Raytheon Company

Brent L Sisney

Robert B Chipper

James T Hoggins

David H Rester

James Jay Hudgens

Daniel J Murphy

John David Jackson

Robert P Francis

James Allen McIntosh

Bryan K Hawk

John Jackson

James A Mcintosh

A compact integrated optical system including an eyepiece, a reflective telescope, and a multi-spectral combiner optically coupled between the reflective telescope and the eyepiece, and configured to direct visible light received via the reflective telescope assembly along a direct view optical path to the eyepiece assembly. In one example, the multi-spectral combiner includes a display that displays a visual representation of the imagery of the viewed scene, and laser range-finder transceiver that transmits and receives a laser beam via the reflective telescope. A pair of beamsplitters is used to separate the imaging optical path from the direct view and laser range-finding optical paths. A blocking device is used to enable laser range-finding capability during daytime viewing of the imaging optical path imagery on the display. The reflective telescope provides a common aperture for the direct view optical path, an imaging optical path, and the laser range-finder transceiver.

Optical configuration for a compact integrated day/night viewing and laser range finding system

Using a hand-held range finding device to range an object in a field of view is difficult due to user-induced jitter. In particular, user-induced jitter introduces uncertainty as to which object in a field of view is actually ranged. Current approaches attempt to mitigate user-induced jitter by requiring a user to mount the hand-held range finding device onto a stabilizing device (e.g., a tripod). However, such approaches require the user to carry additional equipment. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable the user to visually confirm which object in a field of view is actually ranged during a range finding event by generating a composite image that includes a visual representation of a laser pulse emitted by the range finding device reflecting off an object in the field of view. Advantageously, disclosed embodiments provide true hand-held range finding capabilities without requiring the use of stabilization assistance techniques.

Laser range finding

An optical apparatus () includes a base member () with a plurality of grooves (), and includes a respective lens () fixedly mounted in each groove. Optical filters () are mounted on the support member in predetermined locations. One such lens is fixedly secured to an input optical fiber (), and the input fiber is used to introduce radiation into the apparatus. Several output optical fibers () are successively positioned in relation to respective lenses by a fiber positioner (), which monitors the amount of radiation passing through the fiber being positioned, and then causes a laser () to fuse the fiber end to the associated lens in a selected position.

Method and apparatus for effecting alignment in an optical apparatus

An apparatus includes a support section which supports a further section, an optically transmissive substrate, and a dispersive section, the further section transporting plural signal components at respective frequencies along a path of travel. A plurality of optical fibers have ends fixedly coupled to a surface on the substrate. The dispersive section has a dispersive characteristic which deviates a direction of travel of each signal component by a respective different amount to optically map each signal component between the end portion of a respective fiber and the path of travel in the further section. During assembly, the fiber ends are moved relative to the surface while radiation passing through them is monitored, and then they are fixedly coupled to the surface in a selected position.

Method and apparatus for separating or combining optical signals using a dispersive element

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Allen, TX, United States of America

Brent L Sisney