US3974985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wide angle seeker
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-05-18
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Granted: 1976-08-17
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Expires: 1992-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A two axis, three gimbal tracker for use with a missile or the like. The cker utilizes a lens barrel which has unlimited angular freedom in one axis, and more than 50° of angular freedom in the other axis, and is mounted to the side of the carrying vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Campbell
- 👤 James W. Oestreich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:00
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2253; F41G7/2213; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A tracker mounted on a body having a longitudinal axis; said body having an opening therein on an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; said body having a cross section and a dimension related to the cross section; said tracker comprising: a turret rotatably mounted in said opening for rotation about the axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said body; a lens barrel rotatably mounted at one end of said turret so that said barrel is completely outside said opening in the body; said lens barrel being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to said axis of said opening; an auxiliary gimbal pivotally attached to said turret in said body; means for pivoting said auxiliary gimbal about an axis; a pushrod having first and second ends, pivotally attached on said first end to said auxiliary gimbal at a location spaced from said gimbal pivot axis, and pivotally attached on said second end to said lens barrel at a location spaced from said lens barrel rotation axis; a lens system contained in said lens barrel; and sensing means located within said turret in said body in a manner whereby said sensing means rotates when said turret rotates and receives images from said lens system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A tracker mounted on a body having a longitudinal axis; said body having an opening therein on an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; said body having a cross section and a dimension related to the cross section; said tracker comprising: a turret rotatably mounted in said opening for rotation about the axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said body; a lens barrel rotatably mounted at one end of said turret so that said barrel is completely outside said opening in the body; said lens barrel being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to said axis of said opening; an auxiliary gimbal pivotally attached to said turret in said body; means for pivoting said auxiliary gimbal about an axis; a pushrod having first and second ends, pivotally attached on said first end to said auxiliary gimbal at a location spaced from said gimbal pivot axis, and pivotally attached on said second end to said lens barrel at a location spaced from said lens barrel rotation axis; a lens system contained in said lens barrel; and sensing means located within said turret in said body in a manner whereby said sensing means rotates when said turret rotates and receives images from said lens system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tracker according to claim 1 wherein said lens barrel is rotatable through an angle of approximately 57°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tracker according to claim 1 wherein said turret can rotate through an angle in excess of 360°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tracker according to claim 1 and further including; protective means covering said lens means transparent to wavelengths at frequencies to which the sensing means will respond; said protective means being dimensioned such that its largest dimension is several orders of magnitude less than the dimension related to the cross section of said body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3293437A
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US3180587A
Cited
US3219822A
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US3617016A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-17 | 1980-02-16 | 1980-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-17 | 1984-02-16 | 1984-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-17 | 1988-02-16 | 1988-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |