. The telescope comprises an optical port optically coupled to a laser to receive and direct the laser beam away from the dome and a reflective optical assembly that reflects the laser beam through the dome. The reflective optical assembly comprises an off-axis mirror segment and a second optical element that together precompensate the laser beam for dome aberrations induced by the lateral offset of the transmit telescope's transmit axis from the optical axis. The off-axis mirror segment comprises a segment of a parent mirror having an aspheric curvature (e.g. parabolic, elliptical or higher-order asphere) about an axis of symmetry. The segment is offset so that it is not centered on the axis of symmetry of the parent mirror.

Abstract: An off-axis reflective transmit telescope for a DIRCM system is mounted on the gimbal along a transmit-axis offset laterally from the optical axis of the receive telescope but nominally aligned with the line-of-sight of the receive telescope to transmit a laser beam. The telescope comprises an optical port optically coupled to a laser to receive and direct the laser beam away from the dome and a reflective optical assembly that reflects the laser beam through the dome. The reflective optical assembly comprises an off-axis mirror segment and a second optical element that together precompensate the laser beam for dome aberrations induced by the lateral offset of the transmit telescope's transmit axis from the optical axis. The off-axis mirror segment comprises a segment of a parent mirror having an aspheric curvature (e.g. parabolic, elliptical or higher-order asphere) about an axis of symmetry. The segment is offset so that it is not centered on the axis of symmetry of the parent mirror.

Abstract: A missile defense system (20) for aircraft includes a laser (12) for generating infrared light, a turret (22) that can direct the light toward a missile to blind its infrared sensors, and an optical fiber (14) for delivering the light to the turret (22). The system (20) includes a coupling device (10) for directing the light from the laser (12) into the optical fiber (14). The coupling device (10) includes a light-guiding assembly (24) with one or more lenses or other optical devices to direct the light into the optical fiber (14). The coupling device (10) also isolates the input end of the optical fiber (14) from the environment with an optically-transparent window (26) and provides a way to use a different light-guiding assembly (24) with different lasers (12). The window (26) isolates the end of the fiber (14) from any contaminants in the environment to keep the optical fiber (14) relatively clean, and thereby provide a suitable surface for the light to enter the fiber (14).