Multidirectional retroreflectors

• US 7,101,053 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2004
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
• Inventors: Parker, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US10/916,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20050157410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 359/224, 359/529, 359/638, 359/872, 359/578, 356/614, 356/615, 356/620, 356/622, 356/4.09, 356/500, 356/459, 356/510, 356/487, 356/498, 356/141.1, 356/139.08, 356/508, 356/124, 356/455, 356/486, 250/203.2, 250/221, 250/559.33, 430/5, 430/30, 332/93, 367/178
• US Class Current: 359/529
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/08 for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S17/46; active triangulation systems G01S17/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/74 Systems using reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. IFF, i.e. identification of friend or foe
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/466 by Trilateration, i.e. two antennas or two sensors determine separately the distance to a target, whereby with the knowledge of the baseline length, i.e. the distance between the antennas or sensors, the position data of the target is determined
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/481 Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/122 cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type

Abstract

Multidirectional retroreflectors and methods of reflecting light beams from multiple directions are provided. The multidirectional retroreflectors utilize a four-mirror retroreflector with a common virtual reflection point.

Claims

1. A multi-directional retroreflector comprising:

a first mirror;

a first retroreflector, wherein the first mirror is positioned to reflect a light beam onto the first retroreflector and wherein the optical path length to the first retroreflector from the first mirror is equal to the optical path length from the first retroreflector to a virtual position; and

a second retroreflector, wherein the second retroreflector is positioned at the virtual position or is positioned away from the virtual position at a position that has the same optical path length as the optical path length to a second mirror.

2. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 1, wherein the first retroreflector is a three-mirror retroreflector.

3. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 1, wherein the first retroreflector is a cat'"'"'s eye retroreflector.

4. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 1, wherein the first mirror and first retroreflector are mounted together by a mount.

5. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 4, wherein the mount is magnetic.

6. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 1, wherein the first mirror and first retroreflector are mounted on a flat, three ball, Kelvin or V foot mount.

7. A multi-directional retroreflector comprising:

a mirror;

a retroreflector, wherein the mirror is positioned to reflect a light beam onto the retroreflector and wherein the optical path length to the retroreflector from the mirror is equal to the optical path length from the retroreflector to a virtual position; and

a cubic, spherical or cylindrical manifold, wherein the mirror and retroreflector are adjustably mounted to the manifold by an adjustable mount.

8. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 7, wherein the manifold is cubic.

9. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 7, wherein the retroreflector is a three-mirror retroreflector.

10. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 7, wherein the retroreflector is a cat'"'"'s eye retroreflector.

11. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 7, wherein the adjustable mount is a V foot, three-point, or conical foot.

12. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 7, wherein the manifold is spherical.

13. The multi-directional retroreflector of claim 7, wherein the manifold is cylindrical.

14. A method of reflecting one or more light beams from multiple directions comprising:

reflecting a light beam off of a mirror and onto a retroreflector mounted on a manifold at a first position; and

moving the retroreflector to a second position on the manifold and reflecting a light beam off of beam off of the mirror and the retroreflector mounted at the second position by an adjustable mount.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the manifold is cubic, spherical or cylindrical.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the retroreflector is a three-mirror retroreflector.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the retroreflector is a cat'"'"'s eye retroreflector.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjustable mount is a V foot, three-point, or conical foot.

19. A method of reflecting one or more light beams from multiple directions comprising:

reflecting a light beam off of a first mirror and onto a first retroreflector, wherein the optical path length to the first retroreflector from the first mirror is equal to the optical path length from the first retroreflector to a virtual position; and

reflecting a light beam off of a second retroreflector, wherein the second retroreflector is positioned at the virtual position or is positioned away from the virtual position at a position that has the same optical path length as the optical path length to a second mirror.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first retroreflector is a three-mirror retroreflector.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first retroreflector is a cat'"'"'s eye retroreflector.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the first mirror and first retroreflector are mounted together by a mount.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the mount is magnetic.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the first mirror and first retroreflector are mounted on a flat, three ball, Kelvin or V foot mount.