US3614205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-channel optical transmitter
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1965-03-26
•
Granted: 1971-10-19
•
Expires: 1985-03-26
Abstract
Abstract An optical prism system for obtaining two separate light beams by collimating light from a single source, and projecting it through a beam forming and folding light guide prism which forms the light into two separate fields of view.
Inventors
- 👤 Wesley H Whitman Jr
- 👤 Richard D Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B19/00; G02B19/0033; G02B19/0047; G02B19/0071; G02B19/0004; G02B19/0019; G02B19/0023; G02B27/00; G02B27/10; G02B27/14; G02B27/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
In a two-channel optical transmitter for complete azimuthal coverage comprising a housing, a light source and a plurality of prism systems and transmitter windows, each prism system comprising: a. a light pipe of material transparent to the wavelength of radiant energy to be transmitted therethrough, b. entrance and exit surfaces to said light pipe being flat and parallel to each other, c. a first pair of side surfaces being flat and parallel to each other, and perpendicular to said entrance and exit surfaces, d. first and second parabolic collimating surfaces and first and second flat folding mirror surfaces forming the other sides of said light pipe, e. each of said surfaces being polished and all but said entrance and exit surfaces being mirrored, f. said parabolic surfaces each being on opposite sides of said light pipe and perpendicular to said first pair of parallel side surfaces, g. said folding mirror surfaces each being on opposite sides of said light pipe and perpendicular to said first pair of parallel side surfaces, h. said first parabolic surface and said first folding mirror surface each being opposite each other and adjacent said entrance surface, i. said second parabolic surface and said second folding mirror surface each being opposite each other and adjacent said exit surface, j. said first parabolic surface being adjacent said second folding mirror surface, and said first folding mirror surface being adjacent said second parabolic surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
In a two-channel optical transmitter for complete azimuthal coverage comprising a housing, a light source and a plurality of prism systems and transmitter windows, each prism system comprising: a. a light pipe of material transparent to the wavelength of radiant energy to be transmitted therethrough, b. entrance and exit surfaces to said light pipe being flat and parallel to each other, c. a first pair of side surfaces being flat and parallel to each other, and perpendicular to said entrance and exit surfaces, d. first and second parabolic collimating surfaces and first and second flat folding mirror surfaces forming the other sides of said light pipe, e. each of said surfaces being polished and all but said entrance and exit surfaces being mirrored, f. said parabolic surfaces each being on opposite sides of said light pipe and perpendicular to said first pair of parallel side surfaces, g. said folding mirror surfaces each being on opposite sides of said light pipe and perpendicular to said first pair of parallel side surfaces, h. said first parabolic surface and said first folding mirror surface each being opposite each other and adjacent said entrance surface, i. said second parabolic surface and said second folding mirror surface each being opposite each other and adjacent said exit surface, j. said first parabolic surface being adjacent said second folding mirror surface, and said first folding mirror surface being adjacent said second parabolic surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A prism system as in claim 1 wherein in cross section said light pipe subtends an angle of 90* at the light source and four such prism systems give 360* coverage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A prism system as in claim 1 wherein in cross section said light pipe subtends an angle of 90* at the light source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3328589A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |