Jun 2, 2026

US12644673 - Imaging systems for moving platforms

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a lens is provided. The lens can be used in an imaging platform of a moving platform (e.g., a projectile or guided munition), for example, in a seeker arrangement. The lens can be configured to optical rotation information of the moving platform to an optical sensor as the moving platform moves in space, for example, following a mission profile.

Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
Inventors: Zenon Melnyk
Filing date: 2022-08-22

The patent describes an imaging system for moving platforms, such as projectiles or guided munitions, that includes a lens, an optical sensor, and mirrors to relay inertial information. This system allows for the determination of directional attributes like pitch and yaw, enhancing target tracking capabilities through designated pixel areas for seeker and inertial data.

Claim 1

1 . A system, comprising: a lens; an optical sensor configured to receive image data through the lens; one or more mirrors optically connected to the lens to reflect inertial information to the optical sensor; and a controller operatively connected to the optical sensor, the controller configured to determine at least one of direction, pitch, roll, and/or yaw of a moving platform based at least in part on the inertial information received by the optical sensor; wherein the optical sensor defines at least a first pixel area and a second pixel area, wherein the first pixel area includes seeker pixels configured for tracking a target and the second pixel area includes inertial pixels configured for aiding tracking the target. a lens; an optical sensor configured to receive image data through the lens; one or more mirrors optically connected to the lens to reflect inertial information to the optical sensor; and a controller operatively connected to the optical sensor, the controller configured to determine at least one of direction, pitch, roll, and/or yaw of a moving platform based at least in part on the inertial information received by the optical sensor; wherein the optical sensor defines at least a first pixel area and a second pixel area, wherein the first pixel area includes seeker pixels configured for tracking a target and the second pixel area includes inertial pixels configured for aiding tracking the target.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12644673

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12644673