US3728545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared imaging apparatus
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-28
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1991-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An infrared scanning system comprising input optics including objective and field lenses, output optics including a relay lens and a linear array of detectors, a scanner including a hollow inwardly reflecting polygonal prism rotated about its longitudinal axis, which is aligned with the axis of the input optics, and further optical components including a relay lens, a strip mirror, and first and second folding mirrors, which are contained within the outline of the prism, and with respect to which the prism rotates.
Inventors
- 👤 I Abel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:06
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
Means for scanning the field of view along a line of sight comprising, in combination: a hollow scanning drum rotatable about a first axis including a plurality of inwardly reflecting surfaces substantially parallel to said axis; means causing rotation of said drum; first optical means including a first stationary folding mirror, fixed with respect to said drum and positioned to direct optically reflectable radiation having the direction of said line of sight to impinge convergingly on said reflecting surfaces successively as said drum rotates; a linear array of radiation detectors fixed with respect to said drum; and second optical means, including a second stationary folding mirror, fixed with respect to said drum and arranged to receive radiation reflected from said surfaces and direct it toward said array, whereby during rotation of said drum successive images of said field of view sweep traversely across said array, to produce varying outputs from said light detectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
Means for scanning the field of view along a line of sight comprising, in combination: a hollow scanning drum rotatable about a first axis including a plurality of inwardly reflecting surfaces substantially parallel to said axis; means causing rotation of said drum; first optical means including a first stationary folding mirror, fixed with respect to said drum and positioned to direct optically reflectable radiation having the direction of said line of sight to impinge convergingly on said reflecting surfaces successively as said drum rotates; a linear array of radiation detectors fixed with respect to said drum; and second optical means, including a second stationary folding mirror, fixed with respect to said drum and arranged to receive radiation reflected from said surfaces and direct it toward said array, whereby during rotation of said drum successive images of said field of view sweep traversely across said array, to produce varying outputs from said light detectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus accordiNg to claim 1 in which said surfaces are plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said surfaces are symmetrical about said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said surfaces jointly define a regular polyhedral prism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first optical means also includes lens means for causing said radiation to impinge convergingly on said surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said first and second optical means are contained within the outline of said drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said detectors are outside the outline of said drum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said second optical means also includes a further reflector lying in the path of radiation between said first folding mirror and said drum, said further reflector being of limited transverse dimension to cause minimum obscuration of said light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said further reflector is a portion of the surface of a cylinder of which the axis lies in a plane perpendicular to said first axis, and which is tangent to said first axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including further means for causing said reflected radiation to image on said array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said lens means includes a relay lens located within the outline of said drum between said first folding mirror and said surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said further means includes a strip mirror located within the outline of said drum and a relay lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said surfaces slightly depart in opposite directions alternately from a parallel relation to said axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 together with a linear array of light emitting diodes contained within the outline of said drum, and means directing light from said diodes out of said drum, after reflection from said reflecting surfaces, for imaging to comprise a reproduction of said field of view.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 in which said detectors and said optical means are operative with infrared radiation, and said diodes emit visible radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
153 words
Means for scanning the field of view along a line of sight comprising, in combination: a hollow scanning drum rotatable about a first axis, including a plurality of inwardly reflecting plane surfaces substantially parallel to said axis; means causing rotation of said drum; first stationary optical means, including a first folding mirror, fixed with respect to said drum and positioned to direct infrared radiation having the direction of said line of sight to impinge convergingly on said reflecting surfaces successively as said drum rotates; a linear array of radiation detectors fixed with respect to said drum; and second stationary optical means, including a second folding mirror, fixed with respect to said drum and arranged to receive radiation reflected from said surfaces and direct it toward said array, whereby during rotation of said drum successive images of said field of view sweep traversely across said array, to produce varying outputs from said light detectors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
153 words
Means for scanning the field of view along a line of sight comprising, in combination: a hollow scanning drum rotatable about a first axis, including a plurality of inwardly reflecting plane surfaces substantially parallel to said axis; means causing rotation of said drum; first stationary optical means, including a first folding mirror, fixed with respect to said drum and positioned to direct infrared radiation having the direction of said line of sight to impinge convergingly on said reflecting surfaces successively as said drum rotates; a linear array of radiation detectors fixed with respect to said drum; and second stationary optical means, including a second folding mirror, fixed with respect to said drum and arranged to receive radiation reflected from said surfaces and direct it toward said array, whereby during rotation of said drum successive images of said field of view sweep traversely across said array, to produce varying outputs from said light detectors.
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) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |