Patent ID: 6341014
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: F41G,G01B,G02B

Abstract:
A method of detecting errors in harmonizing the optical axis (Lâ€”L) of an optical instrument (1) relative to a reference direction (Vâ€”V), characterized in that:said reference direction (Vâ€”V) is materialized by a reference light beam (17); and said optical instrument (1) incorporates: an optoelectronic detector (3) disposed in the focal plane (2) of said optical instrument (1); an a focal optical system (6) coaxial with the optical axis (Lâ€”L) of said optical instrument (1) and which has a real entry pupil (7) and forms a real image (9) thereof; and an invariant optical axis translation system (10) disposed in the vicinity of said real image of the entry pupil (9), said invariant system (10) receiving said reference light beam (17) and, regardless of the angle of incidence of said beam, generating an exit light beam (18) which is parallel to said reference beam (17) and which is directed towards said optoelectronic detector (3) from at least approximately the center (9A) of said real image (9) of the entry pupil, said optoelectronic detector (3) delivering an electrical signal representative of the eccentricity of the light spot (v; 23) formed by said exit beam (18) in said focal plane (2) relative to the point (1) at which the optical axis (Lâ€”L) of said instrument (1) passes through said optical plane (2).