Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure is generally directed to systems for aircraft. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to any system with a three-point spacer with wishbone retention. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional missiles include metallic shims in their optics for their infrared seekers, which is the part of the missile used to home in on a target. The shims adjust the focus of light within the optical system. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure provides a system with a three-point focus spacer and wishbone retention. 
     According to an embodiment, a system includes a light detector, optics, a telescope camera mount, a plurality of spacers, and a retainer. The optics are configured to focus light on the light detector. The telescope camera mount is configured to at least partially support the optics. The plurality of spacers are positioned between the optics and the light detector. A retainer is coupled to the plurality of spacers. 
     Certain embodiments may provide various technical advantages depending on the implementation. For example, a technical advantage of some embodiments may include the capability to provide like-sized spacers for mounting between optics and a light detector. A technical advantage of other embodiments may include the capability to provide a retainer that assists mounting of spacers between optics and a light detector and then is removed. Yet another technical advantage may include the capability for stacking like-sized spacers for fine-tune adjusting of light upon a light detector. Yet another technical advantage may include the capability to provide a retainer that assists mounting of spacers between optics. Yet another technical advantage may include the capability to provide a retainer that assists mounting of spacers between components in a non-optical system. A further technical advantage may include features on the retainer for ease of handling. 
     Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. Additionally, other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  introduces with block diagrams concepts of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an environmental view of an example system in which the optical system may be utilized; 
         FIG. 3  shows portions of an optical system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates further details of an integrated shim retainer unit  410 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 through 4 , described below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system. 
       FIG. 1  introduces with block diagrams concepts of the disclosure. In a fixed focus optical system  110 , light  120  may be introduced through optics  130  (e.g., mirrors and lenses) onto a light detector  130 . The focus of light on the light detector  140  may be adjusted by introducing spacer(s)  150 , which are sometimes referred to as a “shim.” Among other things, the spacer(s)  150  can increase the distance the light travels between the optics  130  and the light detector  140 . Although spacers are described as being placed between the optics  130  and the light detector  140 , the spacer(s)  150  can also be placed between other elements in the fixed focus optical system  110 , for example, between mirrors or lenses of the optics. 
     In conventional settings, a first spacer may be introduced into the fixed focus optical system. Then, tests may be conducted to determine whether the first spacer yields the appropriate focus on the light detector. If not, adjustments may be made, for example, by introducing a second or alternative spacer with a different thickness. 
     In such conventional settings, two approaches have been utilized. In a first approach, in order to minimize and distribute weight, three pad spacers are mounted in the same plane approximately 120 degrees apart from one another. A problem with this first approach arises from the fact that not every pad spacer has the same thickness. For example, as described above, different spacer thicknesses are typically utilized; and, in some scenarios, twenty or more different spacer thicknesses with very small size differences may be utilized to fine-tune a system. Accordingly, seemingly same thickness spacers may be utilized; however, tests reveal that one spacer may be larger than the other spacers, yielding an improper focus. 
     A second approach involves utilizing a single annular spacer of uniform thickness. This second approach partially alleviates the problem of the first approach; however, the singular annular shim introduces its own problem—increased and improperly distributed weight. Such a weight problem is exacerbated when larger thickness or larger diameters for the optics are utilized. Moreover, attempts to decrease the weight by only covering a portion of an annulus of a circle exacerbates weight distribution problems. Moreover, this single annular spacer may prohibitively occupy space where space is not available. 
     Thus, in conventional operations, one is forced with a decision as to whether they want to have problems with multiple non-uniform spacer or problems with weight for a single annular spacer. Given these concerns, certain embodiments of the disclosure provide a spacer configuration that alleviate both concerns. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an environmental view of an example system  210  in which the optical system  220  (described more fully below) may be utilized. In particular, the example system  210  of  FIG. 2  is a GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II). As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, the GBU-53/B SDB II is an air-launched precision strike weapon that, among other features, includes a millimeter wave (MMW) radar to detect and track targets through weather, imaging infrared (IIR) for enhanced target discrimination and classification, and semi-active laser (SAL) for the maximum in operational flexibility. In  FIG. 2 , a clamshell cover (not shown) is removed to show a portion of an optical system  220 . Light is introduced into the optical system  220  and measured to allow for adjustments to the example system  210  as necessary. 
     Although example system  210  in  FIG. 1  is shown, it should be understood that the invention is not intended as being limited to the example system  210 . Rather, other systems avail from teachings of the disclosure. Such other systems include aircraft, missiles, and any other fixed focus optical systems. 
       FIG. 3  shows portions  330  of an optical system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The portions  330  may be part of the optical system  220  of  FIG. 2 . The portions  330  of the optical system of  FIG. 3  include a camera assembly  340 , a first integrated shim retainer unit  350 , a second integrated shim retainer unit  360 , and a telescope camera mount  370 . 
     The camera assembly  340  includes a detector  342 . The detector  342  may be any device capable of receiving light and generating a signal or signals based on such received light. As a non-limiting, the detector  342  may be an array having pixels sensitive to light such as, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD). The term “light,” as used herein, is intended as being interpreted broadly to include a broad range of wavelengths of radiation of radiation, including those beyond the visible spectrum (e.g., infrared light). Thus, in particular embodiments, the detector  342  may be an infrared light detector. Although not expressly called out here, a variety of electronics may be associated with the camera assembly  340  and the detector. For purposes of brevity and because one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize such features, they are not described. 
     The camera assembly  340  also includes three mounting posts  344 . The mounting posts  344  allow the mounting of other items thereon as will be described below. 
     The first integrated shim retainer unit  350  includes three spacers  352  and a retainer  354 . The spacers  352  are configured to be placed on the three mounting posts  344 . In particular configurations, each of the three spacers  352  have the same size such that one picking up the first integrated shim retainer unit  350  will have three same-sized spacers  352 . The spacers  352  and the retainer  354  may be made of any suitable material. In one configuration, the spacers  352  and the retainer  354  are made of metal. The retainer  354  in the configuration of  FIG. 3  is wishbone shaped and may provide certain benefits as described below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The second integrated shim retainer unit  360 , like the first integrated shim retainer  350 , includes three spacers  362  and a retainer  364 . The spacers  362  are configured to be placed on the three mounting posts  344 . In particular configurations, each of the three spacers  362  have the same size such that one picking up the first integrated shim retainer unit  360  will have three same-sized spacers  362 . The retainer  364  in the configuration of  FIG. 3  is, like the retainer  352 , wishbone shaped. The spacers  362  and the retainer  364  may be made of any suitable material. In one configuration, the spacers  362  and the retainer  364  are made of metal. 
     In certain configurations, the spacers  352  of the first integrated shim retainer unit  350  have different sizes than the spacers  362  of the second integrated shim retainer unit  360 . Thus, for example, the first integrated shim retainer unit  350  may serve as a coarse adjustment on spacing between whereas the second integrated shim retainer unit  360  may serve as a fine adjustment on spacing between optics (not expressly shown in  FIG. 3 , but seen in  FIG. 1 ) and the detector  342 . 
     Although two integrated shim retainer units ( 350 ,  360 ) have been shown, more than two more may be utilized. Additionally, in certain configurations only one integrated shim retainer unit may be utilized. Additionally, in certain configurations, other intermediate devices such as washers may be utilized. Further detail of the integrated shim retainer unit is provided below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The telescope camera mount  370  has receiving portions  372  that are configured to be placed on the three mounting posts  344  on top of the spacers  352 ,  362 . Although not shown in this view, a variety of optical elements (e.g., described as optics in  FIG. 1 ) may be placed on the telescope camera mount to focus light on the detector  342 . Such elements include, but are not limited to, mirrors and lenses. In certain configurations, such mirrors and lenses may be associated with a fixed focus telescope. The details of such an operation are not described as they will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after having read this specification. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates further details of an integrated shim retainer unit  410 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The integrated shim retainer unit  410  of  FIG. 4  may be either of the shim retainer units  350 ,  360  of  FIG. 3 . Similar to the integrated shim retainer units  350 ,  360  of  FIG. 3 , the integrated shim retainer unit  410  of  FIG. 4  includes three spacers  420  and a retainer  430 . 
     The retainer  430 , which is shaped like a wishbone in  FIG. 4 , includes a retaining portion  434  and a connecting portion  432 . The retaining portion  434  is configured to hold the spacers  420  whereas the connecting portion  432  is configured to keep the spacers  420  together. The retaining portion  434  may contain any suitable configuration for holding the spacers. The connecting portion  432  may allow one picking up the integrated shim retainer unit  410  to pick up three like-sized spacers  420 . 
     In particular configurations, the weight of the retainer  430  is distributed such that a balance is maintained. That is, for example, when the integrated shim retainer unit  410  is placed atop the camera assembly  340  of  FIG. 3 , the moment with respected to a central point of the camera assembly  340  is zero, or easily counterbalanced to be zero. Such a balance may be accomplished by placing extra material in areas of the retainer  430 , varying the materials for the retainer  430 , or adding an appropriate counterbalance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a thickness  426  of the spacers  420  is less than a thickness  436  of the retaining portion  432  and the connecting portion  434  of the retainer  430 . Additionally, a width  428  of the spacers  420  is less than a width  438  of the connecting portion  434  of the retainer  430 . Such a configuration may help reduce the weight and size of the retainer  430 . 
     In particular configurations, the retainer  430  may be disposable. For example, one picking up the integrated shim retainer unit  410  picks up three-similar sized spacers  420 . After placing the spacers  420  on, for example, the three mounting posts  344  of the camera assembly  340  of  FIG. 3 , the retainer  430  may be removed. To facilitate such removability, any suitable configuration may be utilized on the retainer. 
     Although certain optical system embodiments have been described above as availing from the disclosed configurations herein, other non-optical systems may avail from the disclosed configurations. For example, any mechanical design needing space adjustments with multiple spacers between components may avail from the present disclosure. 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. 
     While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

Technology Category: 3