초록 ▼

Apparatus and methods for stabilizing a line of sight of an optical system without the use of gimbals. The apparatus includes a fixed plano-concave lens element mounted in a frame and a moveable plano-convex lens element mounted in a carriage. The frame mounts onto a preexisting optical system such

Apparatus and methods for stabilizing a line of sight of an optical system without the use of gimbals. The apparatus includes a fixed plano-concave lens element mounted in a frame and a moveable plano-convex lens element mounted in a carriage. The frame mounts onto a preexisting optical system such that the lens elements are nominally aligned with the line of sight of the preexisting optical system. A motor driving unit is provided in the frame which moves the plano-convex lens element back and forth relative to the fixed plano-concave lens element about two orthogonal movement axes in response to small amplitude disturbances imparted to the optical system. The line of sight stabilization apparatus is suitable for retrofit installation onto preexisting optical systems, and in particular, to missile tracking guidance and sighting systems which were originally manufactured or installed without line of sight stabilization capability.

대표청구항 ▼

An optical system comprising, in combination: a) an optical device, said optical device having a line of sight; b) stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing said line of sight of said optical device, said stabilizing apparatus comprising: a first optical element; a frame carrying said first optical elem

An optical system comprising, in combination: a) an optical device, said optical device having a line of sight; b) stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing said line of sight of said optical device, said stabilizing apparatus comprising: a first optical element; a frame carrying said first optical element; a second optical element, said second and first optical elements complimentary to one another; a carriage carrying said second optical element and capable of movement in a spherical manner relative to said first optical element; two or more bearing assemblies linking and securely retaining said carriage and said frame in close spaced relation to one another such that said first and second optical elements are nominally centered about an optical axis, said bearing assemblies permitting said carriage to be moveable in a spherical manner relative to said frame about said optical axis; means for measuring the relative movement between said carriage and said frame; and a motor system responsive to said measuring means for moving said second optical element relative to said first optical element in response to small amplitude accelerations, causing light passing through said first and second optical elements to refract and thereby stabilize said line of sight; and c) said stabilizing apparatus mounted to said optical device such that said optical device line of sight and said optical axis defined by said second and first optical elements are nominally aligned.