US 12,032,199 B2
Systems and methods for optical sensor protection
Robert Matthew Panas, Dublin, CA (US); Robert S. Mchenry, San Francisco, CA (US); and Gerald P. Uyeno, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Livermore, CA (US); Bright Silicon Technologies, Inc., San Francisco, CA (US); and Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Livermore, CA (US); Bright Silicon Technologies, Inc., San Francisco, CA (US); and Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed on Apr. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/725,030.
Prior Publication US 2023/0341617 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. F21V 8/00 (2006.01); G02B 6/32 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/0093 (2013.01) [G02B 6/0031 (2013.01); G02B 6/325 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical sensor protection system, comprising:
a sensor for receiving an incoming optical signal;
a passive sensing and modulation component configured to sense when a first characteristic is associated with the incoming optical signal is present that adversely affects operation of the sensor, and redirects at least a portion of the incoming optical signal thereof away from the sensor to thus reduce an intensity of the incoming optical signal reaching the sensor, the sensor being located on an image plane downstream of the passive sensing and modulation component, relative to a path of travel of the incoming optical signal; and
an active sensing and modulation subsystem located upstream of the passive sensing and modulation component relative to the path of travel of the incoming optical signal and further being located on a conjugate image plane with the sensor, and configured to use the redirected portion of the incoming optical signal as feedback in controlling modulation of the incoming optical signal by an active modulation component located at a conjugate image plane with the sensor, upstream from the sensor and the passive sensing and modulation component, to reduce a risk of damage to the passive sensing and modulation component.