System and method for testing optical proximity fuses
AssigneeRafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
InventorDov Tibi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system (10) for testing a laser proximity fuse (PF) (12) by simulating a closing velocity to a target along a line of sight (14) includes a static spiral surface (16) and a support arrangement (18) for supporting the proximity fuse (12) with the line of sight (14) directed towards an inside of static spiral surface (16). A folding mirror (20) is driven by a drive motor (22) so as to deflect the line of sight (14) towards progressively closer regions of static spiral surface, thereby simulating a closing velocity. The system can be miniaturized by employing converging optics (24). An alternative embodiment employs a shaped rotor (32) to achieve a similar effect.
Claims9
A system for testing a laser proximity fuse by simulating a closing velocity to a target along a line of sight, the system comprising:
- (a) a static spiral surface;
- (b) a support arrangement for supporting the proximity fuse with the line of sight directed towards an inside of the static spiral surface;
- (c) a folding mirror deployed for deflecting the line of sight towards the static spiral surface;
- and
- (d) a drive motor deployed for rotating said folding mirror such that the line of sight scans along the static spiral surface, thereby simulating a closing velocity.
A method for testing a laser proximity fuse by simulating a closing velocity to a target along a line of sight, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing the system of any one of the preceding claims;
- (b) deploying the proximity fuse supported by said support arrangement so that a line of sight of the laser is directed towards said folding mirror;
- (c) actuating the drive motor so as to rotate the folding mirror;
- and
- (d) actuating the proximity fuse synchronously with rotation of the drive motor so that the laser scans along said static spiral surface, thereby simulating a closing velocity.
A system for testing a laser proximity fuse by simulating a closing velocity to a target along a line of sight, the system comprising:
- (a) a support arrangement for supporting the proximity fuse with the line of sight directed along an optical axis;
- (b) a rotor having external surfaces deployed to intersect the optical axis;
- (c) a drive motor deployed for rotating said rotor to present successive regions of said external surface on said optical axis;
- and
- (d) converging optics deployed between said support arrangement and said rotor, said converging optics having a focal length, and wherein said rotor is deployed at a distance from said converging optics that is less than said focal length,
- wherein said external surfaces of said rotor are shaped such that, when said rotor rotates, a length of a light path from the proximity fuse to the region of the rotor intersected by the optical axis varies so as to simulate a closing velocity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.