US4013884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical device for a surface vehicle guidance system using a light-contrast programme
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-10-16
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Granted: 1977-03-22
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Expires: 1995-10-16
Abstract
Abstract An optical device comprising an illuminator, a receiver located below the illuminator and a scanner. The scanner is designed as two identical mirror prisms rigidly coupled to each other and rotatably mounted on a common axle. One of the prisms intercepts the light beams of the illuminator. The other prism is placed below the former so that it intercepts the light beams reflected from the light-contrast pattern bearing surface being explored and directed to the receiver. A gap is provided between the mirror prisms which accommodates a partition made of a light-tight material. The casing is provided with two viewing windows which correspond to said mirror prisms. The above design of the scanner makes it possible to use the optical device in automatic guidance systems on board vehicles operating under any environmental conditions both in the day-time and at night on various surfaces bearing a light-contrast pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Rafael Rafaelovich Dvali
- 👤 Otar Vladimirovich Margvelashvili
- 👤 Alexei Dmitrievich Nozadze
- 👤 Mikhail Erastovich Burdzgla
- 👤 Alexandr Nikolaevich Melitauri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:51
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/20; E02F9/2025; E02F9/2045; G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0231
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
An optical device for an automatic guidance system using a light-contrast pattern for a vehicle moving along a surface being explored and exhibiting the light contrast pattern, which comprises a casing; two light transmissive windows in said casing; light transmitting means housed in said casing for generating an outgoing beam of light for illuminating said surface being exposed; light receiving means housed in said casing for receiving incoming light beams reflected from said surface being explored and for converting said incoming light receiving means into electrical signals carrying the information on the position of said vehicle with respect to said surface being explored; scanning means in the nature of two mirror prisms located in said casing, a first mirror prism being placed in the path of said outgoing light beam and being rotatably mounted on an axle and adapted to successively illuminate, via one of said windows, said surface being explored, and the second mirror prism being placed in the path of said incoming light beams reflected from said surface being explored, via the other one of said windows, and being mounted on said axle, said first and second mirror prisms being spaced from each other to form a gap therebetween; partition means provided in said gap between said first and second mirror prisms and made of a substantially opaque material to prevent undesired direct light transmission between said light transmitting and receiving means; and reference signal generating means rigidly coupled to said axle of said mirror prisms for generating reference signals to synchronism with the revolution of said mirror prisms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
An optical device for an automatic guidance system using a light-contrast pattern for a vehicle moving along a surface being explored and exhibiting the light contrast pattern, which comprises a casing; two light transmissive windows in said casing; light transmitting means housed in said casing for generating an outgoing beam of light for illuminating said surface being exposed; light receiving means housed in said casing for receiving incoming light beams reflected from said surface being explored and for converting said incoming light receiving means into electrical signals carrying the information on the position of said vehicle with respect to said surface being explored; scanning means in the nature of two mirror prisms located in said casing, a first mirror prism being placed in the path of said outgoing light beam and being rotatably mounted on an axle and adapted to successively illuminate, via one of said windows, said surface being explored, and the second mirror prism being placed in the path of said incoming light beams reflected from said surface being explored, via the other one of said windows, and being mounted on said axle, said first and second mirror prisms being spaced from each other to form a gap therebetween; partition means provided in said gap between said first and second mirror prisms and made of a substantially opaque material to prevent undesired direct light transmission between said light transmitting and receiving means; and reference signal generating means rigidly coupled to said axle of said mirror prisms for generating reference signals to synchronism with the revolution of said mirror prisms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical device as defined in claim 1, wherein said two windows are substantially co-planar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said mirror prisms are tetragonal prisms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
An optical device as defined in claim 1, wherein said reference signal generating means comprises at least one stationary detector positioned proximate to the axis of said axle, and movable means mounted on said axle for common rotation with said mirror prisms, said movable means including a plurality of detectable portions corresponding to the number of mirror surfaces of said mirror prisms which detectable portions are successively detected by said stationary detector with rotation of said axle to produce corresponding synchronous signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An optical device as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least one stationary detector comprises an inductor, said movable means comprises a rotatable disc, and said detectable portions comprise metallic bulges or radial protuberances which successively pass proximate to said at least one inductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical device as defined in claim 1, wherein two stationary detectors are provided and angularly spaced from each other about the axis of said axle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical device as defined in claim 1, wherein said windows comprise light transmissive filters to introduce changes in the spectral composition of said incoming light beam reflected from said surface being explored.
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) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |