US3892474A — Optical weapon sight having controlled universall…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 440 words

An optical sight device for weapon aiming, comprising a fixed frame that carries a viewing screen, means fixed on the frame for generating a sighting symbol image which is to be visible on the screen and to be used as an aiming reference, a mirror which reflects the sighting symbol image onto the screen and which is constrained to universal tilting about a pair of perpendicular coplanar tilt axes, and demand signal means for producing outputs signifying the magnitude and direction of displacement of the mirror about each of said axes that will so orient the mirror that the sighting symbol is positioned on the screen in accordance with conditions that affect aiming, said optical sight being characterized by: A. two pairs of rEversible linear motors, one pair for tilting the mirror about each of said tilt axes, 1. each of said motors being connected between the frame and the mirror to react between them, 2. the two motors of each pair being located a. substantial and equal distances to opposite sides of the intersection of the tilt axes, and b. on one of said axes; B. position transducer means for producing an output that corresponds to the angular orientation of the mirror about each of said tilt axes, said position transducer means comprising 1. an exciter element spaced to one side of the plane containing the tilt axes and located on a perpendicular to said plane that extends through the intersection of said axes, 2. two pairs of fixed detector elements, one pair for each of said tilt axes, the two detector elements of each pair thereof being spaced equal distances to opposite sides of the plane that contains said perpendicular and their tilt axis and being located on the plane that contains said perpendicular and the other tilt axis, and 3. an element at said one side of the first mentioned plane, constrained to move in unison with the mirror and having portions in opposing relationship to the exciter element and normally in partial opposing relationship to all of said detector elements to vary an electrical characteristic of a circuit comprising each pair of detector elements in accordance with the orientation of the mirror; and C. circuit means connected with said demand signal means and connected in feedback relationship with said position transducer means for producing control outputs for the linear motors that correspond in magnitude and sign with any departure of the mirror from an orientation signified by the output of the demand signal means and for feeding said control outputs to the linear motors to cause them to maintain the mirror in the last mentioned orientation.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 440 words

An optical sight device for weapon aiming, comprising a fixed frame that carries a viewing screen, means fixed on the frame for generating a sighting symbol image which is to be visible on the screen and to be used as an aiming reference, a mirror which reflects the sighting symbol image onto the screen and which is constrained to universal tilting about a pair of perpendicular coplanar tilt axes, and demand signal means for producing outputs signifying the magnitude and direction of displacement of the mirror about each of said axes that will so orient the mirror that the sighting symbol is positioned on the screen in accordance with conditions that affect aiming, said optical sight being characterized by: A. two pairs of rEversible linear motors, one pair for tilting the mirror about each of said tilt axes, 1. each of said motors being connected between the frame and the mirror to react between them, 2. the two motors of each pair being located a. substantial and equal distances to opposite sides of the intersection of the tilt axes, and b. on one of said axes; B. position transducer means for producing an output that corresponds to the angular orientation of the mirror about each of said tilt axes, said position transducer means comprising 1. an exciter element spaced to one side of the plane containing the tilt axes and located on a perpendicular to said plane that extends through the intersection of said axes, 2. two pairs of fixed detector elements, one pair for each of said tilt axes, the two detector elements of each pair thereof being spaced equal distances to opposite sides of the plane that contains said perpendicular and their tilt axis and being located on the plane that contains said perpendicular and the other tilt axis, and 3. an element at said one side of the first mentioned plane, constrained to move in unison with the mirror and having portions in opposing relationship to the exciter element and normally in partial opposing relationship to all of said detector elements to vary an electrical characteristic of a circuit comprising each pair of detector elements in accordance with the orientation of the mirror; and C. circuit means connected with said demand signal means and connected in feedback relationship with said position transducer means for producing control outputs for the linear motors that correspond in magnitude and sign with any departure of the mirror from an orientation signified by the output of the demand signal means and for feeding said control outputs to the linear motors to cause them to maintain the mirror in the last mentioned orientation.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 56 words

two pairs of fixed detector elements, one pair for each of said tilt axes, the two detector elements of each pair thereof being spaced equal distances to opposite sides of the plane that contains said perpendicular and their tilt axis and being located on the plane that contains said perpendicular and the other tilt axis, and

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 56 words

two pairs of fixed detector elements, one pair for each of said tilt axes, the two detector elements of each pair thereof being spaced equal distances to opposite sides of the plane that contains said perpendicular and their tilt axis and being located on the plane that contains said perpendicular and the other tilt axis, and

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 58 words

the two motors of each pair being located a. substantial and equal distances to opposite sides of the intersection of the tilt axes, and b. on one of said axes; B. position transducer means for producing an output that corresponds to the angular orientation of the mirror about each of said tilt axes, said position transducer means comprising

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 58 words

the two motors of each pair being located a. substantial and equal distances to opposite sides of the intersection of the tilt axes, and b. on one of said axes; B. position transducer means for producing an output that corresponds to the angular orientation of the mirror about each of said tilt axes, said position transducer means comprising

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

equal and substantial distances to opposite sides of their tilt axis so that a position transducer responsive to the tilting orientation of the mirror can be accommodated between them.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

equal and substantial distances to opposite sides of their tilt axis so that a position transducer responsive to the tilting orientation of the mirror can be accommodated between them.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

the other sleeve member fixed to the stationary structure; and C. the pair of motors for each tilt axis being located

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

the other sleeve member fixed to the stationary structure; and C. the pair of motors for each tilt axis being located

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 87 words

the outer sleeve member and the permanent magnet a. being in fixed coaxial relation to one another and b. being magnetically connected at one end of the outer sleeve member to define a magnetic circuit which includes an annular air gap near the other end of the outer sleeve member wherein the inner sleeve member is receivable; B. each of said motors being arranged to react between the fixed structure and the mirror, with its axis substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the tilt axes, and with

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 87 words

the outer sleeve member and the permanent magnet a. being in fixed coaxial relation to one another and b. being magnetically connected at one end of the outer sleeve member to define a magnetic circuit which includes an annular air gap near the other end of the outer sleeve member wherein the inner sleeve member is receivable; B. each of said motors being arranged to react between the fixed structure and the mirror, with its axis substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the tilt axes, and with

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 52 words

the inner part of each of said permanent magnet members being substantially cylindrical and a. having a diameter substantially smaller than the inside diameter of said side wall, b. having one end engaged with said end wall, and c. having its other end substantially flush with the rim of said side wall;

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 52 words

the inner part of each of said permanent magnet members being substantially cylindrical and a. having a diameter substantially smaller than the inside diameter of said side wall, b. having one end engaged with said end wall, and c. having its other end substantially flush with the rim of said side wall;

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 53 words

each of said detector elements comprising a. another magnetically permeable core which has its axis parallel to said perpendicular and which is spaced from the first mentioned core, and b. a detector winding in flux linking relation to said other core and in which an alternating current is adapted to be induced; and

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 53 words

each of said detector elements comprising a. another magnetically permeable core which has its axis parallel to said perpendicular and which is spaced from the first mentioned core, and b. a detector winding in flux linking relation to said other core and in which an alternating current is adapted to be induced; and

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

electrically energizable magnet means comprising a tubular winding that is co-axially receivable in said air gap and has substantial axial length;

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

electrically energizable magnet means comprising a tubular winding that is co-axially receivable in said air gap and has substantial axial length;

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The optical sight device of claim 1 wherein each of said reversible linear motors comprises:

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 137 words

an element at said one side of the first mentioned plane, constrained to move in unison with the mirror and having portions in opposing relationship to the exciter element and normally in partial opposing relationship to all of said detector elements to vary an electrical characteristic of a circuit comprising each pair of detector elements in accordance with the orientation of the mirror; and C. circuit means connected with said demand signal means and connected in feedback relationship with said position transducer means for producing control outputs for the linear motors that correspond in magnitude and sign with any departure of the mirror from an orientation signified by the output of the demand signal means and for feeding said control outputs to the linear motors to cause them to maintain the mirror in the last mentioned orientation.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 137 words

an element at said one side of the first mentioned plane, constrained to move in unison with the mirror and having portions in opposing relationship to the exciter element and normally in partial opposing relationship to all of said detector elements to vary an electrical characteristic of a circuit comprising each pair of detector elements in accordance with the orientation of the mirror; and C. circuit means connected with said demand signal means and connected in feedback relationship with said position transducer means for producing control outputs for the linear motors that correspond in magnitude and sign with any departure of the mirror from an orientation signified by the output of the demand signal means and for feeding said control outputs to the linear motors to cause them to maintain the mirror in the last mentioned orientation.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 10 words

The optical sight device of claim 1, further characterized by:

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 92 words

said element constrained to move with the mirror comprising a magnetically permeable member which has a convexly spherical surface that coacts with the first mentioned core to define therewith an air gap that is of constant size in all positions of the mirror, and which coacts with surface portions on each of said other cores to define therewith an air gap that varies in area in accordance with orientation of the mirror, said surface portions on the other cores being concavely spherical, concentric with said convexly spherical surface, and opposing the same.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 92 words

said element constrained to move with the mirror comprising a magnetically permeable member which has a convexly spherical surface that coacts with the first mentioned core to define therewith an air gap that is of constant size in all positions of the mirror, and which coacts with surface portions on each of said other cores to define therewith an air gap that varies in area in accordance with orientation of the mirror, said surface portions on the other cores being concavely spherical, concentric with said convexly spherical surface, and opposing the same.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

said side wall having on its inner surface, adjacent to its rim, a radially inwardly projecting convexly rounded circumferential land; and

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 21 words

said side wall having on its inner surface, adjacent to its rim, a radially inwardly projecting convexly rounded circumferential land; and

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 11 words

means fixing one of said magnet means on the frame; and

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 11 words

means fixing one of said magnet means on the frame; and

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 36 words

said inner part having adjacent to its said other end a radially outwardly projecting convexly rounded circumferential land which is radially opposite the first mentioned land and cooperates with the same to define said air gap.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 36 words

said inner part having adjacent to its said other end a radially outwardly projecting convexly rounded circumferential land which is radially opposite the first mentioned land and cooperates with the same to define said air gap.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 156 words

In an optical sight for weapon aiming having stationary structure comprising means for generating a sighting symbOl image and a viewing screen onto which the sighting symbol image is reflected, and having a mirror which reflects the sighting symbol image onto the screen and which is mounted for universal tilting motion relative to the stationary structure about a pair of intersecting perpendicular tilt axes, actuating means for tilting the mirror in accordance with electrical outputs that correspond to the amount and direction of tilting of the mirror out of a normal position about each tilt axis that is required for positioning the sighting symbol image on the screen to accommodate conditions that affect aiming, said actuating means comprising: A. two pairs of reversible linear motors, one pair for tilting the mirror about each of said tile axes, each of said motors comprising an inner sleeve member, a magnetically permeable outer sleeve member, and a permanent magnet,

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 156 words

In an optical sight for weapon aiming having stationary structure comprising means for generating a sighting symbOl image and a viewing screen onto which the sighting symbol image is reflected, and having a mirror which reflects the sighting symbol image onto the screen and which is mounted for universal tilting motion relative to the stationary structure about a pair of intersecting perpendicular tilt axes, actuating means for tilting the mirror in accordance with electrical outputs that correspond to the amount and direction of tilting of the mirror out of a normal position about each tilt axis that is required for positioning the sighting symbol image on the screen to accommodate conditions that affect aiming, said actuating means comprising: A. two pairs of reversible linear motors, one pair for tilting the mirror about each of said tile axes, each of said motors comprising an inner sleeve member, a magnetically permeable outer sleeve member, and a permanent magnet,

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 16 words

means providing a motion transmitting connection between the other of said magnet means and the mirror.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 16 words

means providing a motion transmitting connection between the other of said magnet means and the mirror.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 302 words

In apparatus comprising a tiltable element which is carried by a fixed element for tilting relative to the latter in opposite directions about a defined tilt axis, and demand signal means for generating a demand electrical signal that signifies a required position of tilt of the tiltable element, means for maintaining the tiltable element in the position of tilt signified by the demand signal, the last mentioned means comprising: A. a pair of permanent magnet members on one of said elements, spaced equal distances to opposite sides of said tilt axis, each of said permanent magnet members comprising concentric inner and outer magnetic parts, one of which comprises a permanent magnet, said inner and outer magnetic parts being connected in a magnetic circuit with one another and cooperating to define an annular air gap which is in said magnetic circuit and which has its axis extending substantially in said directions; B. a pair of substantially tubular electrically energizable magnet means on the other of said elements, there being one of said electrically energizable magnet means for each of said permanent magnet members and each being coaxially received in the annular air gap of its permanent magnet member for axial motion relative to the latter; C. detector means for producing a signal which corresponds to the existing position of tilt of the tiltable element, said detector means comprising fixed and movable parts which are respectively carried by said fixed and tiltable elements; and D. control output means connected with the demand signal means and in feedback relation with the detector means, for producing a control output which is fed to the electrically energizable magnet means and which corresponds to the magnitude and direction of any departure of the existing position of tilt of the tiltable element from That signified by the demand signal.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 302 words

In apparatus comprising a tiltable element which is carried by a fixed element for tilting relative to the latter in opposite directions about a defined tilt axis, and demand signal means for generating a demand electrical signal that signifies a required position of tilt of the tiltable element, means for maintaining the tiltable element in the position of tilt signified by the demand signal, the last mentioned means comprising: A. a pair of permanent magnet members on one of said elements, spaced equal distances to opposite sides of said tilt axis, each of said permanent magnet members comprising concentric inner and outer magnetic parts, one of which comprises a permanent magnet, said inner and outer magnetic parts being connected in a magnetic circuit with one another and cooperating to define an annular air gap which is in said magnetic circuit and which has its axis extending substantially in said directions; B. a pair of substantially tubular electrically energizable magnet means on the other of said elements, there being one of said electrically energizable magnet means for each of said permanent magnet members and each being coaxially received in the annular air gap of its permanent magnet member for axial motion relative to the latter; C. detector means for producing a signal which corresponds to the existing position of tilt of the tiltable element, said detector means comprising fixed and movable parts which are respectively carried by said fixed and tiltable elements; and D. control output means connected with the demand signal means and in feedback relation with the detector means, for producing a control output which is fed to the electrically energizable magnet means and which corresponds to the magnitude and direction of any departure of the existing position of tilt of the tiltable element from That signified by the demand signal.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 8 words

The apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by:

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said inner cylindrical part comprises a permanent magnet and is magnetized in its axial direction.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fixed and movable parts of the detector means are located between said permanent magnet members.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-06-30	1978-12-30	1979-07-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-06-30	1982-12-30	1983-07-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-06-30	1986-12-30	1987-07-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Optical weapon sight having controlled universally moveable mirror

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