US4794430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid state reticle projector for a weapon sight
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-29
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Granted: 1988-12-27
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Expires: 2007-04-29
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a reticle generator having an azimuth array (64) of light emitting diode filament lines and an elevation array (66) of orthogonal light emitting diode filament lines. The arrays (64, 66) are fixed by rigid bracket members (136, 144) with respect to the faces (74, 80) of a partially reflecting prism (76). An illuminated LED filament line projected into the prism (76) by azimuth array (64) is reflected by the partially reflecting surface (82), and emitted from prism face (84). A selected LED filament (78) from elevation array (66) is transmitted through the prism (76) and emitted from face (84) and thus superimposed with the azimuth filament line (72).
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F. Whittaker
- 👤 Wayne E. Isbell
- 👤 Peter Sorensen, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:25
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/02; G02B23/10; F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/06; G02B27/00; G02B27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A reticle generator, comprising: a first array including a plurality of elongate, closely spaced light emitting diode filaments formed on a first substrate; a second array including a plurality of elongate closely spaced light emitting diode filaments formed on a second substrate; said first and second arrays each being individually encapsulated and having a transparent window through which light from the respective arrays is emitted; optical superimposing means comprising a prism structure with a first face oriented orthogonal to a second face thereof, a partially reflecting surface oriented at an angle with respect to said first and second faces, and a third face disposed in a plane parallel to one said first or second faces; and means for fixing the windowed part of said first array with respect to said first face of said prism, and for fixing the windowed part of said second array with respect to said second face of said prism to provide a reticle image having superimposed filament images of said first and second arrays exiting said third prism face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A reticle generator, comprising: a first array including a plurality of elongate, closely spaced light emitting diode filaments formed on a first substrate; a second array including a plurality of elongate closely spaced light emitting diode filaments formed on a second substrate; said first and second arrays each being individually encapsulated and having a transparent window through which light from the respective arrays is emitted; optical superimposing means comprising a prism structure with a first face oriented orthogonal to a second face thereof, a partially reflecting surface oriented at an angle with respect to said first and second faces, and a third face disposed in a plane parallel to one said first or second faces; and means for fixing the windowed part of said first array with respect to said first face of said prism, and for fixing the windowed part of said second array with respect to said second face of said prism to provide a reticle image having superimposed filament images of said first and second arrays exiting said third prism face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The reticle generator of claim 1 wherein said first array is arranged with respect to said second array such that said elongated lines of each said array are oriented substantially orthogonal with respect to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reticle generator of claim 1 wherein said optical superimposing means defines a first optical superimposing means, and further including a second optical superimposing means for superimposing an image with said reticle image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The reticle generator of claim 1 further including an analog-to-digital converter for converting analog signals representative of the coordinates of a spatial location into associated digital signals, and means for decoding said digital signals to access said first and second arrays to illuminate one said filament in each said array so that the intersection of said accessed filaments corresponds to said spatial location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reticle generator of claim 1 further including means for varying the intensity of the light emitted from the selected filament of each said array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The reticle generator of claim 5 wherein said means for varying the light intensity includes manual means for providing any desired light intensity between a minimum and a maximum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reticle generator of claim 6 wherein said manual means comprises a variable resistor for controlling a pulse width output of an astable multivibrator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The reticle generator of claim 1 further including an optical table, and means for fixing to said table said first and second encapsulated arrays and said prism structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The reticle generator of claim 8 further including means for adjusting said first and second arrays with respect to said prism structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
A reticle array device, comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of elongate, parallel spaced filament lines of material formed on said substrate which can be illuminated when a voltage is impressed thereacross; a plurality of groups of said lines of material defined by an electrical short circuit at the end of each said group of lines; a first plurality of access conductors connected to one end of ones of said lines, and a second plurality of access conductors each connected to one said short circuited group; and encapsulating means for housing said substrate for protection from the environment; a plurality of electrical terminals connected to said filament lines and extending from said encapsulating means; and a transparent window cover sealed by said encapsulating means, and disposed adjacent to said filament lines so that light emitted from said lines can be transmitted through said window cover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A reticle array device, comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of elongate, parallel spaced filament lines of material formed on said substrate which can be illuminated when a voltage is impressed thereacross; a plurality of groups of said lines of material defined by an electrical short circuit at the end of each said group of lines; a first plurality of access conductors connected to one end of ones of said lines, and a second plurality of access conductors each connected to one said short circuited group; and encapsulating means for housing said substrate for protection from the environment; a plurality of electrical terminals connected to said filament lines and extending from said encapsulating means; and a transparent window cover sealed by said encapsulating means, and disposed adjacent to said filament lines so that light emitted from said lines can be transmitted through said window cover.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reticle array of claim 10 wherein said filament lines are formed with a width of about 0.1 mils.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The reticle array of claim 10 wherein said filament lines are spaced about 0.5 mils apart.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
A reticle generator, comprising: a plurality of azimuth light emitting diode filament lines; a plurality of elevation light emitting diode filament lines; means for selectively driving one said azimuth filament line and one said elevation filament line at a time with a voltage; and an illumination control for said azimuth and elevation filament lines, comprising means for varying a duty cycle of said voltage to obtain a continiuum of illuminations between a minimum and maximum, said control including a variable resistance for controlling the duty cycle of a multivibrator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
A reticle generator, comprising: a plurality of azimuth light emitting diode filament lines; a plurality of elevation light emitting diode filament lines; means for selectively driving one said azimuth filament line and one said elevation filament line at a time with a voltage; and an illumination control for said azimuth and elevation filament lines, comprising means for varying a duty cycle of said voltage to obtain a continiuum of illuminations between a minimum and maximum, said control including a variable resistance for controlling the duty cycle of a multivibrator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The reticle generator of claim 13 wherein said illumination control further comprises a demultiplexer with a control input adapted for activating a plurality of outputs connected to said azimuth and elevation filament lines, and means for cyclically driving said control input.
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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) | 1991-12-27 | 1992-06-27 | 1992-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-27 | 1996-06-27 | 1996-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-27 | 2000-06-27 | 2000-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |