US 5,512,741 AGranted

Target acquisition optoelectronic system with a very wide field

AssigneesThomson-CSF, Societe Anonyme de Telecommunications (S.A.T.)

InventorsDenis Levaillant, Guy Timossi, Bertrand Remy, Jacques Lonnoy, Jacques-Henri Rothenburg

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The system comprises a focusing optics in the focal plane of which a linear array of photodetectors is disposed. A double prism located opposite to said photodetectors with respect to said focusing optics, is servo controlled in rotation relative to a support about its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of said optics, said support being itself servo controlled in rotation about said optical axis in order to scan a space of about 2 .pi. steradians. A derotating prism aligned with said optical axis rotates about said optical axis at a speed half of that of said double prism, in order to hold the image of the target in a single direction in said focal plane, whatever the rotations of said support.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An optoelectronic device for a target acquisition system, said device comprising:

an optical focusing means;
photodetector means disposed in the focal plane of said focusing means on an output side of said focusing means;
a double prism located on an input side of said focusing means opposite to said photodetector means;
first means for rotatably driving said double prism about an axis longitudinal to said double prism and perpendicular to an optical axis of said focusing means wherein said first means rotatably drives said double prism relative to a support;
second means for rotatably driving said support carrying said double prism about said optical axis;
means located between said double prism and said focusing means to hold an image of the target in a single direction in said focal plane, regardless of the rotations of said support carrying said double prism.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/638,111Filed 19 Dec 1990
Priority: FR 89 1742729 Dec 1989
Granted: 30 Apr 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G02B 26/0883
By means of one or more refracting elements: the refracting element being a prism
G01S 3/789
Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction: using rotating or oscillating beam systems, e.g. using mirrors, prisms
G02B 26/108
Scanning systems: having one or more prisms as scanning elements
G02B 27/642
Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image: optical derotators, i.e. systems for…