Compact flir optical configuration

• US 5,936,771 A
• Filed: 07/31/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Cooper, Erwin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US08/904,139
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 359/365, 359/366, 359/618, 250/203.1, 250/203.3, 250/203.6, 244/3.16
• US Class Current: 359/618
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/22 for vehicle-borne armament, e.g. on aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/14 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation G02B13/008, G02B13/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1066 for enhancing image performance, like resolution, pixel numbers, dual magnifications or dynamic range, by tiling, slicing or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/644 compensating for large deviations, e.g. maintaining a fixed line of sight while a vehicle on which the system is mounted changes course

Abstract

A FLIR system having a refractive FLIR optical configuration including a substantially spherical housing and an optical window disposed in and extending to the outer housing surface. The window aperture diameter exceeds the housing radius and is a near dome-shaped, relatively high dispersive negative lens forming a part of the FLIR optical system and is disposed adjacent a positive relatively low dispersive lens. A first optical system extends to a first housing window for receiving light and is within a hemispherical housing portion comprises an afocal lens system of a first pair of lenses, one lens disposed at a housing wall, a first mirror disposed within the hemisphere and reflecting light passing through the first pair of lenses, a second mirror for receiving the light reflected from the first mirror and reflecting the light along a path parallel to the light impinging upon the first mirror and a further plurality of lenses for transmission of the light reflected from the second mirror. The light reflected from the first mirror preferably is reflected in a direction normal to the light impinging upon the first mirror. A second window is disposed at the housing surface and a second optical system disposed within the housing is bounded by the hemisphere, receives light through the second window and is capable of selectively substituting the second optical system for a portion of the first optical system. Apparatus is provided to selectively substitute the second optical system for the first pair of lenses, the first mirror and the second mirror.

Claims

1. A FLIR system having a refractive FLIR optical configuration which comprises:

(a) a substantially spherical housing having a center and substantially circular cross-sections; and

(b) an optical window disposed in and extending to an outer surface of said housing, said window defining an optical aperture;

(c) the diameter of said optical aperture defined by the window exceeding the radius of a circular cross-section of said housing passing through said center of said housing.

2. The system of claim 1 further including an optical system disposed within said housing, said optical window being a lens forming a part of said optical system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said lens is a near dome-shaped negative lens of relatively high dispersive material, said system further including a positive Ge lens disposed adjacent said negative lens and made of a relatively low dispersive material.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said housing is substantially in the shape of a truncated sphere.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said housing is substantially in the shape of a truncated sphere.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical window is a near dome-shaped negative lens of relatively high dispersive material, said system further including a position Ge lens disposed adjacent said negative lens and made of a relatively low dispersive material.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said housing is substantially in the shape of a truncated sphere.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said housing is substantially in the shape of a truncated sphere.

9. A FLIR system having a refractive FLIR optical configuration which comprises:

a substantially spherical housing having a center and substantially circular cross-sections; and

a first optical system disposed within said housing and extending to a first window at said housing for receiving light through said first window;

said first optical system being disposed in a volume within said housing bounded by said housing and a plane passing through said center of said housing;

wherein said first optical system includes an afocal lens system which includes;

a first pair of lenses, one lens of said first pair of lenses disposed at a wall of said housing;

a first mirror disposed within said volume within said housing bounded by said housing and said plane passing through said center of said housing and reflecting light passing through said first pair of lenses and impinging thereon;

a second mirror for receiving said light reflected from said first mirror and reflecting said light along a path parallel to said light impinging upon said first mirror; and

a further plurality of lenses for transmission of said light reflected from said second mirror.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said one lens of said first pair of lenses is a near dome-shaped negative lens of relatively high dispersive material and the other lens of said first pair of lenses is a positive Ge lens disposed adjacent said negative lens and made of a relatively low dispersive material.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said light reflected from said first mirror is reflected in a direction normal to the direction of said light impinging upon said first mirror.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said light reflected from said first mirror is reflected in a direction normal to the direction of said light impinging upon said first mirror.

13. The system of claim 9 further including a second window disposed at the surface of said housing and a second optical system disposed in said volume within said housing bounded by said housing and a plane passing through said center of said housing receiving light through said second window, said system further including means to selectively substitute said second optical system for said first pair of lenses, said first mirror and said second mirror.

14. A FLIR system having a refractive FLIR optical configuration which comprises:

a substantially spherical housing having a center and substantially circular cross-sections; and

a first optical system disposed within said housing and extending to a first window at said housing for receiving light through said first window;

said first optical system being disposed in a volume within said housing bounded by said housing and a plane passing through said center of said housing;

wherein said housing is substantially in the shape of a truncated sphere; and

wherein said first optical system includes an afocal lens system which includes;

a first pair of lenses, one lens of said first pair of lenses disposed at a wall of said housing;

a first mirror disposed within said volume within said housing bounded by said housing and said plane passing through said center of said housing and reflecting light passing through said first pair of lenses and impinging thereon;

a second mirror for receiving said light reflected from said first mirror and reflecting said light along a path parallel to said light impinging upon said first mirror; and

a further plurality of lenses for transmission of said light reflected from said second mirror.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said one lens of said first pair of lenses is a near dome-shaped negative lens of relatively high dispersive material and the other lens of said first pair of lenses is a positive Ge lens disposed adjacent said negative lens and made of a relatively low dispersive material.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said light reflected from said first mirror is reflected in a direction normal to the direction of said light impinging upon said first mirror.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said light reflected from said first mirror is reflected in a direction normal to the direction of said light impinging upon said first mirror.

18. A FLIR system having a refractive FLIR optical configuration which comprises:

a substantially spherical housing having a center and substantially circular cross-sections; and

a first optical system disposed within said housing and extending to a first window at said housing for receiving light through said first window;

said first optical system being disposed in a volume within said housing bounded by said housing and a plane passing through said center of said housing; and

said first optical system including a second window disposed at the surface of said housing and a second optical system disposed in said volume within said housing bounded by said housing and a plane passing through said center of said housing receiving light through said second window, said system further including means to selectively substitute said second optical system for a portion of said first optical system.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially spherical housing having a substantially spherical exterior surface with a radius, and having a window portion which is substantially transparent to infrared radiation and which defines an optical aperture through which infrared radiation can enter said housing, said optical aperture having a diameter which is greater than said radius of said surface of said housing; and

an optical system disposed within said housing and responsive to infrared radiation which enters said housing through said optical aperture.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said housing includes a further window portion which is substantially transparent to infrared radiation, and which defines a further optical aperture through which infrared radiation can enter said housing, said optical system being responsive to infrared radiation which enters said housing through said further optical aperture, and each said optical aperture providing a respective field of view for said optical system.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said optical system is a FLIR optical system.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially spherical housing having a substantially spherical exterior surface with a centerpoint, said housing including a window portion which has thereon a portion of said exterior surface and which is substantially transparent to infrared radiation;

a system which is operative to support said housing for pivotal movement about said centerpoint of said exterior surface; and

an optical system disposed within said housing and responsive to infrared radiation which enters said housing through said optical aperture, said optical system moving with said housing when said housing moves about said centerpoint of said exterior surface.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said window portion is a lens having an optical power, said lens being a part of said optical system.

24. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said optical system is a FLIR optical system.

25. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said system supporting said housing includes a gimbal, and wherein said housing is substantially in the shape of a truncated sphere.

26. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially spherical housing having a substantially spherical exterior surface with a centerpoint, and having a window portion which is substantially transparent to infrared radiation and which defines at least one optical aperture through which infrared radiation can enter said housing; and

an optical system disposed within said housing and responsive to infrared radiation which enters said housing through said window portion, said optical system being a FLIR optical system, and said FLIR optical system occupying a volume within said housing which is less than one-half of the volume of said housing.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said volume occupied by said FLIR optical system within said housing is bounded by said housing and a plane passing through said centerpoint of said substantially spherical exterior surface.

28. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said FLIR optical system has at least two different fields of view through said window portion.

29. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said FLIR optical system has three different fields of view through said window portion.

30. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially spherical housing having a substantially spherical exterior surface with a centerpoint, and having a window portion which is substantially transparent to infrared radiation and which defines at least one optical aperture through which infrared radiation can enter said housing; and

an optical system disposed within said housing and responsive to infrared radiation which enters said housing through said window portion, said optical system having at least two different fields of view through said window portion, and said optical system occupying a volume within said housing which is less than one-half of the volume of said housing.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said volume occupied by said optical system within said housing is bounded by said housing and a plane passing through said centerpoint of said substantially spherical exterior surface.

32. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said optical system is a FLIR optical system.

33. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said optical system has three different fields of view through said window portion.

34. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said optical system includes:

a lens which is near a first section of said window portion, wherein infrared radiation which passes through said first section of said window portion and through said lens represents a first field of view;

a first mirror which reflects infrared radiation traveling away from said lens;

a second mirror which is supported for movement between first and second positions, said second mirror reflecting infrared radiation traveling away from said first mirror when said second mirror is in said first position;

a lens system which, when said second mirror is in said first position, is disposed between said second mirror and a second section of said window portion, wherein infrared radiation which passes through said second section of said window portion and through said lens system represents a second field of view; and

further optical components which are responsive to infrared radiation traveling away from said second mirror when said second mirror is in said first position, and which are responsive to infrared radiation traveling away from said lens system when said second mirror is in said second position.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said first section of said window portion is a lens having an optical power.

36. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said optical system is a FLIR optical system.