Yaw sensing conical scanner horizon sensor

Abstract

A radiation detector is scanned over two fan fields of view by first and second cylindrical lenses spaced about the axis of rotation of a common optical element positioned on the axis of rotation. The optical element is rotated about the optical axis by a motor or the rotation of the orbiting body on which the scanner is mounted. In one form the common optical element is a chisel mirror having the first and second cylindrical lenses positioned on opposite sides thereof and tilted at an angle of 45.degree. with respect to the axis of rotation producing two fan fields which are 180.degree. apart in phase. As an alternative the common optical element may comprise a cylinder having the second cylindrical lens positioned along with a bevelled reflective upper surface for producing a vertical fan field. The cylindrical lenses and common optical element may be incorporated in a conical scanner employing an infrared detector which systems can be combined to produce yaw, pitch, roll, attitude information in a single horizon sensor head.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.