Faceted ball lens for semi-active laser seeker

Details Faceted ball lens for semi-active laser seeker Faceted ball lens for semi-active laser seeker

2007-03-06

2007-03-06

Gregory, Bernarr E. (Department: 3662)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Missile stabilization or trajectory control

Automatic guidance

C244S003100, C244S003110, C244S003130, C244S003150

Reexamination Certificate

active

11037927

ABSTRACT:
A wide field-of-view optical system that may be used in determining a direction to a source of light, or for determine steering corrections to direct a vehicle toward a target, is disclosed. The optical system, which may be used as a seeker in a missile or other weapon, comprises a spherical ball lens truncated to provide one or more facets on which detectors may be mounted to measure relative intensities as a blur spot image of a source of light, which may be a reflection from a laser designated target, moves across the detectors, which may be individual elements in a quadrant detector. Narrow band filters may be used to suppress undesired wavelengths and enhance performance. The innovative design enables implementation of a wide field-of-view seeker with no moving parts. The spherical ball lens may be used directly as an aerodynamic surface without a need for a separate optical dome.

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Carboni, Georgio, A Glass Sphere Microscope, http://www.funsci.com, Fun Science Gallery Web Site, Fig. 3.
Barry, John R., and Joseph M. Kahn, Link Design for Nondirected Wireless Infrared Communications, Applied Optics, vol. 34, No. 19, Jul. 1995, Fig. 4.

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