US4038547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tracking and sighting instrument
Assignee: Lanteris Space LLC
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Filing: 1966-05-31
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Granted: 1977-07-26
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Expires: 1986-05-31
Abstract
Abstract Tracking and sighting apparatus for use in a missile guiding system. The apparatus receives visible light from a target, along with infrared light from the missile itself. Initially a beam splitter separates these different types of light. The beam splitter is followed by separate objectives, one of which is disposed in the path of infrared light and is highly transmissive and suitably refractive to this light, while the other objective is in the path for visible light and is highly transmissive and suitably refractive for this light. The two objectives focus the infrared and visible light, respectively, into a tracking receiver and a sighting ocular.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard F. Hoesterey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:55
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/30; F41G7/301; F41G7/303
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
Missile tracking and target sighting apparatus of the type which receives conjoint, generally parallel beams of incident visible and infrared light, coming respectively from a target and a missile, said apparatus comprising means for initially splitting the incident conjoint light beams into separate beams of infrared and visible light respectively; a first objective, disposed in the path of the visible light beam and focusing the light thereof into target-sighting ocular means; and a second and separate objective, disposed in the path of the infrared light beam and focusing the light of the latter beam into missile-tracking receiver means, said first and second objectives being highly transmissive, respectively, to visible light and to infrared light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
Missile tracking and target sighting apparatus of the type which receives conjoint, generally parallel beams of incident visible and infrared light, coming respectively from a target and a missile, said apparatus comprising means for initially splitting the incident conjoint light beams into separate beams of infrared and visible light respectively; a first objective, disposed in the path of the visible light beam and focusing the light thereof into target-sighting ocular means; and a second and separate objective, disposed in the path of the infrared light beam and focusing the light of the latter beam into missile-tracking receiver means, said first and second objectives being highly transmissive, respectively, to visible light and to infrared light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said objectives is a lens highly corrected and achromatized for focusing the respective light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each objective is a lens highly corrected and achromatized for focusing the respective light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the means for initially splitting the light beams is a dichroic mirrorfilter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 including a pair of optical wedges rotatable conjointly and also rotatable one relative to the other between said separate objective and said tracking device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
Missile tracking and target sighting apparatus comprising means for splitting incident, conjointly arriving, visible and infrared radiations into separate visible and infrared light beams; objective lens means disposed in the path of the visible light beam and to focus the same into sighting apparatus; separate objective lens means disposed in the path of the infrared light beam and to focus the same into tracking apparatus; and a check sight including an infrared source, means for selectively guiding energy from said source onto said separate objective or withholding it therefrom, and means between said source and said separate objective for modulating energy from said source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
Missile tracking and target sighting apparatus comprising means for splitting incident, conjointly arriving, visible and infrared radiations into separate visible and infrared light beams; objective lens means disposed in the path of the visible light beam and to focus the same into sighting apparatus; separate objective lens means disposed in the path of the infrared light beam and to focus the same into tracking apparatus; and a check sight including an infrared source, means for selectively guiding energy from said source onto said separate objective or withholding it therefrom, and means between said source and said separate objective for modulating energy from said source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a prism shiftable across the optical axis of the check sight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3277303A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-25 | 1981-01-24 | 1981-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-25 | 1985-01-24 | 1985-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-25 | 1989-01-24 | 1989-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |