US4030807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical scanning system with canted and tilted reflectors
Assignee: Hughes Missile Systems Co
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Filing: 1976-02-09
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1996-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A target scanning system for radiation seeking guided missiles. Radiation incident on a Cassegrainian reflector system images at a focal point on a primary optic axis. The Cassegrainian reflector system produces a first scanning pattern and diverts it to a tertiary reflector. The tertiary reflector has its reflective face canted from its spin axis to produce a second scanning pattern. The two scanning patterns combine to produce the desired rosette scan that is scanned over a sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas W. Briney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B17/00; G02B17/08; G02B17/0852; F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2213; F41G7/2253; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293; G02B17/0804; G02B17/0808; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0875; G02B26/0883; G02B26/0891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A scanning apparatus for use in an optical seeker system comprising: a primary optic axis, first beam director means having a reflective surface canted with respect to said primary optic axis for folding and directing incident radiation, means for spinning said first beam director about said primary optic axis and producing a first scanning component, second beam director means positioned for intercepting the radiation diverted by the first beam director means, said second beam director means having a spin axis tilted with respect to said primary optic axis and including a beam director surface canted with respect to said spin axis, means for spinning said second beam director means about said spin axis of said second beam director for producing a second scanning component, a sensor positioned to receive the radiation diverted from said second beam director, said beam director surface further folding the incident radiation to scan the radiation over said sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A scanning apparatus for use in an optical seeker system comprising: a primary optic axis, first beam director means having a reflective surface canted with respect to said primary optic axis for folding and directing incident radiation, means for spinning said first beam director about said primary optic axis and producing a first scanning component, second beam director means positioned for intercepting the radiation diverted by the first beam director means, said second beam director means having a spin axis tilted with respect to said primary optic axis and including a beam director surface canted with respect to said spin axis, means for spinning said second beam director means about said spin axis of said second beam director for producing a second scanning component, a sensor positioned to receive the radiation diverted from said second beam director, said beam director surface further folding the incident radiation to scan the radiation over said sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The scanning apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said second beam director means spins at a rate of approximately 4.3 times faster than the rate of pin of said first beam director means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The scanning apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said first beam director means comprises: a primary reflector adapted for receiving and diverting radiation from a target, a second reflector for intercepting the radiant energy diverted by said primary reflector and reflecting the same to a focal point on said primary optic axis, and said second beam director surface comprises a tertiary reflector, the optical center of which coincides with the primary optic axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The scanning apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said primary and second reflectors are mounted for gyroscopic rotation in a missile seeker head, and said primary scanning motion is produced by imbalancing the gyroscopic mounting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The scanning apparatus of claim 3 including: a gyro-mass mounted for spinning about the primary optic axis, and said primary reflector comprises a forward face of the gyro-mass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The scanning apparatus of claim 1 including: objective lens means disposed on the primary optic axis between said first beam director means and said second beam director means for transmitting the first radiation scan component to said second beam director means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scanning apparatus of claim 6 wherein: said objective lens means comprises an apochromatic lens system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The scanning apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said primary and second reflectors are mounted for gyroscopic rotation in a missile seeker head fully gimbaled to allow an optical look angle of about 40° .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The scanning apparatus of claim 5 including: a gyro spin bearing, said gyro-mass being mounted on said gyro spin bearing, and the axis of said spin bearing is co-linear with said primary optic axis.
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) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |