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Auto-alignment system for high precision masted head mirror

  • US 9,404,792 B2
  • Filed: 07/01/2013
  • Issued: 08/02/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An optical sensor system comprising:

  • a mast configured to be elevated from a vehicle;

    a mast mirror configured to reflect signals to or from object space along a line of sight, the mast mirror positioned on top of the mast;

    a navigation unit configured to determine a location and attitude of the mast mirror;

    one or more faceted mirrors configured to reflect an error sensing beam, the reflected error sensing beam revealing a flexure of the mast mirror, each of the one or more faceted mirrors having a plurality of facets; and

    at least two beam-steering mirrors configured to prevent the line of sight for the signals reflected off the mast mirror from walking off the mast mirror by adjusting an angle and translation of the signals reflected off the mast mirror, the adjustment of the at least two beam-steering mirrors based on the reflected error sensing beam;

    wherein the optical sensor system is configured such that angular movement of the mast mirror due to the flexure of the mast mirror causes the error sensing beam to translate from one of the facets to another of the facets.

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