US4775217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Night vision viewing system
Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
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Filing: 1987-03-23
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Granted: 1988-10-04
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Expires: 2007-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A helmet mounted binocular goggle night vision viewing system comprising two independent night vision viewing arrangements, one for each eye of a wearer of the helmet, supported from above the face aperture of the helmet, each viewing arrangement comprising an optical projector arranged to project an intensified image of a scene ahead of the helmet wearer downwardly to a body of light refractive material in front of the wearer's eye having parallel flat fore and aft surfaces spanned by an upper surface via which light from the projector enters the body for reflection towards a curved partially reflective, partially transmissive surface within the body by which the light is reflected back towards the aft surface for transmission therethrough to the wearer's eye, thereby to provide the wearer with a view of the projected image superimposed on his view of the scene ahead through the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Stafford M. Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:15
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/0406; A42B3/042; G; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/16; G02B23/00; G02B23/12; G02B23/125; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/0172; G02B27/0176; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/011; G02B2027/0132; G02B2027/0138; G02B2027/0143; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0154; G02B2027/0156; G02B2027/0159; G02B2027/0174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
A night vision viewing system comprising: (A) a helmet having a face aperture; and (B) a night vision goggle arrangement fixedly supported on the helmet from a position above said face aperture, said night vision goggle arrangement including two independent viewing arrangements, one for each eye of a wearer of the helmet, each said viewing arrangement providing the associated eye of the wearer with a direct view of a portion of the scene ahead of the wearer on which is superimposed in register for simultaneous viewing an intensified image of said portion of the said scene, each said viewing arrangement including: (a) a frame part; (b) an optical projector supported by said frame part, said optical projector having I. an image intensifier and II. optical means having the optical effect of a roof prism arranged in conjunction with said image intensifier so that when the helmet is being worn they will project an intensified image of said portion of the scene ahead of the wearer in a substantially downwards direction in relation to said face aperture; and (c) a body of light-refractive material below said projector and in front of a respective one of the eyes of the wearer, said body having I. an upper surface, II. flat parallel fore and aft further surfaces spanned by said upper surface, and III. an additional internal surface within said body between said fore and aft further surfaces and concavely curved towards said aft further surface, said additional internal surface possessing both light-reflecting and light-transmitting properties IV. said upper surface, said fore and aft further surfaces and said concavely curved additional surface being angularly mutually disposed (i) so that rays of said intensified image from said optical projector
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
A night vision viewing system comprising: (A) a helmet having a face aperture; and (B) a night vision goggle arrangement fixedly supported on the helmet from a position above said face aperture, said night vision goggle arrangement including two independent viewing arrangements, one for each eye of a wearer of the helmet, each said viewing arrangement providing the associated eye of the wearer with a direct view of a portion of the scene ahead of the wearer on which is superimposed in register for simultaneous viewing an intensified image of said portion of the said scene, each said viewing arrangement including: (a) a frame part; (b) an optical projector supported by said frame part, said optical projector having I. an image intensifier and II. optical means having the optical effect of a roof prism arranged in conjunction with said image intensifier so that when the helmet is being worn they will project an intensified image of said portion of the scene ahead of the wearer in a substantially downwards direction in relation to said face aperture; and (c) a body of light-refractive material below said projector and in front of a respective one of the eyes of the wearer, said body having I. an upper surface, II. flat parallel fore and aft further surfaces spanned by said upper surface, and III. an additional internal surface within said body between said fore and aft further surfaces and concavely curved towards said aft further surface, said additional internal surface possessing both light-reflecting and light-transmitting properties IV. said upper surface, said fore and aft further surfaces and said concavely curved additional surface being angularly mutually disposed (i) so that rays of said intensified image from said optical projector
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
enter said body at said upper surface, 2. are totally internally reflected forwardly towards said curved additional surface, 3. are reflected at said curved surface rearwardly towards said aft further surface, and 4. finally are transmitted through said aft further surface to the wearer's eye, and (ii) so as to provide the associated eye of the wearer with a view of said scene ahead of the wearer through said body on which view said intensified image is superimposed in register.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
enter said body at said upper surface, 2. are totally internally reflected forwardly towards said curved additional surface, 3. are reflected at said curved surface rearwardly towards said aft further surface, and 4. finally are transmitted through said aft further surface to the wearer's eye, and (ii) so as to provide the associated eye of the wearer with a view of said scene ahead of the wearer through said body on which view said intensified image is superimposed in register.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein, in each said viewing arrangement, said curved additional surface is provided by a tuned optical coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein, in each said viewing arrangement, said optical means is between said image intensifier and the scene ahead of the wearer and the optical projector further includes an objective between said optical means and the scene ahead of the wearer, said objective having an optical axis, and said optical means serving to fold the optical axis of rays from the objective so that said rays are directed downwardly onto the image intensifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said viewing arrangements includes means for injecting into the field of view of a wearer of the helmet optical data additional to said view of the scene ahead of the wearer through said body and said intensified image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said means for injecting optical data comprises a reticle positioned in the light path through said one of the viewing arrangements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said reticle is positioned between said image intensifier and said upper surface of said body of light refractive material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said means for injecting optical data comprises a display device providing an image of said optical data and an optical system whereby a real image of said optical data is projected onto an input face of said image intensifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said display device comprises the final element of a remotely mounted television sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said optical system comprises a relay lens and a prism element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein, in each said viewing arrangement, said optical means is between said image intensifier and the scene ahead of the wearer and the optical projector further includes an objective between said optical means and the scene ahead of the wearer, and in said one of said viewing arrangements said prism element forms a composite prism with said optical means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
189 words
A night vision viewing system comprising: a viewing arrangement providing an eye of a user of the system with a direct view of a portion of a scene ahead of the user on which is superimposed in register for simultaneous viewing an intensified image of said portion of the said scene, said viewing arrangement including: (a) a frame part; (b) an optical projector supported by said frame part, said optical projector having I. an image intensifier and II. optical means arranged in conjunction with said image intensifier so as to project an intensified image of said portion of the scene ahead of the user; and (c) a body of light-refractive material mounted on said frame part in front of the eye of the user, said body having I. an input surface, II. flat parallel fore and aft further surfaces, and III. an additional internal surface within said body between said fore and aft further surfaces and concavely curved towards said aft further surface, said additional internal surface possessing both light-reflecting and light-transmitting properties, IV. the arrangement being such that (i) rays of said intensified image from said optical projector
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
189 words
A night vision viewing system comprising: a viewing arrangement providing an eye of a user of the system with a direct view of a portion of a scene ahead of the user on which is superimposed in register for simultaneous viewing an intensified image of said portion of the said scene, said viewing arrangement including: (a) a frame part; (b) an optical projector supported by said frame part, said optical projector having I. an image intensifier and II. optical means arranged in conjunction with said image intensifier so as to project an intensified image of said portion of the scene ahead of the user; and (c) a body of light-refractive material mounted on said frame part in front of the eye of the user, said body having I. an input surface, II. flat parallel fore and aft further surfaces, and III. an additional internal surface within said body between said fore and aft further surfaces and concavely curved towards said aft further surface, said additional internal surface possessing both light-reflecting and light-transmitting properties, IV. the arrangement being such that (i) rays of said intensified image from said optical projector
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
enter said body at said input surface, 2. are totally internally reflected forwardly towards said curved additional surface, 3. are reflected at said curved surface rearwardly towards said aft further surface, and 4. finally are transmitted through said aft further surface to the user's eye, and (ii) the eye of the user is provided with a view of said scene ahead of the user through said body on which view said intensified image is superimposed in register.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
77 words
enter said body at said input surface, 2. are totally internally reflected forwardly towards said curved additional surface, 3. are reflected at said curved surface rearwardly towards said aft further surface, and 4. finally are transmitted through said aft further surface to the user's eye, and (ii) the eye of the user is provided with a view of said scene ahead of the user through said body on which view said intensified image is superimposed in register.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
209 words
A night vision viewing system comprising a viewing arrangement providing an eye of a user of the system with a direct view of a portion of a scene ahead of the user on which is superimposed in register for simultaneous viewing an intensified image of said portion on the said scene, said viewing arrangement including: (a) a frame part; (b) an optical projector supported by said frame part, said optical projector having I. an image intensifier and II. optical means arranged in conjunction with said image intensifier so as to project an intensified image of said portion of the scene ahead of the user; and (c) a body of light-refractive material mounted on said frame part in front of the eye of the user, said body having I. an input surface, II. flat fore and aft further surfaces spanned by said input surface, and III. an additional internal surface within said body between said fore and aft further surfaces and concavely curved towards said aft further surface, said additional internal surface possessing both light-reflecting and light-transmitting properties, IV. said input surface, said fore and aft further surfaces and said concavely curved additional surface being angularly mutually disposed (i) so that rays of said intensified image from said optical projector
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
209 words
A night vision viewing system comprising a viewing arrangement providing an eye of a user of the system with a direct view of a portion of a scene ahead of the user on which is superimposed in register for simultaneous viewing an intensified image of said portion on the said scene, said viewing arrangement including: (a) a frame part; (b) an optical projector supported by said frame part, said optical projector having I. an image intensifier and II. optical means arranged in conjunction with said image intensifier so as to project an intensified image of said portion of the scene ahead of the user; and (c) a body of light-refractive material mounted on said frame part in front of the eye of the user, said body having I. an input surface, II. flat fore and aft further surfaces spanned by said input surface, and III. an additional internal surface within said body between said fore and aft further surfaces and concavely curved towards said aft further surface, said additional internal surface possessing both light-reflecting and light-transmitting properties, IV. said input surface, said fore and aft further surfaces and said concavely curved additional surface being angularly mutually disposed (i) so that rays of said intensified image from said optical projector
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
84 words
enter said body at said input surface, 2. are totally internally reflected forwardly at said aft further surface towards said curved additional surface, 3. are reflected at said curved surface rearwardly towards said aft further surface, and 4. finally are transmitted through said aft further surface to the user's eye, and (ii) so as to provide the eye of the user with a view of said scene ahead of the user through said body on which view said intensified image is superimposed in register.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
84 words
enter said body at said input surface, 2. are totally internally reflected forwardly at said aft further surface towards said curved additional surface, 3. are reflected at said curved surface rearwardly towards said aft further surface, and 4. finally are transmitted through said aft further surface to the user's eye, and (ii) so as to provide the eye of the user with a view of said scene ahead of the user through said body on which view said intensified image is superimposed in register.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
258 words
A night vision viewing system comprising: (A) a helmet having a face aperture; and (B) a night vision goggle arrangement fixedly supported on the helmet from a position above said face aperture, said night vision goggle arrangement including two independent viewing arrangements, one for each eye of a wearer of the helmet, each said viewing arrangement providing the associated eye of the wearer with a direct view of a portion of the scene ahead of the wearer on which is superimposed in register for simultaneous viewing an intensified image of said portion of the said scene, each said viewing arrangement including: (a) a frame part; (b) an optical projector supported by said frame part, said optical projector having I. an image intensifier and II. optical means arranged in conjunction with said image intensifier to project an intensified image of said portion of the scene ahead of the wearer; and (c) a body of light-refractive material mounted on said frame part in front of a respective one of the eyes of the wearer, said body having I. an input surface, II. flat parallel fore and aft further surfaces spanned by said input surface, and III. an additional internal surface within the body between said fore and aft further surfaces and concavely curved towards said aft further surface, said additional internal surface possessing both light-reflecting and light-transmitting properties, IV. said input surface, said fore and aft further surfaces and said concavely curved additional surface being angularly mutually disposed (i) so that rays of said intensified image from said optical projector
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
258 words
A night vision viewing system comprising: (A) a helmet having a face aperture; and (B) a night vision goggle arrangement fixedly supported on the helmet from a position above said face aperture, said night vision goggle arrangement including two independent viewing arrangements, one for each eye of a wearer of the helmet, each said viewing arrangement providing the associated eye of the wearer with a direct view of a portion of the scene ahead of the wearer on which is superimposed in register for simultaneous viewing an intensified image of said portion of the said scene, each said viewing arrangement including: (a) a frame part; (b) an optical projector supported by said frame part, said optical projector having I. an image intensifier and II. optical means arranged in conjunction with said image intensifier to project an intensified image of said portion of the scene ahead of the wearer; and (c) a body of light-refractive material mounted on said frame part in front of a respective one of the eyes of the wearer, said body having I. an input surface, II. flat parallel fore and aft further surfaces spanned by said input surface, and III. an additional internal surface within the body between said fore and aft further surfaces and concavely curved towards said aft further surface, said additional internal surface possessing both light-reflecting and light-transmitting properties, IV. said input surface, said fore and aft further surfaces and said concavely curved additional surface being angularly mutually disposed (i) so that rays of said intensified image from said optical projector
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
80 words
enter said body at said input surface, 2. are totally internally reflected forwardly towards said curved additional surface, 3. are reflected at said curved surface rearwardly towards said aft further surface, and 4. finally are transmitted through said aft further surface to the wearer's eye, and (ii) so as to provide the associated eye of the wearer with a view of said scene ahead of the wearer through said body on which view said intensified image is superimposed in register.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
80 words
enter said body at said input surface, 2. are totally internally reflected forwardly towards said curved additional surface, 3. are reflected at said curved surface rearwardly towards said aft further surface, and 4. finally are transmitted through said aft further surface to the wearer's eye, and (ii) so as to provide the associated eye of the wearer with a view of said scene ahead of the wearer through said body on which view said intensified image is superimposed in register.
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) | 1991-10-04 | 1992-04-04 | 1992-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-04-04 | 1996-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-04 | 2000-04-04 | 2000-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |