Patent US4690351A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4690351A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared seeker
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1986-02-11
•
Granted: 1987-09-01
•
Expires: 2006-02-11
Abstract
Abstract An infrared seeker for use in a spinning projectile is shown to include a Cassegrainian telescope having a tapered optical wedge overlying the entrance aperture, such wedge being rotatably mounted to allow scanning and tracking, and a jettisonable streamlined cover overlying the optical wedge to reduce drag so long as such cover is in place.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Beckerleg
- 👤 Mark R. Fernald
- 👤 Richard R. LaTorre
- 👤 Vincent A. Grosso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:45
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293; F41G7/2213; F41G7/222; F41G7/2253; G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
For use in a spinning projectile, an infrared seeker comprising: (a) an optical wedge fabricated from germanium and prestressed, such wedge serving as the entrance of a Cassegranian telescope having a small field of view; (b) means for rotatably mounting the optical wedge about the longitudinal axis of such telescope to provide the gimbal function for the Cassegranian telescope; and (c) means for producing a signal indicative of the orientation of the optical wedge with respect to the longitudinal axis which, when combined with an on-board spin timing measurement and I.R. detector output properly signal processed, will supply, in inertial coordinates, the time rate of change of the target's angular position without regard to the projectile's angular or positional motion to guide to intercept with the target.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
For use in a spinning projectile, an infrared seeker comprising: (a) an optical wedge fabricated from germanium and prestressed, such wedge serving as the entrance of a Cassegranian telescope having a small field of view; (b) means for rotatably mounting the optical wedge about the longitudinal axis of such telescope to provide the gimbal function for the Cassegranian telescope; and (c) means for producing a signal indicative of the orientation of the optical wedge with respect to the longitudinal axis which, when combined with an on-board spin timing measurement and I.R. detector output properly signal processed, will supply, in inertial coordinates, the time rate of change of the target's angular position without regard to the projectile's angular or positional motion to guide to intercept with the target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An infrared seeker as in claim 1 having, additionally, a housing shaped as an ogive overlying the optical wedge and means for jettisoning such housing.
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) | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-02 | 1991-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-31 | 1995-03-02 | 1995-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-31 | 1999-03-02 | 1999-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |