Patent US5587784A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5587784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multispectral-staring sensor
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1995-06-16
•
Granted: 1996-12-24
•
Expires: 2015-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A multispectral imaging sensor. The inventive sensor (10) includes a broadband detector (30) capable of sensing electromagnetic energy across a spectra of interest. A filter arrangement (20) is mounted within the sensor in alignment with the detector (30). The sensor arrangement (20) includes a first filter (24) with a first passband, a second filter (26) with a second passband, and a mechanism for selectively positioning either the first filter (24) or the second filter (26) in optical alignment with the detector (30). In a specific embodiment, infrared and visible light are directed to the filter arrangement by a reflective optical arrangement (16, 18, 19). The positioning arrangement includes a turntable (22) on which the first filter (24) and second filter (24) are disposed. A motor (27) activates the turntable (220 from a first position at which the first filter (24) is in alignment with the detector (30) and the reflective optical arrangement (16, 18, 19) to a second position at which the second filter (26) is in alignment with the detector (30) and the optical arrangement (16, 18, 19). Multispectral imaging sensing is effected by simply switching the appropriate filter into the optical path of the detector (30).
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Y. Pines
- 👤 Donald F. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/28; G01J3/2823; G01C; G01C11/00; G01C11/02; G01J3/02; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0235
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A multispectral imaging sensor comprising: first means for sensing electromagnetic energy, the first means including a broadband detector capable of sensing energy in multiple bands of an electromagnetic spectrum; second means in alignment with the first means for selectively filtering the electromagnetic energy for input to the first means, the second means including: a first filter with a first passband, a second filter with a second passband, and means for selectively positioning either the first filter or the second filter in optical alignment with the first means; and third means for directing electromagnetic energy from an input aperture to the second means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A multispectral imaging sensor comprising: first means for sensing electromagnetic energy, the first means including a broadband detector capable of sensing energy in multiple bands of an electromagnetic spectrum; second means in alignment with the first means for selectively filtering the electromagnetic energy for input to the first means, the second means including: a first filter with a first passband, a second filter with a second passband, and means for selectively positioning either the first filter or the second filter in optical alignment with the first means; and third means for directing electromagnetic energy from an input aperture to the second means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the broadband detector is capable of sensing energy in the visible and infrared portions of an electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the detector is a VISMIR detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 3 further including a dewar for the detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 4 further including means for cooling the dewar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the first filter passes energy in an infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and the second filter passes energy in a visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for positioning includes a turntable on which the first filter and second second filter are disposed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the means for positioning further includes means for activating the turntable from a first position at which the first filter is in alignment with the first means and the third means to a second position at which the second filtter is in alignment with the first means and the third means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the second means further includes a third filter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the third means is a reflective optical arrangement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein the optical arrangement includes a primary mirror, a secondary mirror and a tertiary mirror disposed in optical alignment with the input aperture and the second means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
A multispectral imaging sensor comprising: first means for sensing electromagnetic energy, the first means including a broadband detector capable of sensing energy in multiple bands of an electromagnetic spectrum; second means in alignment with the first means for selectively filtering the electromagnetic energy for input to the first means, the second means including: a first filter with a first passband, a second filter with a second passband, and means for selectively positioning either the first filter or the second filter in optical alignment with the first means; and third means for directing electromagnetic energy from an input aperture to the second means, the third means including a reflective optical arrangement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
110 words
A multispectral imaging sensor comprising: first means for sensing electromagnetic energy, the first means including a broadband detector capable of sensing energy in multiple bands of an electromagnetic spectrum; second means in alignment with the first means for selectively filtering the electromagnetic energy for input to the first means, the second means including: a first filter with a first passband, a second filter with a second passband, and means for selectively positioning either the first filter or the second filter in optical alignment with the first means; and third means for directing electromagnetic energy from an input aperture to the second means, the third means including a reflective optical arrangement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein the first filter passes energy in an infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and the second filter passes energy in a visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein the means for positioning includes a turntable on which the first filter and second second filter are disposed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein the means for positioning further includes means for activating the turntable from a first position at which the first filter is in alignment with the first means and the third means to a second position at which the second filtter is in alignment with the first means and the second means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 15 further including a motor for actuating the turntable and electronic means for controlling the acutation of the motor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the second means further includes a third filter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the optical arrangement includes a primary mirror, a secondary mirror and a tertiary mirror disposed in optical alignment with the input aperture and the second means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for sensing energy in multiple bands of the electromagnetic spectrum including the steps of: reflecting input electromagnetic energy to through a first filter having a first passband to a broadband detector capable of sensing energy in multiple bands of an electromagnetic spectrum; substituting a second filter for the first filter, the second filter having a second passband; and detecting the input electromagnetic energy passed by the second filter.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for sensing energy in multiple bands of the electromagnetic spectrum including the steps of: reflecting input electromagnetic energy to through a first filter having a first passband to a broadband detector capable of sensing energy in multiple bands of an electromagnetic spectrum; substituting a second filter for the first filter, the second filter having a second passband; and detecting the input electromagnetic energy passed by the second filter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4009393A
Cited
US3971939A
Cited
US4325083A
Cited
US4345840A
Cited
US4599001A
Cited
US5047638A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-24 | 2000-06-24 | 2000-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-24 | 2004-06-24 | 2004-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-24 | 2008-06-24 | 2008-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |