Fernand B Kuffer

US Patent:

45197075, May 28, 1985

Filed:

Jan 31, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/462249

Inventors:

Fernand B. Kuffer - Brea CA

Assignee:

General Dynamics, Pomona Division - Pomona CA

International Classification:

G01J 314

US Classification:

356326

Abstract:

A multi-spectral detection system and method for detecting radiation from a single target within frequency bands that are in diverse portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The system includes common radiant energy collection elements for collecting radiant energy of different width wavelength bands from a single target feature in the diverse portions of the electromagnetic spectrum and focusing the collected energy to a common focal point; a waveguide positioned at the focal point for transferring the collected radiant energy away from the focal point; an imaging system for dispersing the transferred energy into separate beams having spectral regions respectively corresponding to the diverse portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the beams being of uniform cross sectional dimension notwithstanding said different widths, and for focusing the separate beams to a common plane for detection by separately positioned detectors; and separate detectors of uniform cross-sectional area positioned for respectively detecting the separate beams and adapted for respectively detecting energy in the separate spectral regions of the separate beams. Various imaging systems including focusing prisms and focusing grating systems are disclosed.

US Patent:

42825270, Aug 4, 1981

Filed:

Jun 11, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/047452

Inventors:

Jay B. Winderman - Claremont CA
Fernand B. Kuffer - Brea CA

Assignee:

General Dynamics, Pomona Division - Pomona CA

International Classification:

H01Q 2128
G02B 516

US Classification:

343725

Abstract:

A multi-spectral detection system for detecting radiation within frequency bands that are in diverse portions of the electromagnetic spectrum is disclosed. The preferred embodiment is a Cassegrain system including a primary reflector for reflecting radiant energy in the radio frequency and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum; a subreflector positioned along the axis of the primary reflector for re-reflecting the radiant energy reflected from the primary reflector toward the primary reflector and focusing the re-reflected radiant energy in a common focal plane about the system axis; a feed horn coaxially positioned at the common focal plane and having an entrance in the common focal plane about the system axis for transferring the collected radio frequency radiant energy from the focal plane to a detector of radio frequency radiant energy; and a bundle of optical fibers coaxially positioned at the common focal plane and having openings in the common focal plane about the system axis for transferring collected infrared radiant energy from the focal plane to a detector of infrared radiant energy. A baffle is coaxially positioned for blocking light other than the re-reflected infrared radiation from being received and transferred by the optical fibers.

US Patent:

40871622, May 2, 1978

Filed:

Sep 22, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/725592

Inventors:

Fernand Bannie Kuffer - Brea CA

Assignee:

General Dynamics Corporation - Pomona CA

International Classification:

G02B 508
G02B 2714

US Classification:

350299

Abstract:

A system for optically dividing an incident beam into segments and processing it through optics with obscurations, while maintaining the full power of the incident beam. The system utilizes a combination of mirror sets with the processing optics. The mirror sets incorporate spaced parallel reflecting surfaces nominally oriented at 45. degree. to the incident beam. The processing optics are of the type with optical member support structure, or obscuring secondary mirrors. The distance along the incident beam axis that the two surfaces of the mirror sets are separated determines the separation between the beam halves reflected from the first mirror set, and the beam quadrants reflected from the second mirror set. This is spaced to miss the structure or secondary obscuration.

US Patent:

40537650, Oct 11, 1977

Filed:

Sep 27, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/727312

Inventors:

Fernand Bannie Kuffer - Brea CA

Assignee:

General Dynamics Corporation - Pomona CA

International Classification:

G02B 514

US Classification:

250227

Abstract:

A light pen sighting device for aligning the receptor of a light pen with an interactive display includes a support member in the form of a transparent plastic body having opposed parallel surfaces with a reticle in the form of points formed in the respective surfaces and a reflector disposed directly between and aligned with the reticle for reflecting light travelling along the axis of the reticle directly into the receptor of a light pen to which the device is mounted, thereby providing a parallex free light pen. An alternate embodiment utilizes fiber-optics for receiving and transmitting light to the receptor.

US Patent:

39611795, Jun 1, 1976

Filed:

Feb 7, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/547901

Inventors:

Fernand Bannie Kuffer - Brea CA

Assignee:

General Dynamics Corporation - Pomona CA

International Classification:

G01J 120

US Classification:

250203R

Abstract:

A low mass inertia scanning system is used in conjunction with a servo control system to make high frequency changes in beam direction. The scanning system is placed behind a beam expansion optical system, which reduces the mass-inertia and increases its directional accuracy. When used in the reverse direction, with beam reduction, it can be used to increase the directional movement. A beam scanning system, refractive or reflective, diverts the ray direction from or toward the primary optical axis. A beam expander, a telescope in reverse, projects the beam, for instance, to a moving target. Alternately if the source-director-telescope is moving, it can keep the beam on a stationary or moving target. The beam direction or image is maintained in the same position, irrespective of source-director-telescope or target movement, by means of a sensing device and a servo system which appropriately adjusts the position of the scanning system (director) to accommodate such position change.

US Patent:

53271491, Jul 5, 1994

Filed:

May 18, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/885105

Inventors:

Fernand B. Kuffer - Brea CA

Assignee:

Hughes Missile Systems Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H01Q 21280
H01Q 19190
H01Q 15140
G01S 1300

US Classification:

343720

Abstract:

A dual-mode, radio frequency, optical-wavelength detector apparatus includes RF-transparent optical elements adapted to focusing optical energy in a wavelength range including ultraviolet through infrared wavelengths, on an optical detector, and an RF antenna located behind the optical elements. One embodiment of the apparatus employs a Cassegrain infrared optical telescope system having a concave primary mirror, the front surface of which has applied thereto multiple layers of dielectric material comprising an interference filter reflective in a band of infrared wavelengths, and transmissive to radio frequency energy. A convex secondary mirror having a similar reflective coating is so located as to reflect infrared energy backwards through a central coaxial perforation through the primary mirror onto an infrared detector. The apparatus includes a planar RF antenna rearward of the primary mirror, which antenna utilizes the full aperture of the infrared optical system for the reception and transmission of RF energy.