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US 11,016,285 B2Granted
Shuttered switch mirror
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsLi Chiao Po, Eric J. Griffin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a sensor system having a structure having a reflective surface, wherein the structure is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. Channels provide respective paths from an entry into the channels to the reflective surface. A shroud selectively block ones of the channels to provide an operational configuration and a calibration configuration.
Claims18
A sensor system, comprising:
- a body having a reflective surface, wherein the body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis;
- a plurality of channels providing respective closed paths from an entry into the channels to the reflective surface, wherein the plurality of channels comprises first, second, third, and fourth channels;
- a shroud to selectively block one or more of the channels, wherein the shroud has a first position to create a path from a first channel of the plurality of channels configured for receiving target energy to the reflective surface while blocking at least a second channel of the plurality of channels, and a second position to create a path from the second channel configured for receiving configuration energy to the reflective surface while blocking at least the first channel;
- and
- a sensor array to receive energy reflected by the reflective surface,
- wherein the shroud in the first position is configured such that energy from the first channel is reflected by the reflective surface to the sensor array, energy from the second and third channels is blocked by the shroud from reaching the sensor array, and energy from the fourth channel is blocked by the body and/or the shroud from reaching the sensor array.
3 more elements
A method, comprising:
- employing a body having a reflective surface in a sensor system, wherein the body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis;
- employing a plurality of channels to provide respective closed paths from an entry into the channels to the reflective surface wherein the plurality of channels comprises first, second, third, and fourth channels;
- employing a shroud to selectively block one or more of the channels, wherein the shroud has a first position to create a path from a first channel of the plurality of channels configured for receiving target energy to the reflective surface while blocking at least a second channel of the plurality of channels, and a second position to create a path from the second channel configured for receiving configuration energy to the reflective surface while blocking at least the first channel;
- and
- employing a sensor array to receive energy reflected by the reflective surface,
- wherein the shroud in the first position is configured such that energy from the first channel is reflected by the reflective surface to the sensor array, energy from the second and third channels is blocked by the shroud from reaching the sensor array, and energy from the fourth channel is blocked by the body and/or the shroud from reaching the sensor array.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.