US3752587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for boresighting a laser beam emitter device
Assignee: Lanteris Space LLC
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Filing: 1971-09-09
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A system for boresighting or aligning the optical axes of a combined infrared laser beam emitter and a low light level television telescope. An optical switch is located in the system where the axes of the telescope and the laser beam are combined, and is effective to divert at least a portion of the laser beam to a lens that focuses the beam on an opaque surface that is capable of being perforated by the laser energy. The opaque surface is backlit, so that after perforation by the laser a bright point of light can be seen in the telescope. If the axes of the laser beam and telescope are aligned, the bright spot will appear at the reticle center of the telescope. If not aligned, the axes are adjusted to produce alignment, or boresighting. The opaque surface is formed on a strip, and an automatic advancing device is operable to advance the strip to present a fresh opaque test surface, upon each boresighting operation.
Inventors
- 👤 J Myers
- 👤 F Berg
- 👤 B Martus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:53
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/14; F41G3/145; F41G3/32; F41G3/326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
Apparatus including a laser for directing a laser beam onto a target substantially distantly spaced from said laser, and sighting means in predetermined association with said laser through which the target may be observed during the lasing operation, means for testing the alignment of said laser beam with respect to said sighting means, comprising: telescopic objective means positioned to transmit the laser beam during testing and to focus such beam in a plane relatively closely spaced from said laser as compared with the distant spacing of a target; screen means positioned in the focal plane of said telescopic objective means in order that there may be formed thereon a visible image indicative of the point of impingement of the focused beam, light from said image being transmitted through said telescopic objective means and observable through the sighting means included in the mentioned apparatus; beam splitter means constructed and positioned to transmit a substantial portion of said laser beam and to reflect a substantial portion of visible light in provision either for sighting of a target through said sighting means or for observation through said sighting means of the said image of tHe mentioned point of impingement of the focused beam; means for removing said telescopic objective means from the optical path of said laser after 42 completion of a test so as to accommodate sighting onto a distant target; means for automatically presenting a fresh screen means in its recited position upon completion of a test; and means providing for adjustment of the elements of said apparatus to bring said sighting means into effective coincidence with said image of the point of impingement of the focused beam on said screen means, as observed through said sighting means during testing of said equipment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
Apparatus including a laser for directing a laser beam onto a target substantially distantly spaced from said laser, and sighting means in predetermined association with said laser through which the target may be observed during the lasing operation, means for testing the alignment of said laser beam with respect to said sighting means, comprising: telescopic objective means positioned to transmit the laser beam during testing and to focus such beam in a plane relatively closely spaced from said laser as compared with the distant spacing of a target; screen means positioned in the focal plane of said telescopic objective means in order that there may be formed thereon a visible image indicative of the point of impingement of the focused beam, light from said image being transmitted through said telescopic objective means and observable through the sighting means included in the mentioned apparatus; beam splitter means constructed and positioned to transmit a substantial portion of said laser beam and to reflect a substantial portion of visible light in provision either for sighting of a target through said sighting means or for observation through said sighting means of the said image of tHe mentioned point of impingement of the focused beam; means for removing said telescopic objective means from the optical path of said laser after 42 completion of a test so as to accommodate sighting onto a distant target; means for automatically presenting a fresh screen means in its recited position upon completion of a test; and means providing for adjustment of the elements of said apparatus to bring said sighting means into effective coincidence with said image of the point of impingement of the focused beam on said screen means, as observed through said sighting means during testing of said equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, and characterized in that said means for removing said telescopic objective means comprises a light shutter mounted for movements into and out of the path of light between said beam splitter and said telescopic objective means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and characterized in that said means for removing said telescopic objective means comprises a porro prism selectively positionable in the path of light from said laser and transmitted by said beam splitter and effective to reflect at least a portion of the laser beam through said telescopic objective means for impingement on said screen means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and characterized in that said means for automatically presenting a fresh screen means comprises a strip for conveying a plurality of such screen means, a supply reel and a takeup reel for said strip, and means for advancing said strip from said supply reel onto said takeup reel an increment at a time in provision of each of said plurality of screen means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, and further characterized in that said strip and said screen means comprise carbon paper, and in that each said screen means is defined by a frame of such strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
269 words
Apparatus including a laser for directing a laser beam onto a target, and sighting means for said laser device, comprising a beam splitter and means through which the target may be observed and the apparatus aimed thereat during the lasing operation, means for boresighting said apparatus to test alignment of said laser beam with respect to said means for observing, said boresighting means comprising: screen means; telescopic objective means positionable to transmit the laser beam during test and to focus such beam onto said screen means, in order that there may be formed thereon a visible image indicative of the point of impingement of the focused beam, light from said image being transmitted through said telescopic objective means and observable through said observing means; said beam splitter being effective to transmit a substantial portion of said laser beam, and to reflect a substantial portion of visible light in provision either for sighting of a target through said sighting means or for observation through said sighting means of said image of the mentioned point of impingement of the focused beam; means for removing said telescopic objective means from the optical path of said laser upon completion of a boresighting operation to accommodate sighting onto a target; means for automatically presenting a fresh screen means in its recited position upon completion of a boresighting operation; and means providing for adjustment of the elements of said apparatus to bring said sighting means into effective coincidence with said image of the point of impingement of the focused beam on said screen means, as observed through said sighting means during boresighting of said equipment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
269 words
Apparatus including a laser for directing a laser beam onto a target, and sighting means for said laser device, comprising a beam splitter and means through which the target may be observed and the apparatus aimed thereat during the lasing operation, means for boresighting said apparatus to test alignment of said laser beam with respect to said means for observing, said boresighting means comprising: screen means; telescopic objective means positionable to transmit the laser beam during test and to focus such beam onto said screen means, in order that there may be formed thereon a visible image indicative of the point of impingement of the focused beam, light from said image being transmitted through said telescopic objective means and observable through said observing means; said beam splitter being effective to transmit a substantial portion of said laser beam, and to reflect a substantial portion of visible light in provision either for sighting of a target through said sighting means or for observation through said sighting means of said image of the mentioned point of impingement of the focused beam; means for removing said telescopic objective means from the optical path of said laser upon completion of a boresighting operation to accommodate sighting onto a target; means for automatically presenting a fresh screen means in its recited position upon completion of a boresighting operation; and means providing for adjustment of the elements of said apparatus to bring said sighting means into effective coincidence with said image of the point of impingement of the focused beam on said screen means, as observed through said sighting means during boresighting of said equipment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, and characterized in that said means for removing said telescopic objective means comprises a porro prism positionable in the path of light from said laser and transmitted by said beam splitter and effective in such position to reflect at least a portion of the laser beam through said telescopic objective means for impingement on said screen means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, and characterized in that said means for reMoving said telescopic objective means comprises a light shutter mounted for movements into and out of the path of the laser beam extending between said beam splitter and said screen means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, and characterized in that said means for automatically presenting a fresh screen means comprises a strip of laser energy sensitive material, a pair of rotational reels for supplying and taking up portions of said strip positioned to serve as said screen means, and means for rotating said reels to advance said portions incrementally.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
For use in apparatus of the type including a laser directing a laser beam toward a distant target and means for optically aiming said laser beam at said target, boresighting means comprising: telescopic objective means positionable in the optical path of said laser to focus said beam in a plane more closely spaced from said laser than said target is spaced; means for positioning said telescopic objective means in the optical path of said laser and for automatically presenting a screen means in the focal plane of said telescopic objective means whereby to provide an image of the point of impingement; and means for estabilshing effective coincidence between such means for optically aiming and the image of the focused laser beam on said screen means, as observable through said aiming means, in achievement of such boresighting operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
137 words
For use in apparatus of the type including a laser directing a laser beam toward a distant target and means for optically aiming said laser beam at said target, boresighting means comprising: telescopic objective means positionable in the optical path of said laser to focus said beam in a plane more closely spaced from said laser than said target is spaced; means for positioning said telescopic objective means in the optical path of said laser and for automatically presenting a screen means in the focal plane of said telescopic objective means whereby to provide an image of the point of impingement; and means for estabilshing effective coincidence between such means for optically aiming and the image of the focused laser beam on said screen means, as observable through said aiming means, in achievement of such boresighting operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
Boresighting means according to claim 10, and characterized by the inclusion of a porro prism selectively positionable in the path of the laser beam emitted by said laser device, and effective in such position to reflect at least a portion of said beam through said telescopic objective means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
Boresighting means according to claim 10, and characterized in that said means presenting a screen means comprises a strip having a plurality of such screen means, a supply reel and a takeup reel for said strip, and including means for advancing said strip from said supply reel onto said takeup reel thereby to provide for sequential presentation of such screen means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |