Night vision goggle compatible alarm

• US 4,849,755 A
• Filed: 07/30/1987
• Issued: 07/18/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Benas, Edward P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Application Number:
  US07/080,367
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 340/945, 340/963, 340/964, 340/980, 340/946, 73/178 R, 73/178 H, 73/178 T, 350/538, 250/213 VT, 244/1 R, 244/17.11, 362/29, 362/62, 356/13
• US Class Current: 340/946
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/10 reflecting into the field of view additional indications, e.g. from collimator
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification

Abstract

A visual alarm suitable for use with night vision goggles comprises a red incandescent lamp (105); a blue, green or blue-green electroluminscent panel (130); and control means to sequentially activate the above-mentioned light sources. Brief activation of the red lamp causes momentary partial blooming of the night vision goggles to warn of an emergency condition. Subsequent steady energization of the electroluminescent panel provides a continuous observable alarm which does not interfere with operation of the night vision goggles.

Claims

1. A visual alarm compatible with the use of night vision goggles in a vehicle, said alarm being characterized by:

a first light source which, is activated in response to the detection of an emergency condition by detecting means and causes at least temporary blooming of said night vision goggles;

a second light source which is visible without night vision goggles and does not cause blooming when viewed through night vision goggles for rendering said alarm visible at night with an unaided eye; and

control means for briefly actuating said first light source and subsequently extinguishing said first light source and activating said second light source in response to a detected emergency condition.

2. The visual alarm of claim 1 characterized by said first light source comprising a light having a wave length generally greater than 525 nm.

3. The visual alarm of claim 1 characterized by said second light source comprising an electroluminescent panel which emits light having a wave length generally less than 525 nm.

4. The visual alarm of claim 1 characterized by said second light source being disposed behind said first light source and, when energized, being visible around said first light source when unenergized, by an observer in front thereof.

5. The visual alarm of claim 1 characterized by said first and second light sources being visibly disposed in a control handle for activating an aircraft fire control system.

6. The alarm of claim 1 characterized by said control means comprising a time delay relay activated in response to detection of said emergency condition, said time delay relay having first and second contacts connected to said first and second light sources respectively for connecting a source of electric current to said first light source immediately upon detection of said alarm condition, and said second light source thereafter while simultaneously disconnecting said first light source from said source of electric current.