# US 9,752,852 B2 · Gun sight > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,852 B2 - Document ID: US9752852B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/084,813 - Filed: 2016-03-30 - Published: 2016-08-25 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-07-15 - Assignees: Ziel Optics, Inc. - Applicants: OptiFlow, Inc. - Inventors: Fred Collin; Kurt Douglas Mills; David S. Dilworth; Rod Collin; Stephen Michael Shubeck; Christopher Stephen Hyde - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752852B2 ## CPC - F41G 1/345: {for illuminating the sights} - F41G 1/30: Reflecting-sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance (reflecting-sights in general G02B) - G02B 5/32: Holograms used as optical elements - G02B 23/10: reflecting into the field of view additional indications, e.g. from collimator - G02B 23/2446: {of the image relay (G02B23/26 takes precedence)} - G02B 23/2461: {Illumination} - G02B 23/2476: {Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports} - G02B 27/0189: {Sight systems} - G03H 1/0005: {Adaptation of holography to specific applications (holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042)} - G03H 1/22: Processes or apparatus for obtaining an optical image from holograms (G03H1/26 - G03H1/34 take precedence) - G03H 1/2249: {Holobject properties} - H01S 5/06804: {by monitoring an external parameter, e.g. temperature} - H01S 5/183: having only vertical cavities, e.g. vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers [VCSEL] - G03H 2001/0212: {Light sources or light beam properties (G03H1/06, G03H1/24 take precedence; corresponding details, see subgroups of G03H2222/00)} - G03H 2001/0434: {In situ recording when the hologram is recorded within the device used for reconstruction} - G03H 2001/2247: {for testing the hologram or holobject} - G03H 2001/2252: {Location of the holobject} - G03H 2001/2255: {Holobject out of Fourier or hologram planes} - G03H 2001/2284: {Superimposing the holobject with other visual information} - G03H 2001/2289: {when reconstruction wavelength differs form recording wavelength} - G03H 2001/261: {in optical contact} - G03H 2227/03: Means for moving one component (G03H1/0476, G03H2001/2695 take precedence) - G03H 2227/06: Support including light source - F41G: WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING (optical aspects thereof G02B) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03H: HOLOGRAPHIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS (holograms, e.g. point holograms, used as ordinary optical elements G02B5/32; producing stereoscopic or other three-dimensional effects G02B30/00; diffraction-grating systems G02B27/44; systems using moiré fringes G02B27/60; optical logic elements G02F3/00; stereo-photography G03B35/00; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; {stereo-photographic or similar processes G03C9/00}; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D; analogue computers performing mathematical operations with the aid of optical elements G06E3/00; authentication by radiation, of concealed information carried by holograms or diffraction gratings G06K19/16; holographic storage G11B7/0065, G11C13/04; {stereoscopic or other three dimensional effects in television systems H04N13/00}) - H01S: DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL ## Abstract A sight assembly for mounting to a weapon. A holographic optical element and a light source are in a fixed angular configuration with respect to one another, but may be adjusted either together or individually in a horizontal or vertical direction. The sight assembly may have a mirror or lens. An adjustment mechanism is provided where a shaft includes at least two portions wherein the two portions of the shaft of the screw have different pitch directions and/or pitch dimensions allowing for slight adjustment the assembly. The light source may be a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). A temperature sensor may sense a temperature of the VCSEL. A current to the VCSEL may be adjusted based on a change in the temperature such that the output wavelength is approximately the same as a desired wavelength. The assembly may further allow for perceived image distance adjustment using parallax mismatch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A compact weapon sight, comprising: a housing having a base configured to mount to a weapon; a holographic optical element (H.O.E.), the H.O.E. supported by the housing; a light source, the light source having a laser diode operable to emit a beam of light at an output wavelength when energized, the laser diode illuminating the H.O.E. when the laser diode is energized; a power source operable to energize the laser diode; a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the laser diode; and an open loop wavelength controller communicating with the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor sensing and communicating the temperature of the laser diode to the wavelength controller, the wavelength controller operable to control a current from the power source to the laser diode, the wavelength controller adjusting the current based on a change in the temperature such that the output wavelength is approximately the same as a desired wavelength. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a voltage sensor operable to measure a voltage of the laser diode during an off-period of a duty cycle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller controls the current in pulses such that the laser diode is energized for an on-period and is not energized for an off-period of a duty cycle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the laser diode is a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) diode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the H.O.E. is a first H.O.E., the sight further comprising a mirror, grating or second H.O.E., the laser diode illuminating the mirror, grating or second H.O.E. and being reflected or diffracted to illuminate the first H.O.E. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 5, wherein a position of the mirror, grating or second H.O.E. is adjustable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein a beam of light that illuminates the H.O.E. is a non-collimated diverging beam of light. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing includes a chamber having a transparent portion, the laser diode being sealed within the chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 8, further comprising: a carrier disposed in the chamber; and a tie rod at least partially disposed in the chamber, the carrier connected to the tie rod so as to be pivotable about an axis of the tie rod; the laser diode being disposed on the carrier. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 9, further comprising: a frame supporting the H.O.E., the frame being disposed outside the chamber and connected to a portion of the tie rod extending outside the chamber; the frame and the carrier both being rotationally fixed to the tie rod such that the laser diode and H.O.E. rotate together about the axis of the tie rod. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 8, wherein the chamber is filled with nitrogen. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a carrier, the laser diode being disposed on the carrier; a frame supporting the H.O.E.; and a tie rod supported by the housing for rotation about an axis of the tie rod, the carrier and the frame both being connected to and rotationally fixed to the tie rod so as to be pivotable about the axis of the tie rod such that the laser diode and H.O.E. rotate together relative to the housing about the axis of the tie rod. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 12, further comprising: an elevation adjustment mechanism for adjusting the rotational position of the carrier and frame relative to the housing, the elevation adjustment mechanism comprising; a shaft supported by the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing; a first portion of the shaft having a first thread pitch, the first portion of the shaft threaded to a first member, the first member fixedly connected to the housing; and a second portion of the shaft having a second thread pitch, the second portion threaded to a movable second member, the second member being rotationally fixed with respect to the housing and longitudinally movable with respect to the shaft, the second member connected to the carrier; wherein the first thread pitch is different from the second thread pitch so as to provide for fine adjustment of the carrier as the shaft rotates. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 12, further comprising: a windage adjustment mechanism operable to move the H.O.E. side to side with respect to the housing, the windage adjustment mechanism comprising; a shaft supported by the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing; a first portion of the shaft having a first thread pitch, the first portion of the shaft threaded to a first member, the first member fixedly connected to the housing; and a second portion of the shaft having a second thread pitch, the second portion threaded to a movable second member, the movable second member being rotationally fixed with respect to the housing and longitudinally movable with respect to the shaft, the second member connected to the H.O.E frame; wherein the first thread pitch is different from the second thread pitch so as to provide for fine adjustment of the H.O.E. frame as the shaft rotates. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the beam of light from the laser diode is a readout light beam having a readout light beam phasefront; the H.O.E. is a display hologram that reconstructs a reticle when illuminated by the readout light beam, the reconstructed reticle having a perceived distance; and the sight further comprising an adjustable feature operable for adjusting the readout beam phasefront before illumination of the display hologram, wherein adjustment of the adjustable feature varies the perceived distance of the reticle image. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 15, wherein the adjustable feature comprises a movable lens positioned to modify the phasefront of the readout light beam prior to illuminating the display hologram. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 15, further comprising a holographic optical element (H.O.E.) disposed in a position to be illuminated by the laser diode, the H.O.E. reconstructing an angled readout light beam when illuminated by the laser diode, the angled readout light beam illuminating the display hologram. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the laser diode or the H.O.E. is horizontally and/or vertically adjustable by means of a multi-thread pitch adjustment assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base of the housing is integral with a weapon. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer connected to the housing adapted to improve battery life of the sight assembly. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The weapon sight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the weapon sight does not have a thermoelectric cooler (TEC). ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A method of stabilizing an output wavelength of a compact weapon sight, comprising: providing the housing, the holographic optical element (H.O.E.), the power source and the light source of claim 1; energizing the laser diode with the power source such that the laser diode emits a beam of light at an output wavelength; illuminating the H.O.E. with the beam of light; sensing a temperature of the laser diode with a temperature sensor; communicating a change in the temperature of the laser diode to an open loop wavelength controller; controlling a current from the power source to the laser diode by using the controller; and adjusting the current based on the change in the temperature by using the controller such that the output wavelength is approximately the same as a desired wavelength.