Retrofit line of sight stabilization apparatus and method
US5424872A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 8, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/644
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for stabilizing a line of sight of an optical system without the use of gimbals. The apparatus includes a fixed plano-concave lens element mounted in a frame and a moveable plano-convex lens element mounted in a carriage. The frame mounts onto a preexisting optical system such that the lens elements are nominally aligned with the line of sight of the preexisting optical system. A motor driving unit is provided in the frame which moves the plano-convex lens element back and forth relative to the fixed plano-concave lens element about two orthogonal movement axes in response to small amplitude disturbances imparted to the optical system. The line of sight stabilization apparatus is suitable for retrofit installation onto preexisting optical systems, and in particular, to missile tracking guidance and sighting systems which were originally manufactured or installed without line of sight stabilization capability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.