Proximity detector for night vision goggles shut-off

• US 7,315,254 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbit Systems of America LLC (Elbit Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, William A., Oesterreich, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US11/235,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20070279238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 340/555, 340/561, 340/562, 340/686.1, 340/686.6, 250/330, 250/331, 250/332, 250/334, 250/333, 2/5, 2/61, 2/63
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9631 using a light source as part of the switch

Abstract

A night vision device is disclosed. The device includes a housing that houses an intensifier tube and a proximity sensor mounted on the housing. An ON/OFF switch is operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor such that operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “ON” position automatically activates the proximity sensor. A method of operating the night vision device with the proximity sensor is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A night vision device comprising:

a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube;

a proximity sensor mounted on the housing;

an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor, wherein operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “

ON”

position automatically activates the proximity sensor; and

the proximity sensor comprises an infrared emitter electrically coupled to the ON/OFF switch and an infrared detector disposed to receive a signal emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from a body;

wherein the housing is mounted on a fixture and the housing is pivotably movable on the fixture between a first position, wherein the proximity sensor is within an activation distance of the body, and a second position, wherein the proximity sensor is not within activation distance of the body, and

the infrared detector is pivoted to the first position for receiving the signal emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from the body, and the infrared detector is pivoted to the second position for not receiving a reflection from the body.

2. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein the infrared emitter operates at a wavelength of at least 900 nanometers.

3. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein the fixture comprises a helmet.

4. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein the fixture comprises a rifle.

5. A method of operating a night vision device comprising a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube;

a proximity sensor mounted on the housing; and

an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor, wherein the method comprises the steps of;

pivotally mounting the night vision device on a support;

turning the ON/OFF switch to the ON position;

pivoting the proximity sensor to a close proximity of a body to activate the intensifier tube; and

pivoting the proximity sensor from a close proximity of the body to deactivate the intensifier tube.

6. A night vision device comprising:

a support structure;

a night vision device mounted on the support structure and pivotably movable relative to the support structure between a first position and a second position, wherein the night vision device comprises;

a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube;

a proximity sensor mounted on the housing, wherein the proximity sensor is operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and includes an infrared emitter and detector; and

an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor, wherein operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “

ON”

position automatically activates both the intensifier tube and the proximity sensor;

wherein the infrared detector is pivoted to the first position for receiving a signal emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from a body, and the infrared detector is pivoted to the second position for not receiving a reflection from the body.

7. The night vision device according to claim 6, wherein, when the night vision device is in the first position and the ON/OFF switch is in the ON position, the proximity sensor activates the intensifier tube.

8. The night vision device according to claim 7, wherein, when the night vision device is in the second position and the ON/OFF switch is in the ON position, the proximity sensor deactivates the intensifier tube.

9. A night vision assembly comprising:

a support structure; and

a night vision device mounted on the support structure, wherein the night vision device comprises;

a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube;

a proximity sensor mounted on the housing, wherein the proximity sensor is operatively coupled to the intensifier tube; and

an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tubes and to the proximity sensor, wherein operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “

ON”

position automatically activates the proximity sensor;

wherein, when the proximity sensor mounted on the support structure is proximate to an activating body, the proximity sensor activates the intensifier tube, and

when the proximity sensor mounted on the support structure is distal from the activating body, the proximity sensor deactivates the intensifier tube.