Patent US4896032A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4896032A
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Active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1989-01-26
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Granted: 1990-01-23
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Expires: 2009-01-26
Abstract
Abstract An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus utilizing a predetermined number of interferometer units to measure the distances between themselves, the target tracking unit and the beam direction sensing unit. The interferometer units provide the initial alignment reference and by periodic repeat measurements provides distance change data to establish boresight alignment drift correction angles.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Ball
- 👤 Issac Richman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/66; F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/32; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/02001; G01B9/02007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus comprising in combination: means for generating a beam, means for tracking a target, said target tracking means tracking a target and establishing a tracker boresight, means for sensing a beam direction, said beam direction sensing means operatively interacting with a generated beam and establishing a beam boresight for said generated beam, and, means for measuring distance, said distance measuring means operatively connected to said target tracking means and said beam direction sensing means, said distance measuring means making a predetermined number of distance measurements between said target tracking means and said beam direction sensing means, said distance measurements establishing the alignment of said tracker boresight with said beam boresight, an initial calibration state being established when the boresight alignment angle is substantially zero, said distance measuring means providing periodic distance measurements to establish changes in boresight alignment angle, said changes in boresight alignment angle are utilized as boresight alignment drift correction angles which may be utilized to correct the boresight differences between said target tracking means and said beam generating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus comprising in combination: means for generating a beam, means for tracking a target, said target tracking means tracking a target and establishing a tracker boresight, means for sensing a beam direction, said beam direction sensing means operatively interacting with a generated beam and establishing a beam boresight for said generated beam, and, means for measuring distance, said distance measuring means operatively connected to said target tracking means and said beam direction sensing means, said distance measuring means making a predetermined number of distance measurements between said target tracking means and said beam direction sensing means, said distance measurements establishing the alignment of said tracker boresight with said beam boresight, an initial calibration state being established when the boresight alignment angle is substantially zero, said distance measuring means providing periodic distance measurements to establish changes in boresight alignment angle, said changes in boresight alignment angle are utilized as boresight alignment drift correction angles which may be utilized to correct the boresight differences between said target tracking means and said beam generating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said target tracking means comprises an optical tracker.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said beam sensing means comprises a shadow wire beam direction sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said beam generating means comprises a neutral particle beam generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said distant measuring means comprises a predetermined number of interferometers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said shadow wire beam direction sensor comprises a plurality of orthogonal wire pairs which are operatively connected to a housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said predetermined number of interferometers is at least one.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An active boresight drift measurement and calibration apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein each wire of said plurality of orthogonal wire pairs is operatively connected to a wire end point reflector.
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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) | 1993-01-22 | 1993-07-24 | 1994-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-22 | 1997-07-24 | 1998-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-07-24 | 2002-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |