DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPON USING A PLURALITY OF LASERS
I filed this provisional application on 9/1/2017.
Although the Filing Receipt does not have a Foreign Filing License, as of this date (November 10, 2017) there is no evidence in PAIR that it has been sent out for a Security Review.
I have spent a large number of hours on the phone with a number of people at the Patent Office asking that they provide that evidence. That includes Licensing & Review, the Application Assistance Unit, and the Office of the Commissioner. All I have gotten is the runaround and outright lies, especially from the Application Assistance Unit and from Licensing and Review.
Therefore I am posting the provisional application now.
If it has been sent out for a Security Review and if a Secrecy Order is issued, then fuck ‘em.
As of November 10, 2017 these are the:
The following is an html version of the provisional application.
Jed Margolin
November 10, 2017
|
It is now the end of July 2018. No Secrecy Order has been issued and there is no indication that it was ever even sent out for a Security Review. Here is the current Transaction History.
Since it is now more than six months since I filed the provisional application no foreign filing license is needed. See 37 C.F.R. § 5.11 .
Why would these assholes at the Patent Office fuck with me?
1. Because they can.
2. Because I am on the Patent Office Shit List.
That’s ok. They are on my Shit List, especially Tashiana Adams in Licensing & Review.
I
have listed this Provisional Application for sale on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/163173196681 If
you buy it you would have to file a non-provisional application by September
1, 2018. Unless
you are a Patent Attorney (or Patent Agent) you will need one to do it for
you. You
won’t have much time so I am posting the Patent Application (with claims)
that I would file if I were to go ahead and file it. I
cannot guarantee that the patent examiner will allow the claims. Even patent
attorneys/agents do not guarantee that their claims will be allowed. And,
if you file an application I will provide you with a PETITION TO MAKE SPECIAL
BASED ON AGE FOR ADVANCEMENT OF EXAMINATION UNDER 37 CFR 1.102(c)(1). This is
form SB130. Don’t
wait too long. I am not getting any younger. Jed Margolin 8/4/2018
|
UNITED STATES PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT
FOR
DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPON USING A PLURALITY OF LASERS
INVENTOR: JED MARGOLIN
DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPON USING A PLURALITY OF LASERS
[001] This invention relates to the field of directed energy weapons and, in particular, to the use of lasers as a directed energy weapon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION – Prior Art
[002] A directed energy weapon using a laser at or near sea level has the problem that when the laser power is high enough to be useful the laser energy ionizes the atmosphere and defocuses the beam. This appears to be one of the reasons that the mega-watt class chemical oxygen-iodine laser (Coil) used by the now-canceled Airborne Laser was not used in a ground installation. A ground installation would have avoided the expense and space constraints of the 747 aircraft and, as a speed-of-light system, would have been more reliable than the THAAD kinetic-kill system.
[003] The use of a laser for long distances in atmosphere requires that the beam be corrected for atmospheric turbulence. An example of a such an adaptive optics system is the system developed for the Airborne Laser. (See Ref. 1: Atmospheric Compensation and Tracking Using Active Illumination by Charles Higgs, Herbert T. Barclay, Daniel V. Murphy, and Charles A. Primmerman; Volume 11, Number 1, 1998 Lincoln Laboratory Journal.)
OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES
[004] In a world where rogue nations such as North Korea and Iran are developing long-range missiles with nuclear weapons payloads there is a need to have a laser-based directed energy weapon that can send its destructive energy at or near sea level without ionizing the atmosphere thereby defocusing the laser beam. With the present invention a ground installation can destroy or disable incoming aircraft and missiles. The system can also be deployed in an aircraft or an orbiting satellite to destroy or disable missiles either during their pre-launch phase, launch phase, or during their descent. The system deployed in an aircraft or an orbiting satellite can also destroy or disable ground targets. The system can also be used to produce an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) at the target.
[005] There is also a problem in destroying or disabling the small consumer drones that have become popular (and a problem). The term “drone” originally meant a remote-controlled aircraft usually used for target practice. Many of these drones were obsolete aircraft outfitted with a remote control system. As the technology evolved into systems that could be used for reconnaissance and then for armed strikes the term evolved into Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV), Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROA), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Now it is back to “drones” again and they do not even have to be remotely operated other than by setting the GPS coordinates of their destination.
Hobbyists are flying drones near airports jeopardizing the safety of aircraft. See Ref. 2 from the Washington Post: FAA records detail hundreds of close calls between airplanes and drones.
Hobbyists flying their drones to capture photos or video of fires have caused firefighting efforts to slow down or even stop. See Ref. 3.
Consumer drones are also being used to invade people’s privacy. See Ref. 4 from the Santa Clara High Technology Law Journal, Volume 33 Issue 2 Article 3, 1-3-2017, Drones and Privacy in the Golden State by Brandon Gonzalez:
The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has signaled that it does not intend to regulate
issues unrelated to drone flight and safety. Therefore, issues such as privacy
will be left to the states to regulate. As a result, lawmakers in
Whatever laws
Besides, laws are for honest people. And while there do not appear to be instances of domestic terrorists using drones it is only a matter of time before they do.
The only real solution to dealing with miscreant drones is to destroy or disable them. The USAF would like the authority to do just that. See Ref 6: USAF Wants Authority To Down Drones After F-22 Near Miss; Lara Seligman; Aerospace Daily & Defense Report; July 12, 2017.
[006] While consumer drones operate at a low altitude where they are sometimes within range of a good civilian firearm a shot that misses will continue on its ballistic trajectory and come down in a civilian area where it can cause death or injury to civilians or damage to civilian property.
A high power laser that misses will continue on where it could do damage. However, a shot from the ground is less likely to cause damage to people and objects on the ground. The primary danger is to piloted aircraft in the air. Also, the amount of laser power needed to blind or damage the sensors used in consumer drones is much less than the power needed to destroy or disable a real aircraft or a missile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In a first preferred embodiment a plurality of lasers are arranged in a circle where the power of each laser is below the atmospheric ionization threshold and where each laser is aimed to converge on a target using its own 2-axis mirror. An example of such a system uses 36 100kw lasers to produce a 3.6 Megawatt laser system. The system is mounted on a platform base that allows the elevation and azimuth of the laser system to be aimed at the target. A thermal imager can be used to provide the fine adjustment of the lasers since the point of convergence will ionize the atmosphere producing a very high temperature. As such it can be considered an adaptive optics system that corrects for atmospheric turbulence without requiring a separate guide laser. The point of convergence does not have to be on the target itself. For example, ionizing the atmosphere in the path of the target will create an atmospheric disturbance that may disrupt the aerodynamics of the target, especially a small target like a consumer drone.
When the system is operated in continuous mode (or in long bursts) the laser power will destroy or disable the target. When the system is used to produce a short high intensity pulse at or near the target the rapid ionization of the atmosphere will produce an electromagnetic pulse (EMP ). This is done by either pulsing the lasers or by having the lasers rapidly converge to produce a pulse with a fast risetime. The pulse can be relatively short making it possible to operate the system at a low duty cycle. This allows the system to use a temporary energy storage system such as a capacitor bank or flywheel energy storage to reduce the demands on the system power source. This mode also reduces the cooling requirements for the lasers. When aimed at a ground target the EMP will penetrate the ground to disable a buried facility that has not been properly hardened against an EMP.
[008] In a second preferred embodiment the plurality of lasers are arranged in a line instead of a circle as in the first embodiment. Other arrangements of the lasers are possible as well.
[009] In a third preferred embodiment the first embodiment is augmented to reduce the chance that the laser strike will hit a friendly either directly or as the laser beams continue on their way after missing the target. This augmentation uses the GPS coordinates of the laser array and the GPS coordinates of all aircraft in the vicinity including consumer drones (friendly or not). When a friendly aircraft or drone is in the path of the proposed laser strike then the shot must not be taken. At the speeds of friendly aircraft and unfriendly consumer drones it will not be long before another targeting solution will present itself. In addition the Digital Terrain Elevation Database can be used so that shots will not be taken if the laser strike will hit terrain. This is useful in areas that are surrounded by mountains. This can also be augmented in areas with buildings or other structures by adding the buildings and other structures to the database. This also makes it possible to use the laser weapon that is not located directly on the ground. Because of the possibility of mountain terrain it is not sufficient that the laser array be at an altitude that is lower than the target’s altitude.
[010] In a fourth preferred embodiment the second embodiment is augmented as in the third embodiment.
[011] There is also the problem of detecting and locating consumer drones. Since the FAA (when authorized by Congress) can mandate safety standards for consumer drones it can require that consumer drones be equipped with a system similar to the current ADS-B system. However, it cannot be the same ADS-B system as it is currently constituted since the large number of consumer drones could overwhelm the system with the sheer number of transmissions.
Therefore it is proposed that a Drone ADS-B system use a different frequency and further, that the data rate be substantially increased to improve the accuracy of the system for verifying Drone ADS-B transmissions taught, for example, in U.S. Patent 9,465,104 ADS-B Radar by the current Applicant. (Ref. 5). This will make it easier for drones to detect and locate other drones as well as aircraft.
[012] To improve the chances of detecting a rogue consumer drone, infrared thermal imaging can be used to detect and locate drones at night. To detect and locate drones when the Sun is shining consumer drones can be mandated to have a minimum UV reflectivity so they can be detected and located with UV imaging. The UV reflectivity can occur simply because of the UV reflectivity of the materials used in the drone or a UV reflecting coating can be added. There may be times during daylight when the Sun is obscured by clouds so that drones can be detected and located by infrared thermal imaging during those times.
[013] Figure 1A is a general illustration showing the side view of a laser module consisting of a laser, a mirror, and a 2-axis mirror positioner.
[014] Figure 1B is a general illustration showing the top view of a laser module and the mirror. The mirror positioner is below the mirror and is not shown.
[015] Figure 2A is a general illustration showing the top view of a laser platform containing four laser modules arranged in a circle.
[016] Figure 2B is a general illustration showing the laser platform in Figure 2A on a base to provide azimuth and elevation control of the laser platform.
[017] Figure 3 is a general illustration showing the system in Figure 2A with a thermal imager.
[018] Figure 4A is a general illustration showing the top view of a laser platform containing four laser modules and a thermal imager arranged in a line.
[019] Figure 4B is a general illustration showing the laser platform in Figure 4A on a base to provide azimuth and elevation control of the laser platform.
[020] Figure 5A is a general illustration showing the Laser Module Controller for the Laser Module.
[022] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention.
[023] The first embodiment uses a plurality of lasers arranged in a circle where the power of each laser is below the atmospheric ionization threshold and where each laser is aimed to converge on a target using its own 2-axis mirror. Figure 1A is a side view showing Laser Module 101 consisting of Laser 102, Mirror 104, and 2-Axis Mirror Positioner 105. This produces the aimable Laser Beam 103. Figure 1B shows a top view of Laser Module 101. The 2-Axis Mirror Positioner is mostly behind Mirror 104 and for clarity is not shown. Laser Beam 103 is coming out of the page.
Figure 2A shows four Laser Modules (Laser Modules 202, 203, 204, and 205) mounted on Laser Platform 201 arranged in a circle in a top view. For clarity only four Laser Modules are being used here.
Figure 2B shows Laser Platform 201 mounted on Azimuth-Elevation Mount 206. This allows the array of Laser Modules (Laser Array) to point at Target 207. The mirrors in the Laser Modules (202, 203, 204, and 205) cause the laser beams to converge on Target 207.
Figure 3 shows the addition of Thermal Imager 302 to the system producing Laser Platform 301. Thermal Imager 302 is used to provide the fine adjustment of the lasers since the point of convergence will ionize the atmosphere producing a very high temperature. It also allows for the correct for atmospheric turbulence.
[024] The second embodiment uses a plurality of lasers arranged in a line where the power of each laser is below the atmospheric ionization threshold and where each laser is aimed to converge on a target using its own 2-axis mirror. Figure 4 shows four Laser Modules (Laser Modules 402, 403, 404, and 405) mounted on Laser Platform 401 arranged in a line in a top view. For clarity only four Laser Modules are being used here. Also shown is Thermal Imager 406 for providing the fine adjustment of the lasers as well as for allowing for corrections for atmospheric turbulence.
Figure 4B shows Laser Platform 401 mounted on Azimuth-Elevation Mount 406. This allows the array of Laser Modules (Laser Array) to point at Target 207. The mirrors in the Laser Modules (402, 403, 404, and 405) cause the laser beams to converge on Target 207. Figure 4B also shows Thermal Imager 406 in the system which is used to provide the fine adjustment of the lasers since the point of convergence will ionize the atmosphere producing a very high temperature. It also allows for the correct for atmospheric turbulence. Thermal Imager 406 can be omitted for some uses such as when the system is to be used for short distances only and when system calibration can be relied upon not to drift.
[025] In Figure 5A each Laser Module 101 has associated with it Laser Module Controller 501. Laser Module Controller 501 contains a Laser Power Supply and Controller for Laser 102 and a Controller for 2-Axis Positioner for 2-Axis Mirror Positioner 105.
[026] Figure 5B is the complete operating system for the first embodiment. Laser Module Controller 502 controls Laser Module 202, Laser Module Controller 503 controls Laser Module 203, Laser Module Controller 504 controls Laser Module 204, and Laser Module Controller 505 controls Laser Module 205. All are under the control of Master Controller 506. Master Controller 506 also controls Azimuth-Elevation Controller 512.
Master Controller 506 receives inputs from Drone ADS-B 511 system, standard ADS-B 510 system, the Digital Terrain Elevation Database 509, GPS 508 system, Thermal Imager 302, and Command Inputs 507. Command Inputs 507 include commands such as pointing at the target and firing the lasers. The lasers can be fired with a long duty cycle to destroy the target and/or a short pulse to create an EMP at or near the target. It is expected that Command Inputs 507 will be issued by a human operator either directly or indirectly such as when there are a plurality of Directed Energy Weapons using a Plurality of Lasers in a defense grid.
The second embodiment which uses a plurality of lasers arranged in a line instead of a circle uses a control system substantially the same as in Figure 5B.
[027] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown, it is to be expressly understood that modifications and changes may be made thereto.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A directed energy weapon using a laser at or near sea level has the problem that when the laser power is high enough to be useful the laser energy ionizes the atmosphere and defocuses the beam. The solution to this problem is to use a plurality of lasers preferably arranged either in a circle or in a line where the power of each laser is below the atmospheric ionization threshold and where the lasers are aimed to converge on the target. As an alternative the lasers can be configured to produce a short high intensity ionization pulse to produce an electromagnetic pulse at or near the target.
References
Ref. 1: Atmospheric Compensation and Tracking Using Active Illumination by Charles Higgs, Herbert T. Barclay, Daniel V. Murphy, and Charles A. Primmerman; Volume 11, Number 1, 1998 Lincoln Laboratory Journal: www.ll.mit.edu/publications/journal/pdf/vol11_no1/11_1atmosphericcompen.pdf .
Ref. 2: FAA records detail hundreds of close calls between airplanes and drones; Craig Whitlock; Washington Post, August 20, 2015.
Ref. 3:
Hobbyists flying their drones to capture photos or video of fires have
caused firefighting efforts to slow down or even stop. From: ABC15(TV)
Ref. 4: Santa Clara High Technology Law Journal, Volume 33 Issue 2 Article 3, 1-3-2017, Drones and Privacy in the Golden State by Brandon Gonzalez: http://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/chtlj/vol33/iss2/3/
Ref. 5:
Ref 6: USAF Wants Authority To Down Drones After F-22 Near Miss, Lara Seligman; Aerospace Daily & Defense Report; July 12, 2017.
Ref 7: Hunting For Heat - Infrared low-observability in theory and practice; Daniel Katz, Aviation Week & Space Technology; July 10-23, 2017.
.end