Litton Systems, Inc.

Timothy R Goebel

Gary A Wannagot

Clifford James Connors

Roland M Morley

Curtis Brent Keepers

James M Cwiakala, Jr

A method of achieving a focusing adjustment of an optical assembly, and of releasably locking this focusing adjustment, is described. A night vision weapon sight (10) which implements this method includes an objective lens assembly (14), an eyepiece lens (18), and an image intensifier tube (20) receiving light via the objective lens in order to provide an image via the eyepiece lens. The objective lens assembly includes a base portion (32) into which a lens housing (34) is threadably received. The threaded engagement of the base portion and lens housing is locked by a collet-like array of radially flexible fingers (42) each having a conical outer surface. A locking collar (44) having a conically tapering inner surface threadably engages the lens housing (34) and engages the collet fingers (42). Locking of the locking collar (44) is ensured by threaded engagement of a locking ring (54) with the locking collar (44) such that the prevailing torque tightens both of a pair of threaded engagements of opposite hand.

Optical device having improved focus locking assembly and method of

A binocular night vision device (BNVD) includes a pair of night vision monocular scopes which pivotally and adjustably depend from a central housing portion. The central housing portion and the two night vision monocular scopes cooperatively define a singular gas envelope, which allows the entire BNVD to be purged of moist air and back filled with dry nitrogen gas to prevent fogging while requiring only a single purging port. Further, the central housing portion contains a single battery and a single voltage step up circuit powering both image intensifier tube modules of the two monocular night vision scopes. In order to provide for interpupillary distance adjustment, the central housing portion and each of the monocular night vision scopes defines a sealed pivot mechanism which also allows for electrical connection between the central housing portion and each of the night vision scopes.

Binocular night vision device and method of making and using the device

An ANVIS 6 type of binocular night vision device includes a pair of night vision monocular scopes which adjustably depend from a support frame in front of a user's eyes. The support frame includes an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism which allows placement of the monocular scopes to better achieve binocular vision with depth perception. The image quality of binocular vision afforded by the device is improved and made more durable by providing the monocular scope mounts with a dirt-shedding dry threaded engagement with their respective interpupillary adjustment shafts, as well as providing a laterally extended threaded engagement of these mounts with the adjustment shafts. As a result, wobble of the monocular scope mounts relative to the frame is significantly reduced, and wear of the component parts which over time contributes to increased wobble is also reduced.

Night vision device with improved image stability

A binocular night vision device includes a pair of night vision monocular scopes which adjustably depend from a support frame in front of a user's eyes. The support frame includes an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism which allows non symmetrical placement of the monocular scopes to better achieve binocular vision with depth perception. Also, the adjustment mechanism allows adaptive duplicative use of identically the same component parts of the device on both the left and right sides of the support frame so that the number of different parts required for the device is reduced.

Growing community of inventors

Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Timothy R Goebel