US4603250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image intensifier with time programmed variable gain
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1984-08-24
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Granted: 1986-07-29
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Expires: 2004-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A programmable optical sensor is formed by coupling a proximity focused channel intensifier tube to a silicon target vidicon. The photocathode is gated by a first time programmed voltage and the gain of the microchannel plate is also controlled by a second time programmed voltage. The second voltage is less than 1,000 volts permitting the use of solid state circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel A. Contini
- 👤 Terry E. Carsten
- 👤 Robert J. Basta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4816; G01S7/491; G01S7/4912; H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/26; H01J31/28; H01J31/50; H01J2231/00; H01J2231/50; H01J2231/50005; H01J2231/5001; H01J2231/50015; H01J2231/50057; H01J2231/50068; H01J2231/50084; H01J2231/501; H01J2231/5013; H01J2231/5016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A programmable optical sensor comprising: a proximity focused channel intensifer tube; and a silicon target vidicon optically coupled to said proximity focused channel intensifer tube but electrically isolated therefrom, said proximity focused channel intensifer tube including an image receiving photocathode, and adjacent microchannel plate having first and second electrodes on opposite sides thereof, and a phosphor screen; a first source of direct voltage applying a time programmed variable gating voltage to said photocathode; a second source of direct voltage applying a time programmed variable voltage across said opposite electrodes of said michrochannel plate and being independent of and programmed separately from said first source; a third source of direct voltage applying a fixed voltage to said phosphor screen; optical coupling means between said channel intensifer tube and silcicon target vidicon including a first fiber optic stage in said proximity focused channel intensifer tube adjacent said phosphor screen, and a second fiber optic stage in said silicon target vidicon adjacent said first fiber optic stage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A programmable optical sensor comprising: a proximity focused channel intensifer tube; and a silicon target vidicon optically coupled to said proximity focused channel intensifer tube but electrically isolated therefrom, said proximity focused channel intensifer tube including an image receiving photocathode, and adjacent microchannel plate having first and second electrodes on opposite sides thereof, and a phosphor screen; a first source of direct voltage applying a time programmed variable gating voltage to said photocathode; a second source of direct voltage applying a time programmed variable voltage across said opposite electrodes of said michrochannel plate and being independent of and programmed separately from said first source; a third source of direct voltage applying a fixed voltage to said phosphor screen; optical coupling means between said channel intensifer tube and silcicon target vidicon including a first fiber optic stage in said proximity focused channel intensifer tube adjacent said phosphor screen, and a second fiber optic stage in said silicon target vidicon adjacent said first fiber optic stage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The programmable optical sensor in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said first time programmed voltage source never exceeds 200 volts forward voltage; and said second time programmed voltage source never exceeds 1,000 volts forward voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The programmable optical sensor in accordance with claim 1 including a grounded NESA conductive coat between said first and second fiber optic stages providing electrical isolation between said silicon target vidicon and channel intensifier tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first time programmed voltage source applies a first voltage of from 0 to 100 volts to said photocathode, said second time programmed voltage source applies a second voltage across said electrodes of said microchannel plate of from 0 to 800 volts at a given time after said first voltage, said third voltage source applies a fixed bias voltage of from 3,000 to 5000 volts DC to said phosphor screen, said first and second voltages being terminated after from 20 to 100 microseconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said second electrode of said microchannel plate is connected to ground.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-28 | 1990-01-27 | 1990-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-28 | 1994-01-27 | 1994-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-28 | 1998-01-27 | 1998-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |