Electronic tracking device

Claim 2

In an electronic tracking device sensitive to radiation of scanned targets the combination of: focusing means having an optical axis for forming an optical image of a target, means for converting said optical image to an electronic image at a focal point, means for nutating said electronic image in a focal plane about said optical axis, detector means comprising a plurality of separated detector surfaces, means responsive to said nutated electronic image for forming a target image on said detector surfaces, and means for measuring the proportional duration of said target image on each of said surfaces to provide signal proportional to the deviation of said target from said optical axis.

Claim 3

The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said detector means comprises four quadrant surfaces.

Claim 4

The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said means for forming a target image on said detector surfaces comprises: an optical lens disposed along said optical axis and responsive to said electronic image for forming a target image on said detector surfaces, and a field stop disposed along said optical axis for varying the field of view of said image.

Claim 5

In a radiant energy tracking device sensitive to radiation of scanned targets, the combination of: optical focusing means having an optical axis for receiving modulated signal pulses reflected from a target and forming an optical image of said target, means for converting said optical image to an electronic image at a focal point, means for nutating said electronic image in a first focal plane about said optical axis, means responsive to the electronic image in said first focal plane for forming a nutated optical image in a second focal plane about said optical axis, detector means comprising four surfaces, each surface occupying a quadrant in the circle encompassed by said image as it nutates in the second focal plane about said optical axis, said detector means providing an output signal from each of said surfaces indicative of the duration of said target image on its respective surface, and summing means responsive to said output signals for providing signals proportional to the deviation of said target from said optical axis.

Claim 6

In a radiant energy tracking device sensitive to radiation of scanned targets, the combination of: optical focusing means having an optical axis for receiving modulated signal pulses reflected from a target and forming an optical image of said target, means for converting said optical image to an electronic image at a focal point, means for nutating said electronic image in a first focal plane about said optical axis, means responsive to the electronic image in said first focal plane for forming a nutated optical image in a second focal plane about said optical axis, detector means comprising four surfaces, each surface occupying a quadrant in the circle encompassed by said image as it nutates in the second focal plane about said optical axis, said detector means providing an output signal from each of said surfaces indicative of the duration of said target image on its respective surface, and summing means responsive to said output signals for providing signals proportional to the deviation of said target from said optical axis.

Claim 7

The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said means for forming a nutated optical image in a second focal plane comprises: an optical lens disposed along said optical axis and responsive to said electronic image for forming a target image in said second focal plane, and a field stop disposed along said optical axis for varying the size of said electronic image.

Claim 8

In a radiant energy tracking device sensitive to radiation of scanned targets the combination of: an aperture lens having an optical axis for receiving modulated signal pulses reflecting from a target and forming an optical image of said target, an image converter tube disposed along said optical axis and having a photo-electric cathode on which said optical image is formed, and a collector electrode on which an electronic image is formed from said optical image, said image converter tube having electron deflection control means for deflecting the electron beam issued from said cathode in a circular pattern whereby said electronic image is nutated in a first focal plane at said collector electrode about said optical axis, a relay lens disposed along said optical axis and responsive to said electronic image in said first focal plane for forming an optical image of said target in a second focal plane, a detector having four quadrant surfaces in said second focal plane, said surfaces being encompassed by said image at it nutates, and a summing matrix responsive to the outputs of said surfaces for providing signals indicative of the horizontal and vertical deviations of the target from said optical axis.

Claim 9

In a radiant energy tracking device sensitive to radiation of scanned targets the combination of: an aperture lens having an optical axis for receiving modulated signal pulses reflecting from a target and forming an optical image of said target, an image converter tube disposed along said optical axis and having a photo-electric cathode on which said optical image is formed, and a collector electrode on which an electronic image is formed from said optical image, said image converter tube having electron deflection control means for deflecting the electron beam issued from said cathode in a circular pattern whereby said electronic image is nutated in a first focal plane at said collector electrode about said optical axis, a relay lens disposed along said optical axis and responsive to said electronic image in said first focal plane for forming an optical image of said target in a second focal plane, a detector having four quadrant surfaces in said second focal plane, said surfaces being encompassed by said image at it nutates, and a summing matrix responsive to the outputs of said surfaces for providing signals indicative of the horizontal and vertical deviations of the target from said optical axis.

Claim 10

The combination recited in claim 6 further including a field stop disposed along said optical axis between said first and second focal planes for varying the field of view of said optical system.