US3699341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Muzzle flash detector
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1968-09-23
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1988-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An optical sight with muzzle flash detector for providing a visual indication on the sight image of a muzzle flash of a firearm by passive detection of the IR radiation coming from the flash. A filter separates infrared radiation from the visual light coming through the sight and aims it at a fixed matrix of PbS detectors. The resulting signal activates a corresponding lamp or lamps in a lamp matrix similar to that of the detectors to form a visible light image passing through the sight so as to give an indication of the location of a firearm''s muzzle flash.
Inventors
- 👤 John H Quillinan
- 👤 Edward F Mackey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/02; H04N3/08; H04N3/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A muzzle flash detector optical sight comprising: a. an optical lens system; b. dichroic filter means for reflecting IR radiation from light passing through a first portion of said lens system, said filter means being substantially transparent to visible light; c. fixed detector means which is sensitive to IR radiation and is positioned to receive IR radiation reflected from said filter means for detecting the location of IR radiation and producing a signal indicative thereof; d. light producing means for producing a visible light signal in response to the signal from said detector means; and e. means for superimposing said visible light signal on the visible light passing through a latter portion of said lens system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A muzzle flash detector optical sight comprising: a. an optical lens system; b. dichroic filter means for reflecting IR radiation from light passing through a first portion of said lens system, said filter means being substantially transparent to visible light; c. fixed detector means which is sensitive to IR radiation and is positioned to receive IR radiation reflected from said filter means for detecting the location of IR radiation and producing a signal indicative thereof; d. light producing means for producing a visible light signal in response to the signal from said detector means; and e. means for superimposing said visible light signal on the visible light passing through a latter portion of said lens system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sight as in claim 1 wherein said detector means is comprised of an array of IR sensitive elements and means for amplifying a signal coming from each of said IR sensitive elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sight as in claim 2 wherein said IR sensitive elements are PbS elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sight as in claim 2 wherein said means for amplifying a signal is comprised of a separate amplifier for each of said IR sensitive elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A sight as in claim 1 wherein said means for superimposing includes a beam splitter positioned a substantial angle to the light path through said lens system to reflect the visible light signal from said light means so that it is superimposed upon the visible light passing through said lens system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sight as in claim 2 wherein said light producing means includes an array of electric lamps corresponding in number and arrangement to the array of said IR sensitive elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sight as in claim 4 wherein said light producing means includes an array of electric lamps corresponding in number and arrangement to the array of said IR sensitive elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sight as in claim 1 wherein control means are provided for controlling the intensity of the visible light signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sight as in claim 1 including means for controlling the threshold sensitivity of said fixed detector means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sight as in claim 1 including means for controlling the persistence of said visible light signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sight as in claim 1 wherein a system of at least one mirror and one lens are provided for transmitting said visible light signal from said light producing means to said means for superimposing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sight as in claim 6 wherein said lens system is comprised of an objective lens, two erecting lenses and an eyepiece lens, said filter means being located between said objective lens and the first of said erecting lenses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A sight as in claim 12 wherein said means for superimposing includes a beam splitter located between the second of said erecting lenses and said eyepiece lens and positioned at a substantial angle to the light path through said lens system to reflect the visible light signal from said light means so that it is superimposed upon the visible light passing through said lens system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2800831A
Cited
US3147384A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |