초록 ▼

An improved laser rangefinder and thermal imager with enhanced scanning mirror control is disclosed. Optical axes (11,12) are aligned parallel to each other. The system includes only one common thermal image/laser reception channel (8,9,10,11). The angular movement of scanning mirror 8 is compensate

An improved laser rangefinder and thermal imager with enhanced scanning mirror control is disclosed. Optical axes (11,12) are aligned parallel to each other. The system includes only one common thermal image/laser reception channel (8,9,10,11). The angular movement of scanning mirror 8 is compensated during the range finding operation. Synchronizing means (1,2,3,4) located in the beam path controls the movement of the scanning mirror. An improved method for controlling the movement of the scanning mirror which enhances the measuring range of the device is also disclosed. In order to receive CO2 radiation of narrow bandwidth which is reflected from a target, the cyclical movement of the scanning mirror (8) is precisely controlled in order to position it favorably during the range measuring operation. The frequency of the scanning function is retarded so that the scanning mirror (8) is moved only through a fraction of the width of the image field. As a result, projections of the detector element (32) in the object plane which would otherwise be located in the outer areas of the laser pulse coincide relatively closely at the beginning and end of the range finding operation.

대표청구항 ▼

A laser rangefinder and thermal imager apparatus comprising: a laser transmitter having an optical axis; a thermal imager having an optical axis which is aligned parallel to said optical axis of said laser transmitter; a common thermal imaging/laser reception channel which includes: an IR telescope;

A laser rangefinder and thermal imager apparatus comprising: a laser transmitter having an optical axis; a thermal imager having an optical axis which is aligned parallel to said optical axis of said laser transmitter; a common thermal imaging/laser reception channel which includes: an IR telescope; a deflection element; and a scanning element; said common thermal imaging/laser reception channel further including: a detector objective; a detector; and a corresponding light emitting diode which converts received radiation into visible light; drive means mechanically coupled to said deflection element for controlling and compensating for the angular movement of said scanning element during a range measuring operation; and synchronizing means for coordinating the movement of said scanning element and said deflection element, said synchronizing means further coordinating the operation of said laser transmitter with the movement of said scanning element.