US4650325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser tracker designator
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1985-02-08
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Granted: 1987-03-17
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Expires: 2005-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A laser source projects a main beam through a central hole formed in an optical wedge. A portion of the laser light is refracted through the wedge and forms an optical side lobe. By rotating the wedge the side lobe undergoes a conical scan enhancing the tracking capability of the laser beam. A laser range finder processes the reflected return of the conical scan from a target and establishes an error signal which is minimized when equal reflections are obtained at spaced points along the conical scan thereby establishing a tracking direction which is coincident with the optical center of the target.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth I. Crowder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
In a laser tracking system, an optical side lobe generator comprising: a laser source for generating a main beam; an optical wedge having an aperture formed therein through which a portion of the main beam passes, a fraction of the main beam being refracted by the wedge to form a side lobe; and means for rotating the wedge about the main beam causing the side lobe to undergo conical scanning about the main beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a laser tracking system, an optical side lobe generator comprising: a laser source for generating a main beam; an optical wedge having an aperture formed therein through which a portion of the main beam passes, a fraction of the main beam being refracted by the wedge to form a side lobe; and means for rotating the wedge about the main beam causing the side lobe to undergo conical scanning about the main beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The generator set forth in claim 1 together with means connected to the wedge for measuring its rotational displacement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A laser tracking system comprising: a laser source for generating a main beam; an optical wedge having an aperture formed therein through which a portion of the main beam passes, a fraction of the main beam being refracted by the wedge to form a side lobe; means for rotating the wedge about the main beam causing the side lobe to undergo conical scanning about the main beam; means connected to the wedge for measuring its rotational displacement; range finding means located in an optical path coincident with light returned from a target illuminated by the main beam, the range finder means serving to determine imbalance of returned light relative to an optical center of the target.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
A laser tracking system comprising: a laser source for generating a main beam; an optical wedge having an aperture formed therein through which a portion of the main beam passes, a fraction of the main beam being refracted by the wedge to form a side lobe; means for rotating the wedge about the main beam causing the side lobe to undergo conical scanning about the main beam; means connected to the wedge for measuring its rotational displacement; range finding means located in an optical path coincident with light returned from a target illuminated by the main beam, the range finder means serving to determine imbalance of returned light relative to an optical center of the target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system set forth in claim 3 together with servo means having inputs connected to the output of the range finder and the measuring means for moving the laser source and the wedge in a direction minimizing the imbalances thereby aligning the main beam with the optical center of the target.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system set forth in claim 4 wherein the measuring means comprises a position resolver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system set forth in claim 4 wherein the means for rotating the wedge comprises: a drive motor; gear means connected to the wedge; intermediate gear means connected between the motor and the wedge gear means for rotating the wedge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system set forth in claim 6 together with gear means interconnected with the wedge gear means for driving the resolver as the wedge rotates.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for tracking targets with a laser source comprising the steps: generating a main beam in the direction of a target; refracting a portion of the light from the main beam to form an optical side lobe; rotating the side lobe in a conical scan motion; measuring returned light at diametrically opposite points in the conical scan; generating an error signal indicative of the imbalance of returned light relative to an optic center of a tracked target.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for tracking targets with a laser source comprising the steps: generating a main beam in the direction of a target; refracting a portion of the light from the main beam to form an optical side lobe; rotating the side lobe in a conical scan motion; measuring returned light at diametrically opposite points in the conical scan; generating an error signal indicative of the imbalance of returned light relative to an optic center of a tracked target.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method set forth in claim 8 wherein the main beam passes light through the aperture of an optical wedge, and further wherein the wedge refracts a portion of the light from the main beam to form the optical side lobe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method set forth in claim 9 together with the step of rotating the wedge about the main beam to cause conical scanning of the side lobe.
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) | 1990-03-16 | 1990-09-15 | 1991-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-16 | 1994-09-15 | 1995-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-16 | 1998-09-15 | 1999-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |