Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-17
2001-05-08
Allen, Stephone B. (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
C359S694000, C359S822000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229136
ABSTRACT:
1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1.1 Field of the Invention
The present invention was conceived in the course of attempting to develop a lowcost, lightweight, reliable, rotary lens positioning mechanism for a laser targeting sensor. In hindsight, with the benefit of this disclosure, it will be apparent that the invention also relates to other lens positioning applications, e.g., in cameras, telescopes, and other devices.
1.2 Description of Related Art
Laser targeting sensors provide the capability of directing a laser beam through a lens to a target, e.g., a SCUD missile launcher or a T72 Russian tank on a battlefield. As a laser transmitter in the targeting sensor scans the laser beam across the target, a receiver (either integral to or separate from the sensor) receives optical signals reflecting from the target. These reflecting signals are then analyzed to provide a geometrical information of the target. In some laser sensors, different lenses are preferred for different applications. Multiple lenses can be mounted in a sensor with a suitable lens positioning mechanism. Lens position mechanisms are used to move selected lenses into position.
2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a rotary lens positioning mechanism with lens position feedback. In one embodiment the mechanism includes a worm-gear drive motor assembly, a Geneva gear drive assembly, a lens carrier disk, and a lens position feedback means. The worm-gear drive motor assembly includes a drive motor, which for some applications can be an N-scale model-train locomotive electric drive motor, and a worm pinion gear.
The lens position feedback means, in one embodiment, includes two sensors each comprising an emitter-detector light-emitting diode (LED) pair, two reflective surfaces, and a computer. As the lens carrier disk rotates, the LED emitter of the sensor emits light to the reflective surface. If the light hits a reflective surface, it is reflected back to the LED detector of the sensor, turning that particular sensor on. The on and off signals of the respective sensors are translated into binary “words” to indicate which lens is currently intersecting the light. The computer reads the binary words and compares them to a table of known lens positions to determine whether the lens carrier disk is in a desired lens position. If the lens carrier disk is in a desired position, the computer stops the lens carrier disk from rotating. If not, then the computer rotates the lens carrier disk to another lens position.
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Allen Stephone B.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Williams Morgan & Amerson P.C.
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