Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Pacific Scientific Company

Dennis Hilliard Rose

James T Hall

Dennis C Richman

Murty V Mantravadi

Val E Davidson

A scanner transmits a generally collimated beam of radiation such that the beam rotates about an axis to form a conical scanning pattern. The scanner comprises a concave parabolic reflector having a geometric axis and a focus, a rotation mechanism for effecting rotation of the concave parabolic reflector about a rotation axis which is angularly offset with respect to the geometric axis of the concave parabolic reflector, an opening formed in the concave parabolic reflector proximate the rotation axis thereof, and a convex parabolic reflector disposed along the rotation axis of the concave parabolic reflector and having a focus which is approximately co-located with the focus of the concave parabolic reflector. Directing collimated radiation through the opening formed in the concave parabolic reflector and onto the convex parabolic reflector while rotating the concave parabolic reflector about the rotation axis thereof effects transmission of a generally collimated beam of radiation such that the beam rotates about the rotation axis so as to form a conical scanning pattern.

Tilted primary clamshell lens laser scanner

A compact, rugged sensor for use in the measurement of particle sizes in a fluid stream is disclosed. The sensor permits the use of a light emitting diode as a light source by mounting a high grade optical system with its focal point at the point light source provided by the light emitting diode to collimate the generated light. This collimated light passes through an aperture formed in one dimension by the width of the fluid flow stream and formed in a second perpendicular dimension by a narrow transparent slit in an otherwise opaque shield adjacent the fluid flow stream. The collimated light source, together with the use of the flow stream as a light path boundary, substantially increases the accuracy of the sensor. All of this is accomplished in conjunction with a solid state light emitting diode source which permits the sensor to be used in shock and vibration environments which would have prohibited particle measurement using prior art sensors.

Growing community of inventors

Claremont, CA, United States of America

Dennis Hilliard Rose