Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the impact of an ultra-high velocity projectile includes: a projectile; at least one optical fiber attached to at least a first area of the projectile; a light source coupled to the optical fiber supplying light into the optical fiber; and a monitor coupled to optical fiber configured to monitor the light in one optical fiber and positioned in a second area of the projectile. A method for operating a circuit in response to a shockwave of ultra-high velocity, includes the steps of deploying at least one optical fiber in a first area in the path of an ultra-high velocity shockwave; coupling a light source to the optical fiber, the light source supplying a light into the optical fiber; and deploying a monitor coupled to the optical fiber to: monitor the light in the optical fiber to detect a change in the light; and positioned in a second area further along the path of the shockwave.

Abstract: A range finder system for determining a range of an object. The system includes a source of laser radiation configured for transmitting a plurality of pulses, a first detector, a second detector, an optical arrangement configured for directing the pulses along an outgoing path and receiving the pulses reflected by the object along a return path. The first detector is deployed to be responsive to the pulses traveling along the outgoing path and the second detector insensitive to the reflections of the pulses from less that the minimum range. The system further includes a controller configured for shorting a connection within the second detector to make the second detector insensitive to the reflections of the pulses from less than a minimum range, and for determining the range of the object based upon a time-of-flight of one or more of the pulses based upon output signals of the first detector and the second detector.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a temperature compensation device for optical instruments which comprises a lens assembly, motor means for rotating the lens assembly about the optical axis thereof, kinematic means for producing rectilinear motion of the lens assembly in response to the rotary motion of the lens assembly, and means for determining the linear displacement and therefore the actual linear position of the lens assembly. Additionally, the device comprises thermometric means, e.g. a temperature detector, which measures the temperature of the environment and transmits the temperature to a processor which controls the actual linear position of the lens assembly through an electronic circuit. The relationship between the temperature detector reading and the corresponding desired linear position is defined by memorized means, preferably by a LUT (look-up table) or, e.g., through optimization on a sensor (ccd, IR, etc.) output (picture).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projectile seeker which comprises: (a) A hollow in the projectile for accommodating a light sensor; (b) A light sensor located within said hollow for sensing light which is emitted or reflected from a target, and for producing an electronic signal upon sensing such emitted light; and (c) A longitudinal shaped opening at the slanted front-side surface of the projectile for enabling a shaped field of view to said light sensor which is limited by the boundaries of said opening, the opening width varies in a direction from the front to the back of the projectile in order to cause said electronic signal to depend on the spinning of the projectile and to be proportional to the orientation of the projectile with respect to the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projectile seeker which comprises: (a) A hollow in the projectile for accommodating a light sensor; (b) A light sensor located within said hollow for sensing light which is emitted or reflected from a target, and for producing an electronic signal upon sensing such emitted light; and (c) A longitudinal shaped opening at the slanted front-side surface of the projectile for enabling a shaped field of view to said light sensor which is limited by the boundaries of said opening, the opening width varies in a direction from the front to the back of the projectile in order to cause said electronic signal to depend on the spinning of the projectile and to be proportional to the orientation of the projectile with respect to the object;

Abstract: A device for aiming a directional device, such as a beam transmitter, mounted on a platform having a platform roll axis, the device having a device roll axis and a device nod axis, wherein the device roll axis is substantially different from the platform roll axis. Also a method for aiming a directional device, such as a beam transmitter, mounted on a platform having a platform roll axis by providing a device of the present invention, aiming the directional device by changing the aim of the directional device about the device roll axis and about the device nod axis; and, if as a result the device roll axis approaches coincidence with the aimed direction, rotating the platform about the platform roll axis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a temperature compensation device for optical instruments which comprises a lens assembly, motor means for rotating the lens assembly about the optical axis thereof, kinematic means for producing rectilinear motion of the lens assembly in response to the rotary motion of the lens assembly, and means for determining the linear displacement and therefore the actual linear position of the lens assembly. Additionally, the device comprises thermometric means, e.g. a temperature detector, which measures the temperature of the environment and transmits the temperature to a processor which controls the actual linear position of the lens assembly through an electronic circuit. The relationship between the temperature detector reading and the corresponding desired linear position is defined by memorized means, preferably by a LUT (look-up table) or, e.g., through optimization on a sensor (ccd, IR, etc.) output (picture).