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US5079414A
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Tracking telescope using an atomic resonance filter
Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems Corp
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Filing: 1990-10-09
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Granted: 1992-01-07
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Expires: 2010-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A tracking system to enable a tracking telescope follow a light source, utilizes an atomic resonance filter positioned in close proximity to said telescope, and imaging optics positioned between the light source and the atomic resonance filter. The atomic resonance filter is positioned such that light signals from the light source pass through the imaging optics and are focused in a region within its interior. A plurality of optical sensors are positioned to detect re-emitted light signals from the atomic resonance filter. The optical sensors convert the detected re-emitted light signals to electrical signals proportional to the intensity of said re-emitted light signals. The telescope is repositioned by using these differences in electrical signals to equalize the re-emitted light signals detected by each of the optical sensors, thereby pointing the telescope directly at incoming light from the light source. Several configurations of the imaging optics, the atomic resonance filter and the optical sensors are possible.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A tracking system to enable a tracking telescope follow a light source, comprising: an atomic resonance filter positioned in close proximity to said telescope; optical imaging means positioned between said light source and said atomic resonance filter, in close proximity to said atomic resonance filter; said atomic resonance filter positioned such that light signals from said light source passing through said optical imaging means toward said atomic resonance filter are focused in a region within said atomic resonance filter; a plurality of optical sensor means positioned after said atomic resonance filter to detect a plurality of re-emitted light signals from said atomic resonance filter, said optical sensor means being positioned to maximize said detected signals from said re-emitted light; said optical sensor means further including means to convert said detected re-emitted light signals to electrical signals proportional to the intensity of said re-emitted light signals from said region; means to reposition said telescope using the differences in electrical signals to equalize said re-emitted light signals detected by each of said optical sensors and thereby point said telescope directly at incoming light from said light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A tracking system to enable a tracking telescope follow a light source, comprising: an atomic resonance filter positioned in close proximity to said telescope; optical imaging means positioned between said light source and said atomic resonance filter, in close proximity to said atomic resonance filter; said atomic resonance filter positioned such that light signals from said light source passing through said optical imaging means toward said atomic resonance filter are focused in a region within said atomic resonance filter; a plurality of optical sensor means positioned after said atomic resonance filter to detect a plurality of re-emitted light signals from said atomic resonance filter, said optical sensor means being positioned to maximize said detected signals from said re-emitted light; said optical sensor means further including means to convert said detected re-emitted light signals to electrical signals proportional to the intensity of said re-emitted light signals from said region; means to reposition said telescope using the differences in electrical signals to equalize said re-emitted light signals detected by each of said optical sensors and thereby point said telescope directly at incoming light from said light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: partitioning means within said atomic resonance filter to optically partition said filter into quadrants; and said optical sensor means comprising at least one optical sensor per quadrant to detect re-emitted light signals from each of said quadrants.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
A tracking system to enable a tracking telescope follow a light source, comprising: a fiber-optic bundle; optical imaging means positioned between said light source and said fiber-optic bundle, such that, said fiber-optic bundle is positioned near the focal plane of said optical imaging means to collect the focused light from said optical imaging means; said fiber-optic bundle being subdivided into a plurality of sub-bundles; one atomic resonance filter connected to each of said fiber-optic sub-bundles such that light signals from said light source passing through said optical imaging means and focused near said fiber-optic bundles are conveyed to each of said atomic resonance filters in proportion to the amount of light falling on said fiber-optic sub-bundles; at least one optical sensor means positioned after each of said atomic resonance filters to detect re-emitted light signals from said atomic resonance filters, each of said optical sensor means being positioned to maximize said detected signals from said re-emitted light; said optical sensor means further including means to convert said detected re-emitted light signals to electrical signals proportional to the intensity of said re-emitted light signals from said atomic resonance filters; means to reposition said telescope using said electrical signals to equalize said re-emitted light signals detected by said optical sensors, thereby pointing said telescope directly at incoming light from said light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
220 words
A tracking system to enable a tracking telescope follow a light source, comprising: a fiber-optic bundle; optical imaging means positioned between said light source and said fiber-optic bundle, such that, said fiber-optic bundle is positioned near the focal plane of said optical imaging means to collect the focused light from said optical imaging means; said fiber-optic bundle being subdivided into a plurality of sub-bundles; one atomic resonance filter connected to each of said fiber-optic sub-bundles such that light signals from said light source passing through said optical imaging means and focused near said fiber-optic bundles are conveyed to each of said atomic resonance filters in proportion to the amount of light falling on said fiber-optic sub-bundles; at least one optical sensor means positioned after each of said atomic resonance filters to detect re-emitted light signals from said atomic resonance filters, each of said optical sensor means being positioned to maximize said detected signals from said re-emitted light; said optical sensor means further including means to convert said detected re-emitted light signals to electrical signals proportional to the intensity of said re-emitted light signals from said atomic resonance filters; means to reposition said telescope using said electrical signals to equalize said re-emitted light signals detected by said optical sensors, thereby pointing said telescope directly at incoming light from said light source.
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) | 1995-01-06 | 1995-07-08 | 1996-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-06 | 1999-07-08 | 2000-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-06 | 2003-07-08 | 2004-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |