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:
May. 17, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 25, 2003
James M. Cicchiello, Cary, IL (US);
Michael A. Davis, Elgin, IL (US);
James M. Cicchiello, Cary, IL (US);
Michael A. Davis, Elgin, IL (US);
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A conformed all-reflective beam-steering (CARBS) device is provided which is a hybrid of a mirror and one-axis gimbal assembly mounted on a rotating carriage. The CARBS device functions as a coarse-steering element in an electro-optical tracking system. The one-axis gimbal only has to steer over 0-45° elevation (El), rather than the more typical +/−45° El. To provide a full field of regard (FOR), the present invention relies on a rotating carriage to rotate 360°. The present invention facilitates the full FOR by positioning a mirror and one-axis gimbal assembly close to the exit pupil window. Further, the present invention takes advantage of decentration and off-axis parabolic reflectors to maintain a small footprint. This compact design allows for lower system inertia, which reduces power draw, and further provides a system which may be package to meet upcoming military modular packaging requirements.