Abstract: A lightweight night vision device that can be used by itself or can be selectively attached to either the objective lens assembly or ocular lens assembly of an existing optical device. The night vision device includes an image intensifier tube for amplifying low intensity light to produce a visible image. The image produced by the image intensifier tube is inverted. A prism assembly is positioned proximate to the image intensifier tube to reinvert the image in a space and cost efficient manner. The image intensifier tube, the power supply for the image intensifier tube and the reinverting prism are all contained within a house just large enough to accommodate these components. The housing has an objective port and an ocular port. Both ports are adapted to be joined to other optical components. As a result, a large variety of optical devices can be attached to either the object port or ocular port of the night vision device, thereby providing night vision capabilities to the optical device.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly for mounting a night vision device to a headmount apparatus, made up of an attachment member, a mounting bracket and a hinge. The attachment member attaches the mounting bracket assembly to the headmount. The mounting bracket is generally U-shaped for holding a night vision device. The mounting bracket includes a coupling pad disposed at an end of the mounting bracket for receiving a coupling member attached to the night vision device, and a spring clip attached to the coupling pad for locking the coupling member of the night vision device to the coupling pad. The hinge couples the mounting bracket to the attachment member, and includes a pivot mechanism for allowing articulated movement of the mounting bracket relative to the attachment member.

Abstract: A night vision binocular assembly (10) capable of converting low light and infrared energy into a visible image. The night vision binocular assembly (10) includes at least one objective lens assembly (62), image intensifier tube (64), collimator lens assembly (66) and diopter cell assembly (68) encased in an easy to assembly waterproof housing (16). The objective lens assembly (62), image intensifier tube (64), collimator lens assembly (66) and diopter cell assembly (68) are all supported by a common base structure (80) within the housing (16). As a result, variations caused by thermal expansions and contractions are evenly distributed among the various optical elements, thereby preserving a predetermined optical relationship between those elements. Simple button controls (28, 30, 31) are used to operate and adjust the night vision binocular assembly (10). The button controls (28, 30, 31) are disposed on a common circuit board (38).

Abstract: A portable signal beacon adapted to be worn on the body so as to provide a discernable signal to a remote observer during low light conditions. The signal beacon includes a lightweight housing containing a light source, such as a bank of infrared LEDs. A signal generating device is also contained within the housing, wherein the signal generating device controls the activation of the light source and provides the light source with one of a plurality of different flashing sequences. At least one selection switch is provided that enables the user of the beacon to select which of the plurality of flashing sequences will be transmitted by the light sources.

Abstract: A combined collimator/diopter cell subassembly for use in a monocular optical device. The subassembly has its own housing, wherein the subassembly housing is a two part structure that joins together in a clam shell like fashion. The subassembly housing defines a plurality of reliefs that engage and retain the various lens elements that comprise the collimator and the diopter cell. The subassembly housing also defines slots that retain mirrors, creating a folded optical path whereby light enters the collimator and exists the diopter cell. Since the subassembly housing is shaped to hold the various lenses and mirrors in a predetermined relationship, the amount of labor required to both produce the collimator and diopter and position them within the optical deice is greatly reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of coupling a night vision device to a CCD camera, thereby providing the CCD camera with low light capabilities. The apparatus includes a tubular adaptor element having a first end region and an opposite second end region. The first end region of the adaptor element is threaded and threads onto the objective lens assembly of the CCD camera, thereby joining the adaptor element to the CCD camera. The second end region of the adaptor element is not threaded, but rather is sized so that a segment of the ocular lens assembly of the night vision device can pass into the second end region. A bracket assembly extends from the adaptor element. The bracket attaches to the tripod mount on the night vision device, thereby providing support to the night vision device. As such, the bracket assembly retains the night vision device in a set orientation where the ocular lens assembly extends into the adaptor element and is optically aligned with the objective lens assembly of the CCD camera.

Abstract: A gas delivery system provides a first gas which is in a liquid state under extreme pressure and in a gaseous state under intermediate pressure. A particle delivery system provides a slurry comprising the first gas in a liquid state and a second gas in a solid state. The second gas is selected so that it will solidify at a temperature at or above the temperature of the first gas in a liquid state. A nozzle assembly connected to the gas delivery system and to the particle delivery system produces a stream having a high velocity central jet comprising the slurry, a liquid sheath surrounding the central jet comprising the first gas in a liquid state and an outer jacket surrounding the liquid sheath comprising the first gas in a gas state.

Abstract: A night vision device having an image intensifier tube, collimator lenses and at least one aspheric ocular lens are retained within a unistructurally formed optical bed. The optical bed is essentially a tubular structure having a large receptacle at one end to receive the image intensifier tube. The tubular structure is configured so that the various collimator lenses can be stacked within the tubular structure in a highly precise yet labor and cost efficient manner. A housing is provided that conforms to the shape of the electro-optical subassembly. The housing has a substantially similar ocular end structure and objective end structure. An objective lens assembly and ocular lens assembly are retained by the housing. Both the objective lens assembly and the ocular lens assembly contain at least one lens held with a commonly shaped lens casing.

Abstract: A night vision device that uses low cost optics in a balanced arrangement that corrects for distortions created by the low cost optics. The night vision device is a monocular assembly that uses a Gen II or a Gen III image intensifier tube. An objective lens assembly, containing a plurality of low cost lenses, is positioned in front of the image intensifier tube so that the objective lens assembly directs low intensity light onto the input surface of the image intensifier tube. A collimator assembly is positioned proximate the output surface of the image intensifier tube, wherein the collimator assembly collimates the visible image produced by the image intensifier tube. The collimator assembly is comprised of lenses that are identical in shape, size and material to the lenses found within the objective lens assembly. However, the lenses in the collimator assembly are arranged in reverse, as a mirror image of the lenses in the objective lens assembly.

Abstract: An illuminator device for a night vision apparatus, the illuminator device providing supplemental illumination of remotely located objects to be viewed through the night vision apparatus under a low light condition. The illuminator device comprises a housing, light source coupled to one end of the housing for generating a light to illuminate the remotely located objects. The illuminator device further comprises focusing lens for condensing the light generated by the light source into a concentrated light beam having a pattern of consistent brightness which enables substantially long range illumination. The focusing lens is located a given distance away from the light source in a location which is remote from the end of the housing.

Abstract: An present invention is an illuminator device designed to be coupled to the tripod mount of a night vision device which allows a user to adjust the direction of a beam of light projected by an illuminator relative to the line of sight of the night vision device. The illuminator device includes an light source and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is biased against the night vision device thereby maintaining the direction of a projected beam from the light source substantially parallel to the line of sight of the night vision device. The mounting assembly includes a rigid member whose longitudinal axis is maintained substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface the night vision device and a free-floating member attached to the illuminator whose position can be changed relative to the line of sight of the night vision device.