US4980565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optical target acquisition system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1973-08-16
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Granted: 1990-12-25
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Expires: 1993-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optical target acquisition system having a scanning mirror whichotates through a 360° azimuthal plane. The infrared (IR) signal of a target is reflected off a mirror and imaged by a lens through an optical derotator onto a linear array of IR detectors. The detectors produce a current proportional to the strength of the IR signal. The current of each detector channel is amplified and fed to a corresponding light emitting diode, LED, that is part of a linear array of diodes. This light is imaged by a coupling lens through an optical rotator onto the photosurface of an image intensifier tube. The light image of the LED's creates a corresponding electron image. The electron image is swept across the tube and impinges onto the tube's phosphor output plate and creates a light output. The light output is an intensified image of the LED's.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Jehle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 00:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/64; G02B27/642; G02B23/00; G02B23/02; G02B23/08; G02B23/12; G02B27/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A target acquisition system comprising: means for scanning infrared light in a 360 degree azimuthal plane; means for converting said infrared light into a stationary linear array of visible light; means for dividing said visible light into a first and second beam; means for sweeping out and intensifying said first beam to form a first annular pattern for visual observation; means for sweeping out and intensifying said second beam to form a second annular pattern; means for detecting a portion of said second annular pattern; and, threshold means for producing an alarm signal to indicate the presence of a target whenever the intensity of said detected portion of said second annular pattern exceeds a threshold level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A target acquisition system comprising: means for scanning infrared light in a 360 degree azimuthal plane; means for converting said infrared light into a stationary linear array of visible light; means for dividing said visible light into a first and second beam; means for sweeping out and intensifying said first beam to form a first annular pattern for visual observation; means for sweeping out and intensifying said second beam to form a second annular pattern; means for detecting a portion of said second annular pattern; and, threshold means for producing an alarm signal to indicate the presence of a target whenever the intensity of said detected portion of said second annular pattern exceeds a threshold level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for sweeping out said first annular pattern comprises a rotating prism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for intensifying said first beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said means for intensifying said first beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for sweeping out said second annular pattern comprises a rotating prism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for intensifying said second beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said means for intensifying said second beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said means for sweeping out said second annular pattern comprises a rotating prism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said means for sweeping out said second annular pattern comprises a rotating prism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said means for sweeping out said second annular pattern comprises a rotating prism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said means for intensifying said second beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said means for intensifying said second beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said means for intensifying said second beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said means for intensifying said second beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said means for intensifying said second beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said means for intensifying said second beam comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for converting said infrared light into a stationary linear array of visible light comprises a derotator prism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said means for converting said infrared light into a stationary linear array of visible light comprises a derotator prism.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said means for converting said infrared light into a stationary linear array of visible light comprises a derotator prism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3715497A
Cited
US3781559A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |