US4166953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adaptor in form of a spectral converter
Assignee: Industrie Automation GmbH and Co
•
Filing: 1977-08-22
•
Granted: 1979-09-04
•
Expires: 1997-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An afocal spectral converter as adaptor for existing aiming and sighting devices for the conversion for instance of a heat picture into a visible picture. The arrangement includes the combination of an infrared picture receiving unit with a picture reproducing unit in such a way that the entire system has the enlargement 1:1. The connection of the adaptor with the main device is such that the optical axis of the picture receiving unit is parallel to the optical axis of the main device, and the parallel ray bundle of the picture reproducing unit is so imaged into the main device that the latter will not be influenced.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef F. Menke
- 👤 Rainer Hofmeister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:20
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An adaptor in form of an afocal spectral converter operating as a ray divider for conversion of a heat picture into a visible picture comprising in combination: an existing first device including aiming and sighting means, a second auxiliary device representing adaptor means optically connected to said existing first device and including a receiving unit for receiving infrared rays defining a heat picture and also including a visible picture reproducing unit, the entire system having an enlargement ratio of 1:1, means for connecting said second auxiliary device to said existing first device in such a way that an axis of the path of the rays entering the receiving unit of said second auxiliary device is situated eccentrically but substantially parallel to the optical axis of said existing first device, and means for imaging the parallel ray bundle leaving said picture reproducing unit without affecting said existing first device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An adaptor in form of an afocal spectral converter operating as a ray divider for conversion of a heat picture into a visible picture comprising in combination: an existing first device including aiming and sighting means, a second auxiliary device representing adaptor means optically connected to said existing first device and including a receiving unit for receiving infrared rays defining a heat picture and also including a visible picture reproducing unit, the entire system having an enlargement ratio of 1:1, means for connecting said second auxiliary device to said existing first device in such a way that an axis of the path of the rays entering the receiving unit of said second auxiliary device is situated eccentrically but substantially parallel to the optical axis of said existing first device, and means for imaging the parallel ray bundle leaving said picture reproducing unit without affecting said existing first device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 1, in which said receiving unit is operable to emit electrical signals, and in which said second device includes a first rotatable polygonal prism for cartesian sensing a heat picture in the path of rays entering said receiving unit for converting electrical signals emitted by said receiving unit into a visible picture in the path of rays of said reproducing unit, a second rotatable polygonal prism, shaft means common to said first and second prisms, and motor means drivingly connected to said common shaft means for synchronously driving said first and second prisms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 2, in which said first and second polygonal prisms are designed as dihedral polygonal prisms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 2, in which said two polygonal prisms and the drive motor therefor form a unit tiltable about an axis intersecting the axis of said common shaft means at an angle of substantially 90°, electric drive means being provided for tilting said unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 1, which includes adjusting means in at least one of said optical paths of said receiving unit and reproducing unit for adjusting said units relative to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 1, which includes a ray divider arranged in the path of the parallel rays of said reproducing unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 1, which includes a spectral divider arranged in the path of the parallel rays of said reproducing unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 1, in which said first and second devices are detachably connected to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 1, in which the optical axis of said receiving unit extends substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of said first device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An afocal spectral converter in combination according to claim 1, in which the optical axis of said picture reproducing unit extends substantially parallel to the axis of said picture receiving unit.
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) | 1982-09-03 | 1983-03-05 | 1983-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-03 | 1987-03-05 | 1987-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-03 | 1991-03-05 | 1991-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |