EP0405051A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multispectral band imaging and detecting device
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1990-01-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A multispectral band imaging and detecting device for use with a catoptric (10,18) zoom optical device having a focal plane (21). A plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors are provided that are sensitive to one or more portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. An optical bench has the plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors disposed thereon. A torque motor or the like is operatively connected to move the optical bench relative to the focal plane to move a selected one of the detectors into coincidence with the focal plane.
Inventors
- 👤 George T. Pinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/28; G01J3/2823; G02; G02B; G02B17/00; G02B17/02; G02B17/06; G02B17/0694; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/54; H04N23/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A catoptric optical device comprising: reflector set means for transforming received object energy into a real image of said object, said set means including a plurality of axially-spaced reflector means for coaxially receiving and reflecting said energy; magnifying means for selectively varying the focal length of said reflector set means; a plurality of spaced electromagnetic radiation detectors; means for mounting said plurality of detectors in a predetermined spaced array; means for moving said mounting means to selectively position a selected one of said detectors in alignment with the image generated by said reflector set means; and focusing means for selectively varying the axial distance between said reflector set means and said selected one of said detectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A catoptric optical device comprising: reflector set means for transforming received object energy into a real image of said object, said set means including a plurality of axially-spaced reflector means for coaxially receiving and reflecting said energy; magnifying means for selectively varying the focal length of said reflector set means; a plurality of spaced electromagnetic radiation detectors; means for mounting said plurality of detectors in a predetermined spaced array; means for moving said mounting means to selectively position a selected one of said detectors in alignment with the image generated by said reflector set means; and focusing means for selectively varying the axial distance between said reflector set means and said selected one of said detectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catoptric device of claim 1 wherein said magnifying means comprises means for selectively varying the relative axial spacing between said reflector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catoptric device of claims 1 or 2 wherein said focusing means comprises means for axially moving said reflector set means relative to said selected detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catoptric device of any one of the preceding claims wherein said focusing means comprises means for axially moving said mounting means relative to said reflector set means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The catoptric device of any one of the preceding claims also including means operatively connected to said magnifying means and to said focusing means for selectively controlling the axial position of each said reflector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The catoptric device of claim 5 wherein said controlling means comprises power means operatively supporting each said reflector means for axially moving said reflector means relative to each other and to said selected detector, microprocessor means operatively connected to said power means for directing axial movement of said reflector means to generate a focused image at said selected detector of desired magnification, and means in communication with said microprocessor means for sensing the axial position of each said reflector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
A catoptric optical device of claim 1 further comprising: a casing having an optical axis for containing said reflector set means; an optical bench having a face movable transverse to said axially-spaced reflective surfaces; means for moving said optical bench for positioning a selected one of said detectors in axial alignment with said plurality of axially-spaced reflectors; and means controlling said moving means for selectively axially displacing said reflective surfaces in fixed relative relation to focus said image in a focal plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The catoptric device of claim 7 also including means for axially moving said optical bench relative to said plurality of axially-spaced reflective surfaces to selectively move the selected one of said detectors relative to the real image of said object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catoptric device of claim 8 also including means in said casing for guidably supporting each of said reflective surface for axial movement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catoptric device of claims 8 or 9 wherein said moving means for each said reflectors includes a reversible motor means fixed in said casing and drivingly engaging said reflectors for axially moving said reflectors along said supporting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catoptric device of claim 10 wherein said motor means includes means for sensing and for communicating to said changing means and said displacing means the axial position in said casing of its respective reflective surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catoptric device of claim 11 wherein said changing means and said displacing means comprise microprocessor means disposed in said casing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The catoptric device of claim 12 also including means in communication with said microprocessor means for actuating said changing means and said displacing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
The catoptric device of any one of claims 7-13 wherein first, second, third and fourth reflectors are disposed in said casing, said first reflector being disposed for receiving said object energy and reflecting said energy to said second surface, said second reflector being disposed to reflect said energy through central openings in said first and fourth reflectors to said third reflector, said third reflector being disposed to reflect said energy to said fourth reflector axially disposed between said first and third reflectors, and said fourth reflector being disposed to reflect radiation to form an image on said selected detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A multispectral band imaging and detecting device for use with an optical system that forms an image of a scene being viewed, comprising: a plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors, each sensitive to one or more portions of the electromagnetic spectrum; an optical bench in adjustable spaced relation to the optical system, said plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors being disposed on said optical bench; and means for moving said optical bench relative to the image of the scene being viewed formed by the optical system to bring a selected one of said plurality of electromagnetic detectors into coincidence with the image formed by the optical system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
A multispectral band imaging and detecting device for use with an optical system that forms an image of a scene being viewed, comprising: a plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors, each sensitive to one or more portions of the electromagnetic spectrum; an optical bench in adjustable spaced relation to the optical system, said plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors being disposed on said optical bench; and means for moving said optical bench relative to the image of the scene being viewed formed by the optical system to bring a selected one of said plurality of electromagnetic detectors into coincidence with the image formed by the optical system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The multispectral band device as in claim 15 further including means for cooling each of said plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The multispectral band device as in claims 15 or 16 wherein said optical bench is substantially arcuate in shape and has an interior surface having a center of curvature, said plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors being disposed on said interior surface in spaced relation equidistant from said center of curvature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The multispectral band device as in claims 15 or 16 wherein said optical bench is circular in shape having first and second opposed surfaces and an axis of rotation, said plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors being disposed on said first surface in spaced relation equidistant from the axis of rotation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The multispectral band device as in claims 15 or 16 wherein said optical bench is of a rectangular shape having first and second opposed surfaces, said plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors being disposed on said first surface in a spaced relation along a line parallel to the direction of relative movement of the image and said optical bench.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The multispectral band device as in claim 17 wherein said moving means comprises: a motor operatively connected to said optical bench to rotate said optical bench about its center of curvature; and a device controller for actuating said motor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multispectral band device as in claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises: a motor operatively connected to said optical bench to rotate said optical bench about its axis of rotation; and a device controller for actuating said alignment torque motor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The multispectral band device as in claim 19 wherein said moving means comprises: a linear actuator operatively connected to the second surface of the optical bench to linearly reciprocate said optical bench; and a device controller for actuating said linear actuator in response to a signal thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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