Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Photocell controls its own optical systems
Patent
1996-01-25
1998-10-13
Westin, Edward P.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Photocell controls its own optical systems
2502033, 250234, 35613901, G01C 2102
Patent
active
058215263
ABSTRACT:
A method for determining the line of sight of an electro-optical device mounted in a spacecraft such as a satellite. The electro-optical device includes an electo-optical element that detects impinging light energy and produces electrical pulses corresponding to the light energy detected. The method involves providing the electro-optical device with a scan mirror which is rotated to scan space to detect the light produced by a suitably bright star. Once detected, the scan mirror selectively directs the light produced by the detected star toward the electro-optical element which produces electrical pulses in response to the light. A computer on-board the spacecraft then compares the electrical pulses outpputed by the electro-optical device to a predetermined output expected for the star, to determine the line of sight of the electro-optical device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4801202 (1989-01-01), Wilcox
patent: 4944587 (1990-07-01), Harigae
patent: 5302823 (1994-04-01), Franklin et al.
patent: 5319969 (1994-06-01), Billing-Ross et al.
patent: 5600123 (1997-02-01), Purrazzella
ITT Defense, Inc.
Pyo Kevin
Westin Edward P.
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