US4518218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stepped polygon scan mirror
Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Co
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Filing: 1983-09-26
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Granted: 1985-05-21
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Expires: 2003-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A mirror assembly for scanning incoming radiation from a scene onto one or more radiation detectors. The mirror assembly includes a cylindrical mirror arrangement having at least two mirror faces arranged around a central axis. Each mirror face is made up of a plurality of planar mirror segments. The mirror segments are arranged to form a stepped structure in which each mirror segment in a given mirror face is parallel to each other mirror segment in the mirror face.
Inventors
- 👤 Neal Diepeveen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/12; G02B5/00; G02B5/08; G02B5/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A mirror assembly for scanning incoming radiation from a scene onto one or more radiation detectors, said mirror assembly comprising: a cylindrical mirror arrangement having n mirror faces arranged around an axis, n being an integer greater than or equal to two; characterized in that each mirror face comprises a plurality of planar mirror segments, the mirror segments being arranged to form a stepped structure in which each mirror segment in a given mirror face is parallel to each other mirror segment in the mirror face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A mirror assembly for scanning incoming radiation from a scene onto one or more radiation detectors, said mirror assembly comprising: a cylindrical mirror arrangement having n mirror faces arranged around an axis, n being an integer greater than or equal to two; characterized in that each mirror face comprises a plurality of planar mirror segments, the mirror segments being arranged to form a stepped structure in which each mirror segment in a given mirror face is parallel to each other mirror segment in the mirror face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the axis of the cylindrical mirror arrangement is an n-fold axis of rotational symmetry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that a cross-section through each mirror face, in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the mirror arrangement, approximates an arc of a circle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that each mirror face has a reflection plane of symmetry, where the symmetry plane lies in the middle of the mirror face.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the cylindrical mirror arrangement has six mirror faces.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for scanning radiation onto a target, said system comprising: a housing having an aperture through which incoming radiation can pass into the housing; a target in the housing; and a mirror assembly, in the housing, for scanning the incoming radiation onto the target, said mirror assembly comprising; a cylindrical mirror arrangement having n mirror faces arranged around an axis, n being an integer greater than or equal to two; wherein each mirror face comprises a plurality of planar mirror segments, the mirror segments being arranged to form a stepped structure in which each mirror segment in a given mirror face is parallel to each other mirror segment in the mirror face.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for scanning radiation onto a target, said system comprising: a housing having an aperture through which incoming radiation can pass into the housing; a target in the housing; and a mirror assembly, in the housing, for scanning the incoming radiation onto the target, said mirror assembly comprising; a cylindrical mirror arrangement having n mirror faces arranged around an axis, n being an integer greater than or equal to two; wherein each mirror face comprises a plurality of planar mirror segments, the mirror segments being arranged to form a stepped structure in which each mirror segment in a given mirror face is parallel to each other mirror segment in the mirror face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the axis of the cylindrical mirror arrangement is an n-fold axis of rotational symmetry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the target comprises an array of infrared detectors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the system further comprises a lens, arranged between the target and the mirror assembly, said target being arranged in a focal plane of the lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that a cross-section through each mirror face, in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the mirror arrangement, approximates an arc of a circle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that each mirror face has a reflection plane of symmetry, where the symmetry plane lies in the middle of the mirror face.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the cylindrical mirror arrangement has six mirror faces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A scan mirror comprising; a cylindrical mirror arrangement having at least two mirror faces arranged symmetrically around a central axis; characterized in that each mirror face comprises a plurality of planar submirrors arranged in parallel planes, each submirror having a geometric center, the centers of each submirror in a mirror face lying substantially on an arc of a circle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
A scan mirror comprising; a cylindrical mirror arrangement having at least two mirror faces arranged symmetrically around a central axis; characterized in that each mirror face comprises a plurality of planar submirrors arranged in parallel planes, each submirror having a geometric center, the centers of each submirror in a mirror face lying substantially on an arc of a circle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A scan mirror as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that each mirror face has a reflection plane of symmetry, where the symmetry plane lies in the middle of the mirror face.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A scan mirror as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the cylindrical mirror arrangement has six mirror faces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3488102A
Cited
US3614193A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-20 | 1988-11-19 | 1989-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-20 | 1992-11-19 | 1993-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-20 | 1996-11-19 | 1997-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |