US5585633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Terrestrial sensor device for satellite or the like
Assignee: Matra Marconi Space France SA
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Filing: 1995-08-14
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Granted: 1996-12-17
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Expires: 2015-08-14
Abstract
Abstract The terrestrial sensor device is suitable for use on a satellite or spacecraft. It has a lens for forming an image of the Earth in a focal plane, and a sensor placed in the focal plane. The sensor is constituted by a two-dimensional array of pyroelectric detectors. The device also includes an actuator for oscillating the array in the focal plane, orthogonally to the optical axis of the image-formation lens, at a determined frequency and with an amplitude at least equal to the distribution spacing of the detectors and a processing circuit for acquisition of the output signals of the detectors at the oscillation frequency and for comparison of the output signals with a threshold.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Tulet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:50
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/24; B64G1/36; B64G1/365; G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7868; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/20; H04N23/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
Terrestrial sensor device comprising: lens means for forming an image of the Earth in a focal plane; sensor means placed in the said focal plane, comprising a two-dimensional array of pyroelectric detectors having a predetermined distribution spacing; means for oscillating the array in the focal plane, orthogonally to the optical axis of the lens means, at a predetermined frequency and with an amplitude at least equal to said distribution spacing; and means for acquisition of output signals of the detectors at said predetermined frequency and for comparison of the output signals with a threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
Terrestrial sensor device comprising: lens means for forming an image of the Earth in a focal plane; sensor means placed in the said focal plane, comprising a two-dimensional array of pyroelectric detectors having a predetermined distribution spacing; means for oscillating the array in the focal plane, orthogonally to the optical axis of the lens means, at a predetermined frequency and with an amplitude at least equal to said distribution spacing; and means for acquisition of output signals of the detectors at said predetermined frequency and for comparison of the output signals with a threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein said oscillation means include at least one piezoelectric transducer interposed between a support and the said array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein said array is connected to said acquisition circuit means via an integration and charge-coupled device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Device according to claim 1, for use as a terrestrial horizon sensor on a geostationary satellite, wherein said lens means is arranged to form an image of the entire Earth on the array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Device according to claim 1, for use as a terrestrial horizon sensor on a satellite in low orbit, wherein said lens means is arranged to form an image of four regularly distributed arcs of a periphery of the Earth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein said oscillation means are arranged to give an amount of oscillation between one distribution spacing and 2.5 distribution spacings of said pyroelectric detectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein said pyroelectric detectors are distributed in said array into a plurality of lines parallel to a direction of said oscillation, further comprising means for detecting and storing locations of space/earth and earth/space transition along at least some of said lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Device according to claim 7 for use on a satellite, wherein said lines correspond to latitudes of between 30° et 60° on the Earth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Device according to claim 8, wherein said lines correspond to latitudes of between 45° and 55° on the Earth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Device according to claim 7, wherein said detecting means are arranged to store addresses and output levels of each of said detectors for which an output signal exceeds a predefined threshold and to perform interpolation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-17 | 2000-06-17 | 2000-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-17 | 2004-06-17 | 2004-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-17 | 2008-06-17 | 2008-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |