Dual lens system for electronic camera

• US 5,051,830 A
• Filed: 08/06/1990
• Issued: 09/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lfk-Lenkflugkã¶Rpersysteme GmbH (MBDA)
• Original Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
• Inventors: von Hoessle, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ho, Tuan V.
• Application Number:
  US07/562,929
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 358/209, 358/229, 358/227, 358/109, 350/437, 350/442, 350/445, 250/330, 250/332
• US Class Current: 348/335
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/32 for wire-guided missiles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/08 Catadioptric systems used in non-imaging applications G02B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/0884 having a pupil corrector
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/0896 with variable magnification or multiple imaging planes, including multispectral systems systems with only refractive elements G02B15/14
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/10 Bifocal lenses; Multifocal lenses

Abstract

A device is provided for the real-time picture transmission in the case of a guided missile which is connected with a ground guiding station by way of a beam waveguide. The picture transmission takes place using a camera arranged on a platform which has objective lenses of different focal lengths. The camera is constructed as a double focal length camera with a single lens system member having a short focal length section integrated in the center of the surrounding lens section for the long focal length. A common support is provided for the picture raise of both focal lengths. The single electronic camera system is provided for both picture arrays and includes an electronic change over system for the respective required focal length of arrays to be viewed.

Claims

1. A device for the real-time picture transmission in the guided missile (FK) which is connected with a ground guiding station by way of a beam waveguide, wherein the picture transmission takes place by means of a camera arranged on a platform and having objectives of different focal lengths, wherein the camera is constructed as a double focal length camera in which partial lens systems for a short focal length and a long focal length form a single structural double lens system member, the lens part for the short focal length being integrated in the center of the lens part for the long focal length, wherein picture arrays assigned to each focal length are arranged on a common support, the overall length of the long focal length being shortened, by means of a reflecting mirror, and wherein only one electronic camera system for both picture arrays is arranged with an electronic change-over to the respective required focal length.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is a TV camera.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is an IR camera.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein an interior housing for the short focal length partial lens system of the double lens system is connected by way of webs with the housing of the long focal length partial lens system.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein a bottom part of a conically extending interior housing carries the picture array on the interior side of the housing for the short focal length partial lens system and, at its exterior side, carries the picture array for the long focal length partial lens system.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein a bottom part of a conically extending interior housing carries the picture array on the interior side of the housing for the short focal length partial lens system and, at its exterior side, carries the picture array for the long focal length partial lens system.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the bottom part of the conically extending exterior housing carries the reflecting mirror at its interior side for the bending and concentrating of the beam of the long focal length partial lens system onto the picture array.

8. A device according to claim 6, wherein the bottom part of the conically extending exterior housing carries the reflecting mirror at its interior side for the bending and concentrating of the beam of the long focal length partial lens system onto the picture array.

9. A device according to claim 7, wherein the exterior housing and the interior housing are connected with the double lens system to form a single structural unit.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating of the exposure in the electronic camera system takes place by means of an electronic shutter.

11. A device according to claim 4, wherein the regulating of the exposure in the electronic camera system takes place by means of an electronic shutter.

12. A device according to claim 5, wherein the regulating of the exposure in the electronic camera system takes place by means of an electronic shutter.

13. A device according to claim 8, wherein the regulating of the exposure in the electronic camera system takes place by means of an electronic shutter.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the camera is a TV camera.

15. A device according to claim 13, wherein the camera is an IR camera.