US5600491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal imaging system for a military vehicle
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1995-04-28
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Granted: 1997-02-04
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Expires: 2015-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A thermal imaging system (100) for a vehicle includes an objective lens (104) for receiving an image of the object, an eyepiece lens (102) for viewing the image of the object, and a compensator lens (106) movably located between the objective and eyepiece lenses (104, 102) for providing a thermal image of the object. The system (100) includes a servo motor control system (107, 109, 110, 112 and 114) for controlling the position of the compensator lens (106) based upon temperature, range and field of view to provide an accurate thermal image of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Hull
- 👤 Richard R. Smith
- 👤 Mark R. Ehlers
- 👤 Michael J. Brothers
- 👤 Kenneth W. Lee
- 👤 Dietmar Hanke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B15/00; G02B15/02; G02B23/00; G02B23/12; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a first lens for receiving an image of an object; a second lens in optical alignment with the first lens for viewing the image of the object; and means in optical communication with said first and second lens for compensating for changes in the optical performance thereof, wherein said means for compensating includes: a third lens; means for moving said third lens, said means for moving including a position actuator and a controller for same; and a sensor for receiving temperature information and providing a voltage representative of temperature information to the controller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a first lens for receiving an image of an object; a second lens in optical alignment with the first lens for viewing the image of the object; and means in optical communication with said first and second lens for compensating for changes in the optical performance thereof, wherein said means for compensating includes: a third lens; means for moving said third lens, said means for moving including a position actuator and a controller for same; and a sensor for receiving temperature information and providing a voltage representative of temperature information to the controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for compensating includes means for compensating for changes in the magnification of the first and second lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for compensating includes means for compensating for changes in the field-of-view of the first and second lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for compensating includes means for compensating for changes in the temperature of the first and second lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the third lens is a compensator lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a three field of view (FOV) telescope including a wide field of view (WFOV), a narrow field of view (NFOV), and a fixed medium field of view (MFOV); a compensator lens movably located within the three FOV telescope for providing an accurate thermal image of the object; and a control means for controlling the position of the compensator lens, the control means further comprising: a servo motor coupled to the compensator lens for moving the compensator lens, a microcontroller for controlling the servo motor, a sensor for receiving temperature information for and providing a voltage representative of the temperature information to the microcontroller, a range encoder for providing information regarding the distance of the object to the microcontroller, and a switch means coupled to the microcontroller for switching the three FOV telescope between the WFOV, NFOV, and the fixed MFOV.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a three field of view (FOV) telescope including a wide field of view (WFOV), a narrow field of view (NFOV), and a fixed medium field of view (MFOV); a compensator lens movably located within the three FOV telescope for providing an accurate thermal image of the object; and a control means for controlling the position of the compensator lens, the control means further comprising: a servo motor coupled to the compensator lens for moving the compensator lens, a microcontroller for controlling the servo motor, a sensor for receiving temperature information for and providing a voltage representative of the temperature information to the microcontroller, a range encoder for providing information regarding the distance of the object to the microcontroller, and a switch means coupled to the microcontroller for switching the three FOV telescope between the WFOV, NFOV, and the fixed MFOV.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The thermal imaging system of claim 6, further comprising a refractive lens cradle for isolating the three FOV telescope from vibration and shock.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A thermal imaging method for a vehicle comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an image of object on a first lens; (b) viewing the image of a object on a second lens; (c) receiving information about the object related to temperature, range, or field of view; and (d) moving a third lens located between the first and second lenses to provide an accurate thermal image of the object based upon step (c).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A thermal imaging method for a vehicle comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an image of object on a first lens; (b) viewing the image of a object on a second lens; (c) receiving information about the object related to temperature, range, or field of view; and (d) moving a third lens located between the first and second lenses to provide an accurate thermal image of the object based upon step (c).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a first lens for receiving an image of an object; a second lens in optical alignment with the first lens for viewing the image of the object; and means in optical communication with said first and second lens for compensating for changes in the optical performance thereof, wherein said means for compensating includes: a third lens; means for moving said third lens, said means for moving including a position actuator and a controller for same; and range encoder means for providing information regarding the distance of the object to the controller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a first lens for receiving an image of an object; a second lens in optical alignment with the first lens for viewing the image of the object; and means in optical communication with said first and second lens for compensating for changes in the optical performance thereof, wherein said means for compensating includes: a third lens; means for moving said third lens, said means for moving including a position actuator and a controller for same; and range encoder means for providing information regarding the distance of the object to the controller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a first lens for receiving an image of an object; a second lens in optical alignment with the first lens for viewing the image of the object; and means in optical communication with said first and second lens for compensating for changes in the optical performance thereof, wherein said means for compensating includes: a third lens; means for moving said third lens, said means for moving including a position actuator and a controller for same; and a switch means coupled to the controller for switching the thermal imaging system between a plurality of field of views.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a first lens for receiving an image of an object; a second lens in optical alignment with the first lens for viewing the image of the object; and means in optical communication with said first and second lens for compensating for changes in the optical performance thereof, wherein said means for compensating includes: a third lens; means for moving said third lens, said means for moving including a position actuator and a controller for same; and a switch means coupled to the controller for switching the thermal imaging system between a plurality of field of views.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a first lens for receiving an image of an object; a second lens in optical alignment with the first lens for viewing the image of the object; and means in optical communication with said first and second lens for compensating for changes in the optical performance thereof, wherein said means for compensating includes means for compensating for changes in the temperature of the first and second lens.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
A thermal imaging system for a vehicle comprising: a first lens for receiving an image of an object; a second lens in optical alignment with the first lens for viewing the image of the object; and means in optical communication with said first and second lens for compensating for changes in the optical performance thereof, wherein said means for compensating includes means for compensating for changes in the temperature of the first and second lens.
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) | 2000-02-04 | 2000-08-05 | 2001-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-04 | 2004-08-05 | 2005-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-04 | 2008-08-05 | 2009-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |