US3604932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared optical scanning system comprising a rotatable faceted mirror having inclined facets
Assignee: NAT RES DEV
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Filing: 1970-02-27
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1990-02-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical scanning system incorporates a rotatable faceted mirror with facets inclined to the rotation axis. The mirror is arranged substantially centrally with respect to a ring of imaging elements, e.g. concave mirrors, with one imaging element corresponding to each facet. The imaging elements are rotated synchronously with the faceted mirror so that each in turn is operative in conjunction with the corresponding facet to effect a line scan, the optical path extending from the faceted mirror parallel to the rotation axis towards a detector or a light source, preferably via a fixed optical relay system. The scanning system is particularly applicable to infrared thermography, and for this purpose may incorporate self-calibrating arrangements utilizing internal radiation sources.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan David Beach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/04; G01J5/047; G01J5/07; G01J5/08; G01J5/0814; H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An optical scanning system comprising an array of imaging elements disposed in a ring, a faceted mirror having dimensions small compared with the diameter of the ring and disposed substantially centrally with respect to the ring, the facets of the mirror respectively facing the imaging elements and being inclined to the axis of the ring at an angle such that the reflection of the optical axis of each imaging element in the corresponding a direction parallel to the axis of the ring, and means for rotating the array of imaging elements about the axis of the ring and for synchronously rotating the faceted mirror so that each facet in turn passes through a position in which the reflection in the facet of the optical axis of the corresponding imaging element coincides with a given axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An optical scanning system comprising an array of imaging elements disposed in a ring, a faceted mirror having dimensions small compared with the diameter of the ring and disposed substantially centrally with respect to the ring, the facets of the mirror respectively facing the imaging elements and being inclined to the axis of the ring at an angle such that the reflection of the optical axis of each imaging element in the corresponding a direction parallel to the axis of the ring, and means for rotating the array of imaging elements about the axis of the ring and for synchronously rotating the faceted mirror so that each facet in turn passes through a position in which the reflection in the facet of the optical axis of the corresponding imaging element coincides with a given axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A scanning system according to claim 1, in which said facets inclined at an angle of 45* to the axis of the ring, the optical axes of the imaging elements being normal to the axis of the ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A scanning system according to claim 1, in which the imaging elements are concave mirrors facing the axis of the ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A scanning system according to claim 3, further comprising a plane mirror disposed within the ring to transmit light between an area being scanned and the concave mirrors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A scanning system according to claim 4, in which said plane mirror is tiltable about an axis normal to the axis of the ring to provide a frame scan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A scanning system according to claim 1, further comprising a detector sensitive to infrared to receive radiation directed on to the imaging elements and reflected by the faceted mirror along said given axis
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A scanning system according to claim 6, further comprising an optical relay means arranged optically between the faceted mirror and the detector for imaging a sensitive element of adjacent the facets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scanning system according to claim 7, in which the optical relay means has a larger aperture than that of each imaging element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A scanning system according to claim 6, further comprising reference means for intermittently directing on to the detector radiation of know temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A scanning system according to claim 1, in which the faceted mirror is disposed symmetrically with respect to the ring and is rotatable about the axis of the ring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A scanning system according to claim 1, in which the faceted mirror is disposed eccentrically with respect to the ring by an amount such that said given axis coincides with the axis of the ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |