David J Knapp

US Patent:

6343767, Feb 5, 2002

Filed:

Mar 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/261724

Inventors:

Scott W. Sparrold - Tucson AZ
James P. Mills - Tucson AZ
Richard A. Paiva - Tucson AZ
Thomas D. Arndt - Amado AZ
David J. Knapp - Tucson AZ
Kenneth S. Ellis - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Lexington MA

International Classification:

F41G 700

US Classification:

244 316, 244 315

Abstract:

A missile seeker. The inventive missile seeker includes a dome within which a novel optical arrangement is retained. The optical arrangement includes a first prism mounted for rotation about an optical axis and a second prism mounted for rotation about the optical axis. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second prisms are Risley prisms. In addition, the illustrative implementation includes a first motor arrangement for rotating the first prism about the optical axis and a second motor arrangement for rotating the second prism about the optical axis. A controller is provided for activating the first and second motors to steer the beam at an angle and nod the beam at an angle. In a specific implementation, the first prism and/or the second prism have at least two surfaces contoured to correct for optical aberration. A teaching is provided to contour the surfaces to correct for astigmatism, coma, trefoil and other non-rotationally symettric abberation. The contour may be effected by laser etching, micro-machining optical thin-film coating or other such technique.

US Patent:

6344937, Feb 5, 2002

Filed:

Mar 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/262157

Inventors:

Scott W. Sparrold - Tucson AZ
James P. Mills - Tucson AZ
Richard A. Paiva - Tucson AZ
Thomas D. Arndt - Amada AZ
Kenneth S. Ellis - Tucson AZ
David J. Knapp - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Lexington MA

International Classification:

G02B 504

US Classification:

359837, 359211

Abstract:

A steerable optical arrangement. The inventive arrangement includes a first prism mounted for rotation about an optical axis and a second prism mounted for rotation about the optical axis. In accordance with the inventive teachings, the first prism and/or the second prism have at least one surface contoured to correct for optical aberration. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second prisms are Risley prisms. In addition, the illustrative implementation includes a first motor arrangement for rotating the first prism about the optical axis and a second motor arrangement for rotating the second prism about the optical axis. A controller is provided for activating the first and second motors to steer the beam at an angle and nod the beam at an angle. At least two surfaces at least one prism is contoured to correct for astigmatism, coma, trefoil and other non-rotationally symmetric aberration. The contour is effected by laser etching, micro-machining or optical thin-film coating of the prisms in the manner disclosed herein.

US Patent:

6531989, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Nov 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/992755

Inventors:

Delmar L. Barker - Tuscon AZ
Harry A. Schmitt - Tucson AZ
David J. Knapp - Tucson AZ
Dennis C. Braunreiter - Oro Valley AZ
Alphonso A. Samuel - Tucson AZ
Steven Schultz - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Lexington MA

International Classification:

H01Q 142

US Classification:

343753, 343703, 343705

Abstract:

A radar antenna for a guided missile is calibrated in flight using a point source of microwave radiation and a lens to emulate a far field source. The microwave source and lens fit behind a metal cap at the leading end of the radome and so do not adversely affect the radar. A variety of techniques to power the point source are disclosed, and a variety of lens arrangements are disclosed. The invention allows a radar antenna to be calibrated in flight, and so insures against mis-calibration due to aging components as well as the heat and mechanical forces associated with storage and/or launch of the missile.

US Patent:

6747738, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Jul 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/188160

Inventors:

David J. Knapp - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Lexington MA

International Classification:

G01J 306

US Classification:

356326, 356328, 359615, 359831, 359837

Abstract:

An optical system ( ) provides a variable dispersion that helps to collect multi-spectral information on an object within the field of view. The system ( ) includes at least two sets ( ) of optical elements ( ) that have minimal deviation of a center wavelength and a non-zero deviation of at least one other wavelength. By rotating the sets of optical elements ( ) relative to one another or together, the degree of wavelength dispersion and the direction of the wavelength dispersion can be varied, respectively. By selectively rotating the sets of optical elements, the system also can be operated in a non-dispersed âwhite lightâ mode with no net dispersion at the image plane.

US Patent:

6871817, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Oct 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/695000

Inventors:

David J. Knapp - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F41G007/00
F42B015/01

US Classification:

244 316, 244 31, 244 315, 244 317

Abstract:

A system includes an optical system having a curved window with anamorphic symmetry about a first plane and a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The window may be, for example, in a flight vehicle such as a missile. An optical corrector is adjacent to a curved inner surface of the window and has an optical corrector shape responsive to a shape of the window. The optical corrector has anamorphic symmetry about the first plane and the second plane. A sensor is disposed to receive an optical ray passing sequentially through the window and the optical corrector.

US Patent:

6880467, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Sep 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/241669

Inventors:

David James Knapp - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F41G003/00
F41G001/00

US Classification:

102513, 102501, 102473, 102293, 102458, 89 4106, 89 4117, 89 11, 244 31

Abstract:

A covert tracer round has an infrared emitter of radiation mounted to its front, side or back. The radiation (which may be coherent or incoherent) is detected by a sensor that displays an image of the target and the beam. The sensor receives the beam directly if the emitter is on the back of the round and by reflection off the target or nearby objects if the emitter faces forward. The round may include a fixed or moveable collimating lens. The emitter may radiate radially from the round to signal troops or devices located along its path. The round may include sensors that gather significant information about chemicals or biological agents, about magnetic or gravitational anomalies or any other remotely detectable property and transmit that information to the sensor by modulating the emitted radiation.

US Patent:

6992275, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Aug 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/927725

Inventors:

David J. Knapp - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

H01J 40/14
G02B 3/10

US Classification:

250214VT, 250207, 359353, 359410

Abstract:

A multi-focal night vision apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can include a receptor for receiving light reflected off of and emitted from objects in an image field of the night vision apparatus and a set of optical elements for focusing the light onto the receptor. The optical elements can include a field lens having a first portion for focusing far field objects and a second portion for simultaneously focusing near field objects.

US Patent:

7019320, Mar 28, 2006

Filed:

Oct 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/682578

Inventors:

David J. Knapp - Tucson AZ, US
Paul K. Manhart - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G02B 27/22

US Classification:

250573, 359642

Abstract:

A system for sensing light transmitted with reduced optical aberrations into the interior of an enclosure utilizing a liquid filled cavity. A window is disposed on the exterior surface of the enclosure for allowing light to pass into the enclosure. A lens is disposed on the interior side of the window, defining a cavity between the window and the lens. A fluid is disposed within that cavity. An optical sensor is disposed in the interior of the enclosure, and positioned to receive light through the window and the lens. The exterior surface of the window is shaped to conform to the exterior surface of the enclosure. The fluid is selected for having an index of refraction that minimizes the mismatch with the index of refraction of the window.