WATER CATCHER FOR BEACON

Abstract

A beacon with a preferably anodized aluminum body, cylindrical in shape, and threaded. The exact diameter and thread size of a water catcher cap is defined by the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon it threads onto. The accompanying component male thread allows the water catching cover to be threaded down completely for when the MWIR/LWIR beacon is powered on, thus creating an IR iris for the beacon emission, also while cooling the MWIR/LWIR beacon by being able to capture water within its open space cavity between the accompanying component and the water catching cover wall. Further in a wet environment, the open nature of the water catching cover permits rapid quenching by ambient water and refill of water catcher. Alternatively, when thread in the upmost position it protects the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon point of emission.

Claims

1. A device that is designed to protect and cool an accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon comprising any of: an attachment point and/or grooved outer wall design such that a gloved hand can handle it and easily rotate it and/or female threads and wall height as defined by accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon and/or shelf spacing to capture water for cooling of the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon.

2. A MWIR/LWIR beacon comprising a quantum cascade laser; an axicon for reflecting light from the laser to create a beacon; and a cover with a lanyard attachment point and/or a grooved outer wall design such that a gloved hand can handle it and easily rotate it.

3. A MWIR/LWIR beacon comprising a quantum cascade laser; an axicon for reflecting light from the laser to create a beacon; and a cover with female threads and wall height and shelf spacing to water capture for cooling of the MWIR/LWIR beacon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1A is a side perspective views showing a beacon powered off and FIG. 1B is a side perspective view showing the beacon powered on;

[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B are a side plan view and a side cross sectional view of the beacon;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the water catching cover with a lanyard attachment point according to the invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water catching cover; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is a top down view of the water catching cover.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention relates to a MWIR/LWIR beacon's anodized aluminum body, which is cylindrical in shape, and threaded, although other materials are suitable for this application. The exact diameter and female thread size of the inventive water catching cover 9 is dictated by the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon it threads onto. The accompanying component male threads 112 on the outer wall of the beacon 50 allows the water catching cover 9 to be rotated down completely by virtue of its female threads 116 on its lower end. When the MWIR/LWIR beacon is powered on, an emission iris is created for the beacon emission, also while cooling the MWIR/LWIR beacon by being able to capture water within its open space cavity or reservoir 110 between the outer wall 112 of the beacon's main body and the water catching cover's inner wall 112. Alternatively, when thread in the upmost position it protects the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon point of emission.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the water catching cover 9 with the lanyard attachment point 120.

[0017] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the water catching cover 9 showing its inner wall 112, shelf 122 and its female threads 116 that engage the male threads 112 on the outer wall of the beacon 50.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a top down view showing the grip design on the outer periphery of the cover 9 that enables the users to easily thread the cap up and down both bare handed and with gloves on.

[0019] The attachment point 120, such as a lanyard, is useful for a wet environment, for example. The possible conditions could be cold, dark, and slippery for the MWIR/LWIR beacon 50, and handling it could be difficult without dropping or an accompanying fixture. This attachment point 120 allows the MWIR/LWIR beacon 50 to be attached to the user. This reduces the risk of damage or loss of the MWIR/LWIR beacon due to accidental dropping of it.

[0020] The water catching cover 9 is designed to be threaded onto the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon 50. The female thread size and length are defined by the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon male thread. The water catching cover 9 is meant to be threaded on such that the water catching cover can also protect the MWIR/LWIR beacon 50 when turned off or not in-use. When the MWIR/LWIR beacon is not in-use, the water catching cover 9 should be threaded to the upmost position to protect the point of emission of the MWIR/LWIR beacon, the point of emission is the most critical and likely the most fragile point of the MWIR/LWIR beacon. When thread in the up-most position, the water catching cover 50 should fully cover the point of emission and become the high-point of the assembly. This will make it the first point of contact in case of an accidental forceful contact, such as dropping it, in both a position where the MW/LWIR beacon is parallel or perpendicular to the point of contact.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows the shelf 122 of the water catching cover 9, this spacing from the threads which mate with the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon to the internal wall of the water catching cover. The shelf 122 creates a space for water to fill when water catching cover is fully threaded down and the MWIR/LWIR beacon is in operation. The shelf 122 is also what allows for a simple mechanical stop by the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon at both the upmost position and fully threaded down position. Additionally, the height of the water catching cover wall 112 is defined by the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon such that the height is defined to create a bottom iris relative to the MWIR/LWIR beacon's emission. Also captured in this view is the grip design structure of the outer wall, this is to allow for easy threading up and down of the water catching cover by any user, including when the user is wearing gloves. In general, according to one aspect, the invention features.

[0022] While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.