US4255765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Theodolite for tracking and measuring a flying object with a TV camera arranged at a telescope
Assignee: Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
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Filing: 1979-09-07
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A theodolite for target tracking and target measuring with a telescope composed of a mirror objective and a collimator. The real image produced by the mirror objective is projected to infinity by the collimator, so that there is formed an afocal beam of light. This beam of light is delivered by means of a partially permeable mirror surface to a television camera and at least one other image evaluation device (camera). The television camera is arranged at the telescope at an unlaterable position with respect to the telescope tube. The partially permeable mirror surface, branching-off part of the beam of light to the television camera, is arranged between the collimator and a further mirror surface serving for fading-in the image of a crosshair at the beam of light. The invention advantageously serves for constructng a theodolite having a control of the target tracking by the signals emanating from the television camera (TV-tracking).
Inventors
- 👤 C. Friso van Mansvelt
- 👤 Hansruedi Ritter
- 👤 Walter Eicher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C1/00; G01C1/02; G01C1/04; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A theodolite for tracking and measuring a flying target comprising: telescope means having a telescope tube; said telescope means containing a mirror objective and a collimator; a theodolite housing; means for mounting said telescope means rotatably relative to the theodolite housing about a substantially horizontal axis; means for mounting said theodolite housing for rotation about a substantially vertical axis; said collimator projecting a real image produced by the mirror objective to infinity, to thereby deliver an afocal bundle of light rays; a television camera; at least one image evaluation device; means defining a first partially permeable mirror surface; said bundle of light rays being delivered by means of said first partially permeable mirror surface to said television camera and said at least one image evaluation device; means for producing an image of a crosshair; means defining a second mirror surface for fading-in the image of the crosshair at the light beam bundle; at least one of said image evaluation devices having a faded-in image appearing therein; said television camera having a faded-in free image appearing therein; and said mirror objective, said collimator, said first and second mirror surfaces and at least one further mirror surface are linearly arranged in an afocal bundle of light beams extending essentially linearly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A theodolite for tracking and measuring a flying target comprising: telescope means having a telescope tube; said telescope means containing a mirror objective and a collimator; a theodolite housing; means for mounting said telescope means rotatably relative to the theodolite housing about a substantially horizontal axis; means for mounting said theodolite housing for rotation about a substantially vertical axis; said collimator projecting a real image produced by the mirror objective to infinity, to thereby deliver an afocal bundle of light rays; a television camera; at least one image evaluation device; means defining a first partially permeable mirror surface; said bundle of light rays being delivered by means of said first partially permeable mirror surface to said television camera and said at least one image evaluation device; means for producing an image of a crosshair; means defining a second mirror surface for fading-in the image of the crosshair at the light beam bundle; at least one of said image evaluation devices having a faded-in image appearing therein; said television camera having a faded-in free image appearing therein; and said mirror objective, said collimator, said first and second mirror surfaces and at least one further mirror surface are linearly arranged in an afocal bundle of light beams extending essentially linearly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The theodolite as defined in claim 1, wherein: said first mirror surface and said television camera are arranged at said telescope means in an unalterable position relative to said telescope tube; and said first mirror surface is arranged between said collimator and said second mirror surface.
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) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |