US6198564B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical scanning system
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1973-01-29
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Granted: 2001-03-06
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Expires: 1993-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A system using a scanning mirror for scanning the field of view of an optical objective. The scanning mirror is mounted for rotation about an axis transverse to the major plane of the mirror and for pivotal oscillation about an axis lying substantially within the major plane of the mirror. The combined effect of rotation and pivotal movement is to scan the field of view of an optical objective. The scanning angle and other significant characteristics of the scan pattern may be changed as desired by means external to the system, producing, for example, a rosette, spiral, or circular scanned pattern with or without dimensional changes in the total scanned field of view. Such a scanning system may be embodied in seeker systems used for the guidance of radiation-seeking missiles operating in single or multiple regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey C. Knight
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:11
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2253; F41G7/2213; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293; G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A scanning mirror apparatus for use in a scanning optical system comprising: mirror means for reflecting incident rays of radiant energy, rotation means for rotating said mirror means about an axis normal to the major plane of said mirror means, oscillation drive means for pivoting said mirror means back and forth on a pivot bearing on an axis lying in said major plane, means for biasing said mirror means to a predetermined central planar orientation, said oscillation drive means forcing said mirror means to pivot against said bias, said mirror means including a magnetic material spaced from said pivot axis, and said oscillation drive means comprising electromagnetic means mounted for rotation with said mirror means and fixed against pivoting for attracting said magnetic material of said mirror means and pivoting said mirror means on both sides of the said central planar orientation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A scanning mirror apparatus for use in a scanning optical system comprising: mirror means for reflecting incident rays of radiant energy, rotation means for rotating said mirror means about an axis normal to the major plane of said mirror means, oscillation drive means for pivoting said mirror means back and forth on a pivot bearing on an axis lying in said major plane, means for biasing said mirror means to a predetermined central planar orientation, said oscillation drive means forcing said mirror means to pivot against said bias, said mirror means including a magnetic material spaced from said pivot axis, and said oscillation drive means comprising electromagnetic means mounted for rotation with said mirror means and fixed against pivoting for attracting said magnetic material of said mirror means and pivoting said mirror means on both sides of the said central planar orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The scanning mirror apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said means for biasing said mirror means comprises tension spring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: said pivot bearing comprises a spring element having a flexure axis corresponding to said pivot axis.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for scanning the field of an optical objective comprising: a radiation detector for detecting rays of radiant energy, primary mirror means for reflecting and converging said rays of radiant energy from the entire field of view of said optical objective secondary mirror means for receiving said rays of radiant energy from said primary mirror means, said secondary mirror means mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the major plane of said secondary mirror means, and said secondary mirror means additionally mounted on a pivot bearing for pivoting said secondary mirror means back and forth on an axis lying in said major plane, said secondary mirror means for scanning substantially all of said field of view across the relatively smaller field of view of said radiation detector, said secondary mirror means being driven to pivot about said pivot axis by electromagnet means mounted adjacent to and in axial alignment with said secondary mirror means, said electromagnet means rotating with said secondary mirror means, said secondary mirror means including cooperating magnetic materials spaced from said pivot axis, said electromagnet means being driven to pivot said secondary mirror means during rotation of said secondary mirror means, and said electromagnet means is driven by a substantially sinusoidally varying drive current at a frequency greater than the rotation frequency of said secondary mirror during each rotation of said secondary mirror means to produce a rosette scan.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for scanning the field of an optical objective comprising: a radiation detector for detecting rays of radiant energy, primary mirror means for reflecting and converging said rays of radiant energy from the entire field of view of said optical objective secondary mirror means for receiving said rays of radiant energy from said primary mirror means, said secondary mirror means mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the major plane of said secondary mirror means, and said secondary mirror means additionally mounted on a pivot bearing for pivoting said secondary mirror means back and forth on an axis lying in said major plane, said secondary mirror means for scanning substantially all of said field of view across the relatively smaller field of view of said radiation detector, said secondary mirror means being driven to pivot about said pivot axis by electromagnet means mounted adjacent to and in axial alignment with said secondary mirror means, said electromagnet means rotating with said secondary mirror means, said secondary mirror means including cooperating magnetic materials spaced from said pivot axis, said electromagnet means being driven to pivot said secondary mirror means during rotation of said secondary mirror means, and said electromagnet means is driven by a substantially sinusoidally varying drive current at a frequency greater than the rotation frequency of said secondary mirror during each rotation of said secondary mirror means to produce a rosette scan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 4 wherein: said pivot bearing comprises a spring element having a flexure axis corresponding to said pivot axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 4 wherein: the amplitude of said drive current is varied to vary the effective field of view of said objective.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 4 wherein: said secondary mirror means is supported from said primary mirror means, said secondary mirror means comprising a toroidal portion of substantially spherical surface mounted for gimballed rotation about said detector.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
196 words
A system for scanning the field of an optical objective comprising: a radiation detector for detecting rays of radiant energy, primary mirror means for reflecting and converging said rays of radiant energy from the entire field of view of said optical objective, secondary mirror means for receiving said rays of radiant energy from said primary mirror means, said secondary mirror means mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the major plane of said secondary mirror means, said secondary mirror means additionally mounted on a pivot bearing for pivoting said secondary mirror means back and forth on an axis lying in said major plane, said secondary mirror means for scanning substantially all of said field of view across the relatively smaller field of view of said radiation detector, said secondary mirror means being driven to pivot about said pivot axis by permanent magnet means mounted adjacent to and in axial alignment with said secondary mirror means, said secondary mirror means including cooperating magnetic material spaced from said pivot axis, said permanent magnet means alternately attracting and repelling said magnetic material during rotation of said secondary mirror means to produce oscillating tilting of said secondary mirror means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
196 words
A system for scanning the field of an optical objective comprising: a radiation detector for detecting rays of radiant energy, primary mirror means for reflecting and converging said rays of radiant energy from the entire field of view of said optical objective, secondary mirror means for receiving said rays of radiant energy from said primary mirror means, said secondary mirror means mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the major plane of said secondary mirror means, said secondary mirror means additionally mounted on a pivot bearing for pivoting said secondary mirror means back and forth on an axis lying in said major plane, said secondary mirror means for scanning substantially all of said field of view across the relatively smaller field of view of said radiation detector, said secondary mirror means being driven to pivot about said pivot axis by permanent magnet means mounted adjacent to and in axial alignment with said secondary mirror means, said secondary mirror means including cooperating magnetic material spaced from said pivot axis, said permanent magnet means alternately attracting and repelling said magnetic material during rotation of said secondary mirror means to produce oscillating tilting of said secondary mirror means.
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) | 2004-03-05 | 2004-09-04 | 2005-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-05 | 2008-09-04 | 2009-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-05 | 2012-09-04 | 2013-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |