Day/Night Optical Sight

The APTEK day/night sight features gradient index of refraction (GRIN) optics to produce a more compact and rugged optical sight. The patented day/night sight design seamlessly transitions from daylight to dark to daylight via dual optical paths implemented by a dichroic beam splitter and beam combiner. An image intensifier is utilized in the night sight path. Use of fiber optic bundles allows a voidless optical path such that the design is more rugged than typical optical sights and is free of fogging concerns. The concept of successfully combining GRIN optics in a voidless design utilizing an image intensifier has been successfully demonstrated during live fire tests with a night sight only version. Preliminary prototype designs have been accomplished as shown in the accompanying figure, assuming an 18-mm image intensifier. Use of a 10-mm image intensifier would result reduce the size shown in the figure by approximately 30%.

 

Related Patent:

U.S. Patent #5,644,122