US4134009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic focused microchannel plate image intensifier having dynamic range enhancement
Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-13
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Granted: 1979-01-09
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Expires: 1997-06-13
Abstract
Abstract The dynamic range enhancement of the image intensifier is provided by an electrically conductive membrane or mesh which is disposed within the intensifier between the photocathode and the microchannel plate and a pulse width modulator to provide a control signal proportional to the light level adjacent the output window of the intensifier to provide a control signal for the membrane or mesh to control the electron image from the photocathode.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J. Dippold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/50; H01J2231/00; H01J2231/50; H01J2231/50005; H01J2231/5001; H01J2231/50015; H01J2231/50057; H01J2231/50063; H01J2231/501; H01J2231/5013; H01J2231/5016; H01J2231/505; H01J2231/5056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
In a magnetic focused microchannel plate image intensifier including an optically transparent input faceplate, a photocathode in contact with said faceplate, a microchannel plate spaced axially along said intensifier from said photocathode, a phosphor screen disposed adjacent the output of said intensifier and an output window in contact with said screen, an arrangement to enhance the dynamic range of said intensifier comprising: gating means disposed within said intensifier between said photocathode and said microchannel plate; and means external of said intensifier coupled to said gating means and disposed adjacent said output window to provide a control signal proportional to light level adjacent said output window to control an electron image from said photocathode by said gating means to achieve enhancement of the dynamic range of said intensifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a magnetic focused microchannel plate image intensifier including an optically transparent input faceplate, a photocathode in contact with said faceplate, a microchannel plate spaced axially along said intensifier from said photocathode, a phosphor screen disposed adjacent the output of said intensifier and an output window in contact with said screen, an arrangement to enhance the dynamic range of said intensifier comprising: gating means disposed within said intensifier between said photocathode and said microchannel plate; and means external of said intensifier coupled to said gating means and disposed adjacent said output window to provide a control signal proportional to light level adjacent said output window to control an electron image from said photocathode by said gating means to achieve enhancement of the dynamic range of said intensifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control signal includes a pulse width modulated signal whose pulse width is directly proportional to said light level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said gating means includes an electrically conductive membrane which is transparent to said electron image for one set of values of said pulse width, reflective to said electron image for another set of values of said pulse width and collective of said electron image for a further set of values of said pulse width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said means includes a photodetector adjacent said output window, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said photodetector to produce said control signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said means includes an Image Isocon camera disposed adjacent said output window, a photodetector disposed adjacent the output of said camera, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said photodetector to produce said control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said means includes a first photodetector disposed adjacent said output window, an Image Isocon camera disposed adjacent said output window, a second photodetector disposed adjacent the output of said camera, a microprocessor coupled to said first and second photodetectors to average input signals from both of said first and second photodetectors and programmed to handle countermeasure transients, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said microprocessor to produce said control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said gating means includes an electrically conductive mesh which is transparent to said electron image for one set of values of said pulse width, reflective to said electron image for another set of values of said pulse width and collective of said electron image for a further set of values of said pulse width.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said means includes a photodetector adjacent said output window, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said photodetector to produce said control signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said means includes an Image Isocon camera disposed adjacent said output window, a photodetector disposed adjacent the output of said camera, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said photodetector to produce said control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said means includes a first photodetector disposed adjacent said output window, an Image Isocon camera disposed adjacent said output window, a second photodetector disposed adjacent the output of said camera, a microprocessor coupled to said first and second photodetectors to average input signals from both of said first and second photodetectors and programmed to handle countermeasure transients, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said microprocessor to produce said control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said means includes a photodetector adjacent said output window, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said photodetector to produce said control signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said means includes an Image Isocon camera disposed adjacent said output window, a photodetector disposed adjacent the output of said camera, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said photodetector to produce said control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said means includes a first photodetector disposed adjacent said output window, an Image Isocon camera disposed adjacent said output window, a second photodetector disposed adjacent the output of said camera, a microprocessor coupled to said first and second photodetectors to average input signals from both of said first and second photodetectors and programmed to handle countermeasure transients, and a pulse width modulator coupled to said microprocessor to produce said control signal.
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) | 1982-01-08 | 1982-07-10 | 1983-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-08 | 1986-07-10 | 1987-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-08 | 1990-07-10 | 1991-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |