Safety assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023184519-A1
Application number	US-202117924397-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 10, 2021
Priority date	May 12, 2020
Publication date	Jun 15, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A safety assembly for use with a laser-directed energy weapon is disclosed. The assembly comprises a control system comprising a photodetector and a processing unit; and an optical device configured to attach to a target such that, when attached, the optical device provides a light beam to the photodetector. The processing unit is arranged to compare the received light beam against one or more predetermined attributes, and to permit the laser-directed energy weapon to fire only when the received light beam is determined to have the one or more attributes.

First claim

1 . A safety assembly for use with a laser-directed energy weapon, the safety assembly comprising:
a control system comprising a photodetector and a processing unit; an optical device configured to attach to a target such that, when attached, the optical device provides a light beam to the photodetector; the processing unit being arranged to compare the received light beam against one or more predetermined attributes, and to permit the laser-directed energy weapon to fire only when the received light beam is determined to have the one or more attributes.

2 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is arranged to prevent the laser-directed energy weapon from firing when no light beam is received.

3 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the optical device is configured to provide a light beam continuously to the photodetector.

4 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the optical device comprises a light source.

5 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the optical device comprises a retro-reflector, and wherein the control system comprises a light source, and wherein when attached to the target, the optical device provides a reflected light beam to the photodetector.

6 . A safety assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the light source is a laser diode configured to emit a frequency modulated light beam.

7 . A safety assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the processing unit is arranged to demodulate the light beam received by the photodetector.

8 . A safety assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the laser diode is configured to emit light with a modulation frequency in excess of 100 Hz.

9 . A safety assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the laser diode is configured such that in use, the emitted light has a wavelength distinct from the wavelengths of a main laser comprised in the laser-directed energy weapon.

10 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the optical device is configured to provide a wide-angle light beam.

11 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the control system comprises one or more dichroic mirrors.

12 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is arranged to output a PERMIT signal upon determining that the received light beam has the one or more attributes and to not output a PERMIT signal in the absence of such a determination.

13 . A safety assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the processing unit is arranged to output an INHIBIT signal in the absence of such a determination.

14 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the control system further comprises an aperture arranged with respect to the photodetector to constrict the photodetector field of view.

15 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the safety assembly is configured to attach to a laser-directed energy weapon, such that when attached, the photodetector field of view aligns with the laser-directed energy weapon boresight.

16 . A safety assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the safety assembly comprises a radio frequency emitter associated with the control system, and a radio frequency receiver associated with the optical device, the radio frequency emitter and receiver being arranged in use to emit and receive respectively a specific frequency signal, wherein in the absence of receipt of the specific frequency signal the light source is disabled.

17 . A safety assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising the target.

18 . (canceled)

19 . (canceled)

20 . (canceled)

21 . A laser-directed energy weapon safety system comprising:
a main laser configured to fire towards a target; a control system comprising a photodetector and a processing unit; an optical device, configured to attach to the target, such that when attached, the optical device provides a light beam to the photodetector;
the processing unit being arranged to compare the received light beam against one or more predetermined attributes, and to permit the laser-directed energy weapon to fire only when the received light beam is determined to have the one or more attributes.

22 . A method of preventing firing of a laser-directed energy weapon, including the steps of:
attaching an optical device to a target; attaching a photodetector to the laser-directed energy weapon; providing a light beam from the optical device to the photodetector; comparing the light beam received by the photodetector against one or more attributes;
wherein only upon determining that the light beam has the one or more attributes, permitting the laser-directed energy weapon to fire.

23 . A method according to claim 22 , wherein permitting the laser-directed energy weapon to fire comprises outputting a PERMIT signal from the processing unit.

Assignees

• Mbda Uk Ltd

Inventors

• Peters Andrew
• Daw Jon
• Jennings Martyn Robert
• Halstead William Michael George
• Bridgewater Colin
• Owen Mark

Classifications

• F41A17/063

  comprising a transponder · CPC title

• F41G3/2683

  with reflection of the beam on the target back to the weapon · CPC title

• H01S5/0028

  Laser diodes used as detectors · CPC title

• F41A33/02

  Light- or radiation-emitting guns {; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser} · CPC title

• F41H13/0062 Primary

  causing structural damage to the target · CPC title