USH192H
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Satellite alignment sensor
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1984-01-03
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Granted: 1987-01-06
•
Expires: 2004-01-03
Abstract
Abstract An optical alignment sensor capable of receiving radiation from a collima light source and subsequently providing orientation attitude and alignment data. Collimated light from the source impinges an aperture plate causing a shadow of the aperture plate pattern to fall across a two-dimensional photodetector array. Since the aperture pattern is larger than the active area of the array, only a portion of the light spots forming the aperture plate pattern will fall on the array. By varying the spacing of the apertures in the aperture plate in a known way, the light spots on the array can be associated with specific apertures in the aperture plate. From the location of specific light spots on the array, the angular orientation of the alignment sensor may be determined with respect to the incident beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Daehler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26; G01B11/27; G01B11/272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A sensor for measuring the attitude of said sensor with respect to an incident beam of collimated radiation comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an aperture plate disposed in one end of said housing for receiving said incident beam, said aperture plate being opaque to said incident beam and having an array of circular apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern, said apertures being transparent to said incident beam, incident radiation passing through said apertures producing a radiation spot pattern related to the angle of incidence of said radiation relative to the sensor; and (c) means for detecting said spot pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sensor for measuring the attitude of said sensor with respect to an incident beam of collimated radiation comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an aperture plate disposed in one end of said housing for receiving said incident beam, said aperture plate being opaque to said incident beam and having an array of circular apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern, said apertures being transparent to said incident beam, incident radiation passing through said apertures producing a radiation spot pattern related to the angle of incidence of said radiation relative to the sensor; and (c) means for detecting said spot pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said aperture plate comprises: (a) a radiation transparent element having an opaque coating disposed on one side, said radiation transparent element disposed in said housing so that incident radiation strikes said opaque coating; (b) said opaque coating having an array of circular apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sensor as recited in claim 2 wherein said radiation transparent element has a narrow-band filter coating disposed on the side opposite said opaque coating, said narrow band filter coating passing said incident beam of collimated radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sensor as recited in claim 3 wherein said radiation transparent element is a radiation transparent disk.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for detecting said spot pattern includes: (a) a photodetector array disposed behind said aperture plate so that at least a portion of said spot pattern falls on said photodetector array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sensor as recited in claim 5 wherein said photodetector array is a two-dimensional array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sensor as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for detecting said spot pattern includes: (a) a photodetector array disposed behind said aperture plate so that at least a portion of said spot pattern falls on said photodetector array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sensor as recited in claim 6 wherein said photodetector array is a two-dimensional array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sensor as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for detecting said spot pattern includes: (a) a photodetector array disposed behind said aperture plate so that at least a portion of said spot pattern falls on said photodetector array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor as recited in claim 6 wherein said photodetector array is a charge-injection device array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor as recited in claim 6 wherein said photodetector array is a charge-coupled device array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor as recited in claim 8 wherein said photodetector array is a charge-injection device array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor as recited in claim 8 wherein said photodetector array is a charge-coupled device array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein said array of circular apertures comprises small circular apertures arranged in rows and columns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sensor as recited in claim 14 wherein said array of said circular apertures are arranged in rows and columns having a predetermined variable spacing between said rows and columns.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sensor as recited in claim 15 wherein said rows and columns are arranged so that the center-to-center spacing between any two adjacent rows is different and the center-to-center spacing of any two adjacent columns is different.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
156 words
A sensor for measuring the angle of incidence of a beam of collimated radiation striking said sensor comprising: (a) a housing having a first end oriented to receive the incident beam; (b) an aperture plate disposed in said first end of said housing for receiving said incident beam, said aperture plate being opaque to said incident beam and having an array of circular apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern, said apertures being transparent to said incident beam, incident radiation passing through said apertures producing a radiation spot pattern related to the angle of incidence of said radiation relative to the sensor; and (c) means for detecting said spot pattern, said means for detecting being disposed behind said aperture plate and coaxial with said aperture plate, said means for detecting and said aperture plate being sufficiently separated so that the detected spot pattern is related to the angle of incidence of the beam on said aperture plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
156 words
A sensor for measuring the angle of incidence of a beam of collimated radiation striking said sensor comprising: (a) a housing having a first end oriented to receive the incident beam; (b) an aperture plate disposed in said first end of said housing for receiving said incident beam, said aperture plate being opaque to said incident beam and having an array of circular apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern, said apertures being transparent to said incident beam, incident radiation passing through said apertures producing a radiation spot pattern related to the angle of incidence of said radiation relative to the sensor; and (c) means for detecting said spot pattern, said means for detecting being disposed behind said aperture plate and coaxial with said aperture plate, said means for detecting and said aperture plate being sufficiently separated so that the detected spot pattern is related to the angle of incidence of the beam on said aperture plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor as recited in claim 17 wherein said array of circular apertures comprises small circular apertures arranged in rows and columns.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sensor as recited in claim 18 wherein said array of said circular apertures are arranged in rows and columns having a predetermined variable spacing between said rows and columns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sensor as recited in claim 19 wherein said rows and columns are arranged so that the center-to-center spacing between any two adjacent rows is different and the center-to-center spacing of any two adjacent columns is different.
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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) | 1990-01-05 | 1990-07-07 | 1991-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-07-07 | 1995-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-05 | 1998-07-07 | 1999-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |