The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 25, 2020
Filed:
Aug. 10, 2018
Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);
Kyle Heideman, El Segundo, CA (US);
RAYTHEON COMPANY, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
Auto-alignment beam tracking apparatus and methods. In one example, an auto-alignment beam tracking system includes an optical train that receives an auto-alignment beam, a linear detector array including a plurality of photosensitive detectors each configured to measure intensity of electromagnetic radiation incident thereon, and a lateral shearing interferometer positioned between the optical train and the linear detector array. The optical train is configured to direct the auto-alignment beam to the lateral shearing interferometer. The lateral shearing interferometer is configured to produce an interference pattern at the linear detector array from the auto-alignment beam, wherein changes in the intensity measured by the plurality of photosensitive detectors over time corresponding to a lateral shift of the interference pattern on the linear detector array indicate an angular tilt of the auto-alignment beam.