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US 5,315,363 AGranted
Night vision projected infrared cueing system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsJohn E. Nettleton, Dallas N. Barr, James D. Habersat, Jonathan S. Lei
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Circuitry and method to enhance the infrared illumination of nearby obstas detected by lidar, radar and passive IR detectors on low flying high speed aircraft.
Claims10
An obstacle avoidance system for the pilot of a low flying aircraft;
- comprising:
- a forward looking infrared laser ranging device, having normal and enhanced illuminating modes of operation;
- an audio/visual alarm circuit means, coupled to said device, to alert said pilot when detection of an obstacle within a threshold distance from said aircraft by said ranging device initiates a warning pulse;
- and
- a highlighting circuit means coupled with said device to switch it to said enhanced mode in response to said warning pulse and thereby increase the level of infrared light illuminating said obstacle by approximately an order of magnitude.
2 more elements
A method for alerting the pilot of a low flying aircraft to the presence of a low visibility obstacle;
- including the steps of:
- A. Detecting the presence of said obstacle with an angularly scanned infrared laser ranging device;
- B. Displaying a visual indication of said obstacle's presence;
- C. Activating an alarm system, when said obstacle comes within a preselected threshold of visible range;
- and
- D. Illuminating said obstacle with radiation approximately an order of magnitude higher than the normal output of said ranging device when the range of said obstacle is less than said threshold of range for a period no longer than that over which said obstacle is detected.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.