Star tracker with adjustable light shield
US12130141B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2020 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/75
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A navigation system includes a star camera having a field of view. The star camera includes a sun shields that selectively block portions of the star camera's field of view, to prevent unwanted light, such as light from the sun or moon, reaching image sensors of the star cameras. Some sun shields include x-y stages or r-θ stages to selectively position a light blocker to block the unwanted light. Some sun shields use positionable partially overlapping orthogonally polarized filters to block the unwanted light. Some sun shields use counter-wound spiral windows that are selectively rotated to block the unwanted light. Some sun shields a curved surface that defines a plurality of apertures fitted with individual mechanical or electronic shutters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.