GB2121638A - Receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation - Google Patents

Receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2121638A
GB2121638A GB07910207A GB7910207A GB2121638A GB 2121638 A GB2121638 A GB 2121638A GB 07910207 A GB07910207 A GB 07910207A GB 7910207 A GB7910207 A GB 7910207A GB 2121638 A GB2121638 A GB 2121638A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
focusing means
detector
field
mirror
annular
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB07910207A
Other versions
GB2121638B (en
Inventor
Gwilyn John Tilsley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BAE Systems PLC
Original Assignee
British Aerospace PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by British Aerospace PLC filed Critical British Aerospace PLC
Priority to GB07910207A priority Critical patent/GB2121638B/en
Publication of GB2121638A publication Critical patent/GB2121638A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2121638B publication Critical patent/GB2121638B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G7/00—Direction control systems for self-propelled missiles
    • F41G7/20—Direction control systems for self-propelled missiles based on continuous observation of target position
    • F41G7/22—Homing guidance systems
    • F41G7/2273—Homing guidance systems characterised by the type of waves
    • F41G7/2293—Homing guidance systems characterised by the type of waves using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G7/00—Direction control systems for self-propelled missiles
    • F41G7/20—Direction control systems for self-propelled missiles based on continuous observation of target position
    • F41G7/22—Homing guidance systems
    • F41G7/2213—Homing guidance systems maintaining the axis of an orientable seeking head pointed at the target, e.g. target seeking gyro
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G7/00—Direction control systems for self-propelled missiles
    • F41G7/20—Direction control systems for self-propelled missiles based on continuous observation of target position
    • F41G7/22—Homing guidance systems
    • F41G7/2246—Active homing systems, i.e. comprising both a transmitter and a receiver
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
    • F41G7/00—Direction control systems for self-propelled missiles
    • F41G7/20—Direction control systems for self-propelled missiles based on continuous observation of target position
    • F41G7/22—Homing guidance systems
    • F41G7/2253—Passive homing systems, i.e. comprising a receiver and do not requiring an active illumination of the target

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)

Abstract

A homing head for a guided missile in which, as shown in Fig. 1, the viewed scene is focused on to an infra-red detector assembly 13 via an annular lens 10 and a rotatable roof top mirror 15, the complete assembly being mounted on gimbals, not shown. The infra- red detector assembly may alternatively function as an infra-red transmitter.

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation.
This invention relates to apparatus for receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation and is particularly concerned with apparatus for use as a homing device in a guided missile.
One object of the invention is to provide apparatus incorporating a detector or transmitter assembly which is scanned over a circular field of view.
According to the invention the apparatus comprises in combination, beam focusing means, a radiation detector or transmitter assembly respectively on the axes thereof facing away from the focusing means, and a rotatable multi-facet reflector arranged to reflect a beam detected by the focusing means on to the detector assembly or to reflect a beam generated by the transmitter assembly on to the focusing means.
In one arrangement according to the invention the beam focusing means comprises a single lens. In another arrangement according to the invention the focusing means comprises two annular reflectors arranged to fold the beam twice between the rotatable reflector and the viewed scene.
Further features of the invention will appear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings which show at Figs. 1 and 2 two alternative embodiments according to the invention.
Referring now to Fig. 1 the apparatus comprises an annular lens 10 mounted behind the transport head cover 11 of the missile generally indicated at 12, an infra-red detector assembly 13, an infra-red filter 14, and a rotatable roof top mirror 15, the focal length of the lens being such that the viewed image is brought to a focus at the plane 1 3a of the detector assembly 1 3. The complete assembly is mounted on gimbals, not shown.
The detector assembly 1 3 consists of an array of infra-red detector patches mounted in one cell with an integral Joule Thompson mini cooler to maintain the cell at optimum temperature.
From the foregoing it will be obvious that the roof top mirror produces a reflection of the field of view from each face 1 5a, 1 sub. Rotation of the mirror causes the field of view to rotate over the detector array so that, in effect, each element of the array covers an annulus of the field.
Because there are two reflections the field of view will rotate twice over the detector array for each revolution of the mirror.
In the alternative arrangement according to Fig. 2, where like parts have like references, the annular lens of Fig. 1 is replaced by an annular mirror 1 6 and an additional annular mirror 1 7 is provided to reflect the image viewed on to the rotatable roof top mirror.
In either arrangement the roof top mirror may be replaced by a prism and in either case there may be more than two refecting faces.
1. Apparatus for receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation including, in combination, beam focusing means, a radiation detector or transmitter assembly respectively on the axes thereof facing away from the focusing means, and a rotatable multi-facet reflector arranged to reflect a beam detected by the focusing means on to the detector assembly or to reflect a beam generated by the transmitter assembly on to the focusing means.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the focusing means comprises a single lens.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the focusing means comprises two annular reflectors arranged to fold the beam twice between the rotatable reflector and the viewed scene.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the rotatable reflector comprises a roof top mirror or prism.
5. A guided missile including apparatus according to any preceding claim.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 1 substantially as described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
CLAIMS (14 May 1981) 1. Apparatus for receiving electro-magnetic radiation including a longitudinal axis, focusing means lying coaxialiy with the axis, multi-facet reflecting means having its facets substantially symmetrically arranged with respect to, and, in use, rotating about said axis, radiation detection means having a detector array facing the reflecting means, the arrangement being such that rays from a field of view are directed by the focusing means on to the reflecting means, are reflected from one facet thereof to another, are subsequently directly reflected to form a rotating image of the field of view in the plane of the detector array.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the focusing means comprises a single lens.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the focusing means comprises two reflectors arranged to fold the rays twice before reaching the reflecting means.
4. Apparatus according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the focusing means are of annular form so that the detection means can protrude at least partly therethrough.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the reflecting means comprises
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus for receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation. This invention relates to apparatus for receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation and is particularly concerned with apparatus for use as a homing device in a guided missile. One object of the invention is to provide apparatus incorporating a detector or transmitter assembly which is scanned over a circular field of view. According to the invention the apparatus comprises in combination, beam focusing means, a radiation detector or transmitter assembly respectively on the axes thereof facing away from the focusing means, and a rotatable multi-facet reflector arranged to reflect a beam detected by the focusing means on to the detector assembly or to reflect a beam generated by the transmitter assembly on to the focusing means. In one arrangement according to the invention the beam focusing means comprises a single lens. In another arrangement according to the invention the focusing means comprises two annular reflectors arranged to fold the beam twice between the rotatable reflector and the viewed scene. Further features of the invention will appear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings which show at Figs. 1 and 2 two alternative embodiments according to the invention. Referring now to Fig. 1 the apparatus comprises an annular lens 10 mounted behind the transport head cover 11 of the missile generally indicated at 12, an infra-red detector assembly 13, an infra-red filter 14, and a rotatable roof top mirror 15, the focal length of the lens being such that the viewed image is brought to a focus at the plane 1 3a of the detector assembly 1 3. The complete assembly is mounted on gimbals, not shown. The detector assembly 1 3 consists of an array of infra-red detector patches mounted in one cell with an integral Joule Thompson mini cooler to maintain the cell at optimum temperature. From the foregoing it will be obvious that the roof top mirror produces a reflection of the field of view from each face 1 5a, 1 sub. Rotation of the mirror causes the field of view to rotate over the detector array so that, in effect, each element of the array covers an annulus of the field. Because there are two reflections the field of view will rotate twice over the detector array for each revolution of the mirror. In the alternative arrangement according to Fig. 2, where like parts have like references, the annular lens of Fig. 1 is replaced by an annular mirror 1 6 and an additional annular mirror 1 7 is provided to reflect the image viewed on to the rotatable roof top mirror. In either arrangement the roof top mirror may be replaced by a prism and in either case there may be more than two refecting faces. CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation including, in combination, beam focusing means, a radiation detector or transmitter assembly respectively on the axes thereof facing away from the focusing means, and a rotatable multi-facet reflector arranged to reflect a beam detected by the focusing means on to the detector assembly or to reflect a beam generated by the transmitter assembly on to the focusing means. 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the focusing means comprises a single lens. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the focusing means comprises two annular reflectors arranged to fold the beam twice between the rotatable reflector and the viewed scene. 4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the rotatable reflector comprises a roof top mirror or prism. 5. A guided missile including apparatus according to any preceding claim. 6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings. 7. Apparatus according to Claim 1 substantially as described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings. CLAIMS (14 May 1981)
1. Apparatus for receiving electro-magnetic radiation including a longitudinal axis, focusing means lying coaxialiy with the axis, multi-facet reflecting means having its facets substantially symmetrically arranged with respect to, and, in use, rotating about said axis, radiation detection means having a detector array facing the reflecting means, the arrangement being such that rays from a field of view are directed by the focusing means on to the reflecting means, are reflected from one facet thereof to another, are subsequently directly reflected to form a rotating image of the field of view in the plane of the detector array.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the focusing means comprises a single lens.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the focusing means comprises two reflectors arranged to fold the rays twice before reaching the reflecting means.
4. Apparatus according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the focusing means are of annular form so that the detection means can protrude at least partly therethrough.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the reflecting means comprises a roof top mirror or prism.
6. A guided weapon including apparatus according to any preceding claim.
7. Apparatus substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
8. Apparatus substantially as described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
GB07910207A 1978-03-23 1979-03-22 Receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation Expired GB2121638B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB07910207A GB2121638B (en) 1978-03-23 1979-03-22 Receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1165078 1978-03-23
GB07910207A GB2121638B (en) 1978-03-23 1979-03-22 Receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2121638A true GB2121638A (en) 1983-12-21
GB2121638B GB2121638B (en) 1984-05-10

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB07910207A Expired GB2121638B (en) 1978-03-23 1979-03-22 Receiving or transmitting electro-magnetic radiation

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2121638B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2258034A (en) * 1984-03-24 1993-01-27 Diehl Gmbh & Co Target detection
GB2433104A (en) * 1982-10-02 2007-06-13 British Aerospace Guided weapon
CN102213566A (en) * 2010-04-02 2011-10-12 倪明旺 Symmetrical modulation ballistic guidance device

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2433104A (en) * 1982-10-02 2007-06-13 British Aerospace Guided weapon
GB2433104B (en) * 1982-10-02 2008-02-06 British Aerospace Guided weapon
GB2258034A (en) * 1984-03-24 1993-01-27 Diehl Gmbh & Co Target detection
GB2258034B (en) * 1984-03-24 1993-09-22 Diehl Gmbh & Co Target detection apparatus
CN102213566A (en) * 2010-04-02 2011-10-12 倪明旺 Symmetrical modulation ballistic guidance device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2121638B (en) 1984-05-10

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee