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:
Dec. 27, 1983
Filed:
Jul. 24, 1981
Thomas E Godfrey, Orange, CA (US);
Lovere A Moesser, Diamond Bar, CA (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus is described for boresighting the sighting systems ed with a 1.06 micrometer designator laser. The method enables boresighting visual direct view optics, TV, and forward looking infrared (FLIR) sights with respect to the laser itself, without the use of external targets. The laser beam is focused onto a refractory target in the boresight device, creating very briefly an incandescent hot spot which can be 'seen' by all three sensors. The radiation from this hot spot is collimated by the boresight device optics and projected back into the sights exactly anti-parallel to the laser beam. By aligning the sight reticles with this hot spot, all three types of sights are aligned relative to the laser. Since the hot flash created by the laser energy is of such short duration, the alignment can be accomplished in flight where relative motion exists between the laser designator system and the boresight module. The apparatus disclosed includes a CO.sub.2 laser alignment fixture and a reflective collimator with a phosphor thermal imaging disk for precision alignment of the laser input and FLIR output lines of sight of the boresight module.