# US 9,039,210 B2 · Variable length light shield for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,210 B2 - Document ID: US9039210B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/734,588 - Filed: 2013-01-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: Raytheon Company - Applicants: Raytheon Company - Inventors: Gregory E. Longerich; William Owens; Richard J. Wright; David C. Robillard; Emerald J. Adair; Perry H. Frahm - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039210B2 ## CPC - F41G 7/2253: {Passive homing systems, i.e. comprising a receiver and do not requiring an active illumination of the target} - F41G 7/2293: {using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves} - G01S 3/781: Details - G02B 5/003: {Light absorbing elements} - G02B 27/0018: {with means for preventing ghost images (anti-reflection coatings G02B1/11)} - G03B 11/04: Hoods or caps for eliminating unwanted light from lenses, viewfinders or focusing aids - G03B 11/045: {Lens hoods or shields} - G03B 15/006: {Apparatus mounted on flying objects} - F41G: WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING (optical aspects thereof G02B) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A variable length light shield is disclosed for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone. The light shield includes a base, a telescopic shade supported by the base, and a ring rotatably supported about the base. The light shield also includes a guide tube disposed proximate the ring with an end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade. The light shield further includes an extension spring supported by the guide tube with an end coupled to the telescopic shade. Additionally, the light shield includes a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, with one end of the cable coupled to the ring and another end of the cable coupled to the telescopic shade. The extension spring is configured to exert a force on the telescopic shade to extend the telescopic shade. Rotation of the ring causes retraction of the telescopic shade. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A variable length light shield for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone, comprising: a base; a telescopic shade having a first portion supported by the base and a second portion slideable relative to the first portion; a ring rotatably supported about the base; a guide tube having a first end disposed proximate the ring and a second end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade; an extension spring having a first end supported by the guide tube and a second end supported by the second portion of the telescopic shade; and a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, the cable having a first end coupled to the ring and a second end coupled to the second portion of the telescopic shade, wherein the extension spring is configured to exert a force on the second portion to extend the second portion away from the first portion, and wherein rotation of the ring causes movement of the second portion relative to the first portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, wherein the telescopic shade further comprises a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the telescopic shade is slideable within the first portion of the telescopic shade. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, wherein the first end of the extension spring is disposed in the guide tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The variable length light shade of claim 4, wherein the guide tube comprises a ferrule disposed at the first end configured to provide a mechanical stop for the extension spring and to facilitate movement of the cable therethrough. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, wherein the extension spring comprises a coil spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, wherein the guide tube is rigid so as to be self-supporting. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a nipple disposed at the first end of the cable and the ring comprises a receptacle to receive the nipple, the nipple and the receptacle facilitating coupling of the cable and the ring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, wherein the ring comprises a channel to receive the cable as the cable is drawn from the guide tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, wherein the base is configured support the guide tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, further comprising a release mechanism operable to maintain the ring in a fixed position and to selectively release the ring for rotational movement to facilitate extension of the telescopic shade by the extension spring. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The variable length light shade of claim 1, further comprising a motor operatively coupled to the ring by a drivetrain to selectively control rotation of the ring to facilitate extension of the telescopic shade by the extension spring and retraction of the telescopic shade by the cable. ### Claim 13 A vehicle, comprising: a nose cone; an electro-optical sensor within the nose cone; and a variable length light shield for the electro-optical sensor, the light shield comprising: a base supported about the electro-optical sensor, a telescopic shade for the electro-optical sensor having a first portion supported by the base and a second portion slideable relative to the first portion, a ring rotatably supported about the base, a guide tube having a first end disposed proximate the ring and a second end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade, an extension spring having a first end supported by the guide tube and a second end supported by the second portion of the telescopic shade, and a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, the cable having a first end coupled to the ring and a second end coupled to the second portion of the telescopic shade, wherein the extension spring is configured to exert a force on the second portion to extend the second portion away from the first portion, and wherein rotation of the ring causes movement of the second portion relative to the first portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, further comprising a motor operatively coupled to the ring by a drivetrain to selectively control rotation of the ring to facilitate extension of the telescopic shade by the extension spring and retraction of the telescopic shade by the cable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, further comprising a second telescopic shade, wherein the first telescopic shade and the second telescopic shade extend in opposing directions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vehicle of claim 15, wherein extension of the first telescopic shade and extension of the second telescopic shade is coordinated to maintain a relative location of a center of mass within the variable length light shield. ### Claim 17 A method for facilitating the shielding of light otherwise incident on an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone, the method comprising: obtaining a base; disposing a ring about the base, the ring being rotatably supported about the base; disposing a telescopic shade about the base, the telescopic shade having a first portion supported by the base and a second portion slideable relative to the first portion; biasing the second portion to extend the second portion away from the first portion; and guiding a cable between the ring and the second portion of the telescopic shade, wherein rotation of the ring causes movement of the second portion relative to the first portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising causing the ring to rotate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein guiding a cable comprises: disposing a first end of a guide tube proximate the ring and orienting a second end of the guide tube extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade; and extending the cable through the guide tube and the extension spring, the cable having a first end coupled to the ring and a second end coupled to the second portion of the telescopic shade. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein biasing the second portion comprises supporting a first end of an extension spring by the guide tube and supporting a second end of the extension spring by the second telescopic shade portion.