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Patent US4788423A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4788423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Two-mirror scanning system
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1987-05-26
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2007-05-26
Abstract
Abstract An optical scanning system (10) is disclosed for scanning a wide incoming field of view of at least 60 degrees. The system (10) incorporates two flat mirrors (12,26) which rotate about two axes (20,28). The motion of the two mirrors is synchronized. The resulting scanned image is directed onto a sensor (54) with minimal rotation and distortion of the image.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Cline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for receiving incident light from a scanned field of view and directing said incident light onto a sensor, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first mirror; (b) a second mirror; (c) the first mirror being mounted at a first angle on a post, said post having an axis parallel to the incident light; (d) the second mirror being mounted at a second angle for receiving incident light received from the first mirror, said second mirror serving to reflect light to the sensor; (e) first rotation means for rotating the post about a first axis perpendicular to the incident light; (f) second rotation means for rotating the second mirror about a second axis parallel to the incident light; and (g) synchronization means for coupling the rotation of the post about the first axis with the rotation of the second mirror about the second axis, whereby the incident light is reflected from the first mirror to the second mirror and then to the sensor to permit a field of view to be scanned and imaged by the sensor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for receiving incident light from a scanned field of view and directing said incident light onto a sensor, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first mirror; (b) a second mirror; (c) the first mirror being mounted at a first angle on a post, said post having an axis parallel to the incident light; (d) the second mirror being mounted at a second angle for receiving incident light received from the first mirror, said second mirror serving to reflect light to the sensor; (e) first rotation means for rotating the post about a first axis perpendicular to the incident light; (f) second rotation means for rotating the second mirror about a second axis parallel to the incident light; and (g) synchronization means for coupling the rotation of the post about the first axis with the rotation of the second mirror about the second axis, whereby the incident light is reflected from the first mirror to the second mirror and then to the sensor to permit a field of view to be scanned and imaged by the sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first angle at which the first mirror is mounted is 22.5 degrees with respect to the axis of the post; and said second angle at which the second mirror is mounted is 67.5 degrees with respect to the second axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said synchronization means causes the rate of rotation of the post about the first axis to be equal to the rate of rotation of the second mirror about the second axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said first axis is connected to a drive system including means for perodically rotating the first axis through a predetermined angular range of motion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a frame for mounting both the first rotation means and the second rotation means in a fixed relationship with respect to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said sensor is an electronic infrared photodetector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said first mirror and said second mirror are both flat mirrors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said synchronization means comprises: (a) a first rotation coupling arm attached to the first axis; (b) a second rotation coupling arm attached to the second axis; and (c) coupling means for translating motion of the first rotation coupling arm to the second rotation coupling arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said coupling means includes a pair of cables connected to said first and second coupling means and a system of pulleys which translate rotational motion about the first axis to rotational motion about the second axis.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
324 words
An apparatus for receiving incident light from a scanned field of view and directing said incident light onto a sensor, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first flat mirror; (b) a second flat mirror; (c) the first mirror being mounted on a post at an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to the post, said post having an axis parallel to the incident light; (d) the second mirror being mounted on a second axis at an angle of 67.5 degrees with respect to the second axis for receiving incident light received from the first mirror, said second mirror serving to reflect light to the sensor; (e) first rotation means for rotating the post about a first axis perpendicular to the incident light; (f) second rotation means for rotating the second mirror about the second axis parallel to the incident light; (g) synchronization means for coupling the rotation of the post about the first axis with the rotation of the second mirror about the second axis where said synchronization means causes the rate of rotation of the post about the first axis to be equal to the rate of rotation of the second mirror about the second axis, said synchronization means including; a first rotation coupling arm attached to the first axis, a second rotation coupling arm attached to the second axis, and coupling means for translating motion of the first rotation coupling arm with the motion of the second rotation coupling arm, whereby the incident light is reflected from the first mirror to the second mirror and then to the sensor to permit a field of view of about 60 degrees to be scanned and imaged by the sensor; (h) a frame for mounting both the first rotation means and the second rotation means in a fixed relationship with respect to each other; and (i) drive means connected to said first axis for periodically rotating the first axis through a predetermined angular range of motion.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
324 words
An apparatus for receiving incident light from a scanned field of view and directing said incident light onto a sensor, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first flat mirror; (b) a second flat mirror; (c) the first mirror being mounted on a post at an angle of 22.5 degrees with respect to the post, said post having an axis parallel to the incident light; (d) the second mirror being mounted on a second axis at an angle of 67.5 degrees with respect to the second axis for receiving incident light received from the first mirror, said second mirror serving to reflect light to the sensor; (e) first rotation means for rotating the post about a first axis perpendicular to the incident light; (f) second rotation means for rotating the second mirror about the second axis parallel to the incident light; (g) synchronization means for coupling the rotation of the post about the first axis with the rotation of the second mirror about the second axis where said synchronization means causes the rate of rotation of the post about the first axis to be equal to the rate of rotation of the second mirror about the second axis, said synchronization means including; a first rotation coupling arm attached to the first axis, a second rotation coupling arm attached to the second axis, and coupling means for translating motion of the first rotation coupling arm with the motion of the second rotation coupling arm, whereby the incident light is reflected from the first mirror to the second mirror and then to the sensor to permit a field of view of about 60 degrees to be scanned and imaged by the sensor; (h) a frame for mounting both the first rotation means and the second rotation means in a fixed relationship with respect to each other; and (i) drive means connected to said first axis for periodically rotating the first axis through a predetermined angular range of motion.
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) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |