Abstract: An optical path switch and a method of using thereof, for creating two optical pathways for input light. The switch is composed of two polarizers that polarize the input light and two polarization rotators each having two positions. The polarization rotators position translates to one of two the optical pathways. Additionally, the optical path switch has an image enhancement device for producing an enhanced image of the light, and a beam splitter that directs the light to two channels. The optical path switch works by polarizing the light by one of the two polarizers producing an output, following, the output is then directed through the beam splitter where the output is directed towards the two channels. Next, the output is then filtered through the two polarization rotators and to the other of the two channels where the positions of the two polarization rotators switch the optical pathways.

Abstract: An optical path switch and a method of using thereof, for creating two optical pathways for input light. The switch is composed of two polarizers that polarize the input light and two polarization rotators each having two positions. The polarization rotators position translate to one of two the optical pathways. Additionally, the optical path switch has an image enhancement device for producing an enhanced image of the light, and a beam splitter that directs the light to two channels. The optical path switch works by polarizing the light by one of the two polarizers producing an output, following, the output is then directed through the beam splitter where the output is directed towards the two channels. Next, the output is then filtered through the two polarization rotators and to the other of the two channels where the positions of the two polarization rotators switch the optical pathways.

Abstract: A binocular-like vision system (50) for enabling an observer to view an object. The system includes an input end (72,90) that receives light from the object and an optical transfer system (62,64,86,88) that receives the light received from the input end and transfers the received light to an image intensifier (68) which intensifies the received light, wherein the intensified received light is transferred to and transmitted out of an output end (80,92) of the system, wherein the light transmitted out of the output end forms a field of view of the object that is greater than a 60 degree horizontal field of view.

Abstract: A binocular-like vision system for enabling an observer to view an object. The system includes an input end that receives light from the object and an optical transfer system that receives the light received from the input end and transfers the received light to an image intensifier which intensifies the received light, wherein the intensified received light is transferred to and transmitted out of an output end of the system, wherein the light transmitted out of the output end forms a field of view of the object that is greater than a 60 degree horizontal field of view.

Abstract: A night vision visor system that is compact, light in weight, and ejection-safe, and which provides the user with an unobstructed peripheral field of view and other structural and operational advantages. The night vision visor system includes a visor adapted to be mounted to a helmet to be worn by a user and to be positioned substantially in front of the user's face, and a night vision imaging apparatus mounted to the visor for receiving incoming visible and/or infrared light from an object, for converting the incoming light to an intensified visible light, and for presenting the intensified visible light to an eye of the user. The night vision imaging apparatus includes first and second night vision imaging devices mounted in openings in the visor and movable with the visor between a down position in front of the user's face when is use and a raised position away from the user's face when not in use.

Abstract: A helmet-mounted night vision system that is compact, light in weight and ejection-safe. The system incorporates a night vision goggles apparatus for receiving incoming infrared and/or visible light from a viewed object and for converting the incoming light to an intensified visible light for presentation to an eye of a user, a visor mounted to a helmet to be worn by the user and adapted to be positioned in front of the night vision goggles apparatus, and connecting structure for connecting the visor to the night vision goggles apparatus for retaining the visor in position in front of the night vision goggles apparatus. By ensuring that the visor is safely retained in front of and substantially fully covers the goggles apparatus at all times, the system of the invention is rendered ejection-safe. The system also provides the user with numerous other structural and operational advantages.

Abstract: Night vision apparatus, particularly night vision goggles, having a wide field of view. The apparatus includes an objective optical system having a selected field of view for collecting visible and/or infrared light from an object to be viewed and for providing an input image of the object; image intensifying and magnifying means for receiving the input image and for providing a visible, intensified and magnified output image of the input image, and an eyepiece optical system for receiving the visible, intensified and magnified output image and for presenting a visible intensified image of the object to an eye of a user at unity magnification. The image intensifying and magnifying means preferably comprises an image intensifier tube having a fiber optic bundle beam expander therein. The image intensifying and magnifying means permits the eyepiece optical system to have a longer focal length and, hence, to provide greater eye relief than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: Compact night vision goggles apparatus (400, 500, 600) which provide the user with both a direct or unintensified image and an intensified image via first and second intersecting optical paths. The apparatus includes secondary image input means (490, 690) for incorporating symbology or other secondary images into the intensified optical path to be presented to the user along with the intensified and unintensified images. In addition, the apparatus includes peripheral imaging means (540) for providing the user with a large peripheral field of view notwithstanding obstructions on the apparatus which would normally interfere with the user's peripheral vision.

Abstract: The goggles include a pair of optical assemblies, each having two intersecting optical paths, including a see-through path with a large field of view on a straight line of sight to the viewed object, and a folded path which includes an objective lens set, an intensifier which converts visible and infrared light to a visible intensified light, and an eyepiece lens set, arranged in a loop in a plane perpendicular to the see-through path. Infrared and visible light from the viewed object enters both paths. A dichroic prism combiner at the intersection of the paths reflects intensified light from the folded path into the see-through path and transmits all other light. In one embodiment a dichroic prism separator is disposed at the intersection of the paths forward of the combiner for transmitting a portion of the incoming visible light along the see-through path and reflecting the remainder of the incoming light to the folded path.

Abstract: The optical system in the binoculars includes a pair of sets of optical elements respectively on a pair of carriages mounted in an hermetically sealed housing. These carriages are moved by an external control toward and away from each other in order to vary the interpupillary distance between the two sets of optical elements. A transparent window or windows are located in front of the sets of optical elements and are hermetically mounted on the housing. The windows are large enough to be aligned with the sets of optical elements throughout the range of movement thereof.

Abstract: A closed loop automatic focusing system suitable for use in a camera is disclosed which has a beam producing means producing a narrow beam of light radiation directed toward an object to be focused. Having been reflected by the object, the beam is received by an afocal objective lens group which refracts the beam in collimated form when the object is in focus and refracts the beam in divergent or convergent form when the object is not in focus. The beam is then directed to a double photocell upon which the beam impinges equally when in collimated form and unequally when in divergent or convergent form. If the double photocell senses any divergence or convergence, a servo system is directed to correct the focusing error. Alternatively, the objective lens group refracts the beam in constant divergent or convergent form when the object is in focus and non-constant divergent or convergent form when the object is not in focus.

Abstract: The positioning device includes a carrier for an element of an optical system, which is to be positioned very carefully with respect to a certain axis. The device includes first means to move the element in a direction parallel to the axis, second means for tilting the element with respect to the axis, and third means to move the element in planes perpendicular to the axis. The device also includes a locking mechanism to lock the carrier in the selected position determined by the conditions of the first, second and third means.

Abstract: An improved dual beam rangefinder is used with an optical instrument having an objective lens with an afocal lens cell and a prime lens cell. A pair of spaced reflecting means are positioned intermediate the lens cells to intercept selected portions of the lightrays passing therethrough and transmit these rays to a viewfinder focal plane. One reflecting means is used in conjunction with a masking element which occludes off-axis rays from the reflector such that the reflected image therefrom at the focal plane is of finite size and positioned generally coincident to the central portion thereof.