US3858201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High angular resolution sensor
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-15
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A system for determining the direction from which an illuminating laser beam is received. A cylindrical optical system focuses a laser beam from the field of view as a sharp line image at its focal plane. An encoder plate having a plurality of encoder tracks of differing resolution is located at the focal plane with the tracks positioned perpendicular to the line image. An array of radiation detectors nonfocused radiation passed by the plurality of tracks. The output of the array is a digital word representing the position of the line image on the encoder plate which in turn defines the position of the laser source in the field of view.
Inventors
- 👤 L Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/783; G01S3/7835; H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22; H03M1/24; H03M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A system for detecting the direction from which incident radiation is received from over a given field of view, and comprising: a. a cylindrical optical system for gathering radiation from the relatively wide field of view and for directing the radiation back to a focal plane as a sharp line image with the position of the line image in said focal plane being dependent upon the direction from which the radiation is received; b. encoder means positioned substantially at said focal plane, said encoder means having a plurality of code tracks for selectively passing radiation in dependence upon the position of said line image relative to said code tracks; c. a plurality of detectors, at least one for each said code track, for detecting nonfocused radiation selectively passed by said code tracks, whereby said plurality of detectors will not be damaged by focused radiation and whereby the outputs of said plurality of detectors are representative of the position of said line image relaTive to said encoder means which in turn defines the direction from which the incident radiation is received.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A system for detecting the direction from which incident radiation is received from over a given field of view, and comprising: a. a cylindrical optical system for gathering radiation from the relatively wide field of view and for directing the radiation back to a focal plane as a sharp line image with the position of the line image in said focal plane being dependent upon the direction from which the radiation is received; b. encoder means positioned substantially at said focal plane, said encoder means having a plurality of code tracks for selectively passing radiation in dependence upon the position of said line image relative to said code tracks; c. a plurality of detectors, at least one for each said code track, for detecting nonfocused radiation selectively passed by said code tracks, whereby said plurality of detectors will not be damaged by focused radiation and whereby the outputs of said plurality of detectors are representative of the position of said line image relaTive to said encoder means which in turn defines the direction from which the incident radiation is received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of code tracks form a Gray code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of detectors includes a linear detector extending the entire length of the code track from which it is to detect radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of code tracks have alternating radiation opaque and radiation transmissive areas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said cylindrical optical system and introduces particular aberrations into said line image; and b. said encoder means includes a compensated encoder means constructed to compensate for said particular aberrations in said line image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as set forth in claim 5 wherein asaid compensated encoder means is constructed with said cylindrical optical system which is utilized to form an image of an uncompensated encoder means having a plurality of uniformly accurate code tracks onto said compensated encoder means, whereby said cylindrical optical system will form an image on said compensated encoder means having particular aberrations which are characteristic of said cylindrical optical system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said plurality of code tracks form a Gray code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of code tracks have alternating radiation opaque and radiation transmissive areas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said plurality of detectors includes a linear detector extending the length of the code track from which it is to detect radiation.
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) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |