US3923382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multifaceted mirror structure for infrared radiation detector
Assignee: Leco Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-19
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1993-12-19
Abstract
Abstract Infrared radiation can be gathered from a number of discrete, spaced-apart fields of view and focused on a single sensing element with a multifaceted mirror. Each facet of the mirror is a concave surface, preferably spherical, which is focused on the radiation sensing element. This focusing can conveniently be accomplished by the use of a spherical surface having a radius of curvature half that of the individual segments which constitute the facets of the multifaceted mirror. The individual segments'' focal points, which are midway between the spherical segments and the centers of curvature of the spherical segments, are thus all located in a common point, at which the radiation sensing element is located.
Inventors
- 👤 William R Harding
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:54
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/189; G08B13/19; G08B13/193; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A single-piece multifaceted mirror for gathering infrared radiation from a plurality of discrete, non-parallel, spacedapart fields of view, and focusing said radiation on a single sensing element, said single-piece multifaceted mirror having a concave surface, said concave surface comprising a plurality of radiation gathering surface portions, each of said radiation gathering surface portions being concave, having an equal focal length, and having a common focal point; the radiation gathering surface portions being so arranged that each radiation gathering surface portion gathers radiation from a separate, discrete, spaced-apart field of view.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A single-piece multifaceted mirror for gathering infrared radiation from a plurality of discrete, non-parallel, spacedapart fields of view, and focusing said radiation on a single sensing element, said single-piece multifaceted mirror having a concave surface, said concave surface comprising a plurality of radiation gathering surface portions, each of said radiation gathering surface portions being concave, having an equal focal length, and having a common focal point; the radiation gathering surface portions being so arranged that each radiation gathering surface portion gathers radiation from a separate, discrete, spaced-apart field of view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 1, wherein each of said concave surface portions is a segment of a sphere, each of said segments of a sphere having a radius of curvature passing through a common focal point, the radii of curvature of said segments of a sphere being of such length and orientation that the common focal point is equidistant between a. each segment of a sphere which constitutes the radiation gathering surface portions, and b. the center of curvature of each such segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 2, wherein each said radiation gathering surface portion is a spherical polygon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 3, wherein each said radiation gathering surface portion is a spherical hexagon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 3, wherein each said radiation gathering surface portion is a spherical square.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 3, wherein each said radiation gathering surface is a spherical triangle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 3, wherein said radiation gathering surface portions are contiguous.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 7, wherein said concave mirror comprises 19 contiguous hexagonal radiation gathering surface portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 1, comprising in addition a radiation reflective coating on said radiation gathering surface portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A multifaceted mirror according to claim 1, wherein the radiation gathering surface portions are so arranged that each radiation gathering surface portion reflects radiation incident from a discrete, spaced-apart field of view which field of view is non-parallel to each other field of view from which radiation is gathered by other elements; said multifaceted mirror being round and having a radius of about 1.5 inches.
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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |