VERSATILE, HIGH PRECISION STEREO POINT TRANSFER DEVICE JULY AND AUGUST 1963 PROGRESS REPORT JOB #552

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A002200010043-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 22, 2006
• Sequence Number: 43
• Publication Date: October 10, 1963
• Content Type: LETTER

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P. 0. Box 2143
Main Post Office
Washington, D. C.
Progress Report on
Project #552 for the period of August and July 1963.
Very truly yours,
Encl: (3 copies - 10 pages)
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VERSATILE, HIGH PRECISION STEREO
POINT TRAUSFER DEVICE
JULY AND AUC UST 1963
PROGRESS REPURT
JOB #552
The following work has been accomplished during this
reporting period, The comments are organized under major sub-
assemblies in the instrument,
1. OBJECT I VL ASSEMBLY
Configuration of objective assembly has been laid
out and lens focal lengths determined. Several lenses have
been obtained, or ordered, for evaluation, preliminary tests
have been made on several of them, None have been selected
until more complete test-, are completed. The Zoom magnifier
met:l~ r:is~n used on #:87 St pro ipwpr is to be incorporated as
the variable magnification element,, A turret mechanism,
similar to that in the #344 and #373 Viewers, is to index and
support the objective lensov;. Detail design of the objective
assembly has not started, but is expected to begin during the
next reporting period.
2. EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY
The folded path configuration presented in the
proposal for eyepiece assembly was found to have several
shortcomings. The principle disadvantage was rotation of
image, about 680, when eye stations were interchanged.
Secondly, the plane of image reversion was across the width
of the film rather than along its length, Thirdly, the dove
prisms, originally shown, would have been or extremely large
proportions, and the optical path lengthened considerably by
its use, The mirror equivalent of the dove prima was also
considered, but suffered similar disadvantages,
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2a EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY (Contd.. )
in an effort to overcome the above problems, and
still get the required optics in a compact package, an alter-
nate schcrme was devised that is slightly longer, but provides
great versatility, The optical schematic if this approach 1.s
shown in Figure 1. Since -mirrors that arrange the various
modes work in a collimated light path, the path length between
collimating and telescope lenses is not critical. Therefore,
image quality will be influenced only by the surface charac-
teristics of the mirrors used, and the rigidity and accuracy
of their mounts,
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 optical Schematic of Eyepiece Assembly shown in one
plane, although Collimator and Telescope paths are folded to
shorten overall length of unit,
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2. EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY (Contd.)
Thera, wii ". be a number of modes possible with the
eyePi.ece 4,49OM'Oly as it is now des.gn,:U. The toilowing are
Punt. a orntal ways of using this eyopiecE:"
There wilt be three modes tiade pussiiic by use of
switching mirrors: St-~reu, Pic ta_io~;:trr~ao ..tad triage izevors.ion.
These are accomplished by the wol won of mirrors ml and M2 and
the Penta reflectors shown in Figure I.
For stereos, mirrors Ml and M2 are shown in the
heavy lines for the two mirrors directly in front of the
toe.esco] lenses. Tracing the path through the optica)..
cheti,atic you will see that the image %ili go through the
penta reflectors, and then on to Nil or M2 and then to the
eye. (Right objective Ions to night eyelens, left objective
lens to left eyelens, )
When ml and Nit arc l.arauS;t=H= to the dotted positions,
as in Figure 1, Pseu:io=Stereo ws_li be accomplished through the
reverse of eye stations with respect to the right and left
hand objective assemblies.
iruage reversion is handled by the use of a plain
mirror and a penta reflector in each of the channels, in
Figure .1 it is seen that the path is normal, no reversion,
as shown with the pe,jta, reflector c When the penta .re-!1z,, wcr.
is turned approximately 120?, as shown in the inset Figure 1,
a plain mirror will be put into its place causing one less
reflection and therefore, a reversion in the right-left plane
will be noted. Reversion in right and left channels is in-
dependent of each other a4ld indepeudeiht also of the motions
o Y mirrors Ml and M2.
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 o EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY (Contd )
A second function in the eyepiece assembly is image
rotation. -TI.ia capability is brought about throtioh twin. t_ing
of the fiber bundle from knob 1 cry ate,3 at the front. panel,,
The extent of the +td.ju$tment j q rt adi iv 3i.-on ':,y a d"' a'. 0; 1he
front, and is, unl invited in their range of -r- 11800. The dial
will read at approximately 2" or 50 intervals. Either channel
fiber cable can be rotated at any time and also independently
of other optical. functions in the eyepiece assembly.
rl th i i-'1 fm,cti or; .n the eyepiece as: ensbly is the
image enhancement of they fiber optic cable display. This is
a.device that will integrate the defects of the image of the
f iber? optics, 1 i.nim i zing the ,.io5aic structure .:'1d pos iblez
broken fibers is the cable. way the prc -er:tat 1-0-1 1s a
rz-iatively clean image of the f i inr t1E'2.nm studied. Becrut e
the cable er:ha.nc*mer}t wechartiuris Are ai either end, both
er is are rel_atad, and w-hon the t i' er- cable is
rot= t d at ?.::ie and 4 cj %sh t'k,+ ima a rotat !o,i r?m71r,: i.oned
b -,:fO L , lh -~r l-la,vwa ~~Z ., .ern will lco h .\;e to he
rotz.ted0 Tl-_is coi.p1.;ng is easily done by conzject~ng -the
rotat inq ca.hle end in the clot or with gears. To optimize
:mechanisms synchronization in the image enhane ing process,
one fine ph.asi nej control will be necessary at the front panel
of the eyepiece s.9sembly. This adjustment causes a small
but noticeable change in the anyula-r. relationship between
the mechanisms at either er.d of a cable.
A 1 oui th. function in the eyepiece assembly will
he the interpupi!larv adjustment and focus of the eyepieces.
The eyepieces are to be ind.i.v [ lually focused to handle small
:ji.l.r~elcf1CeS i,, tw en thq Dj1s'ctturs eyes, An inLerpupillat;
Lii~Aance Ncale will be in ;,iliimeters, and will ':J.ive -che
operator the extent of interpup-illary adjustment, 'the
eY?,~-,pieces will nut be sliding, but rather zotat.crAg a?.uut a
point off the axis of the eyepiece itself. This will
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2. EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY (Contd.)
essentially be a straight line motion where the eyepiece itself
is, and should in no way cause discomfort or difficulty in
achieving a comfortable pusitiun inr viewing. To accomplish
the interpupillary adjustment the operator need only grasp
any one of the eyepieces and push or pull sideways to get the
proper adjustment. The image seen by the operator will be in
focus at all times, regardless of the adjustment and will
need no further po altioning of the eye lens if the inter-
pupillary distance is changed during the initial adjustments
for the operator, Eyepiece assembly suspension will allow
positioning of the eyepiece as required. Angular adjustment
of 301-' causes a problem here in that the fiber cable coming
out of the rear of the assembly interferes with the objective
assembly when the extreme lower Z, Y, and angular adjustments
are made on the eyepiece assembly. What we have done to
avoid this problem is to somewhat limit the angular adjustment
of the eyepiece assembly and to have the eyepiece by itself
rather than the entire assembly bring about the angular ad-
justment, With this, the linkage mounting the eyepiece
assembly to the cabinet proper will be used primarily for
the Z and Y.adjustments,and to some extent an angular ad-
justment. The links will be locked at their joints by
friction. A counterbalance will be in3talled to take most
of the weight of the eyepiece assebly from the operators
hands during the adjustment of the eyepiece position. The
degree of counterbalancin will be suc.% that the unit will
not fall or rise significantly if all the locks are released
at one time.
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Point Transfer Dev a Page 7
3. FRAME ASSEMBLY
Rigidized frame features a one piece iron alloy
casting, weighing approximately 1500 tbs., with integral
cross bracing and stiffeners to raaxi=.dzs rigidity. Continuous-
ly supported ways will have machined-in alignment, assuring
long; term stability, casting sections are designed to give
minimum de.flectionn -undk r advnr.%c installation conditions.
Integral leveling jack:, with vibration isolating pads, will
Support viewer at insta1.1,atirm site, Equipment will be
transported within the aite by built-iii casters.
Overall .tangth will be 84" providing wide, stable
carriages for both X and axis motions.
Ways consist of one round and one flat hardened
precision ground members for each carriage. A pair of ball
bushings and ball bearings engage these ways, respectively,
providing rigid and low friction carriage guidance.
4. SCAN DRIVE ASSEMBLY
Precision ground ball screws provide low friction
and low backlash for sensitive carriage positioning. Nut
is mounted axially rigid, and will tolerate some radial
misalignment. Backlash and ball preload can easily be ad-
justed for wear and desired torque level. Ball screw assem-
blies can be easily removed for servicing.
Drive motors will be of stepping type.
Slo- ynmodel SS250 1027 appears to be
the likely candidate, Further tests are needed before final
selection can be made. in gener a.I, the problem being studied
concerns the fact that torque output Itaclines as stepping
frequency increases wit?,; aotors under cons! --tirat ion. To
keep lowest frequency at a rate where motion will appoar 7
continuous, and to have IOOx speed range of motor :speed
will require a high stepping, rate that i3 accompanied by
signifigantly reduced torque, Therefore, as a compromise,
stepping rates will have a maximum around 300 steps per
second and have the required torque output. Also, a very
STAT
STAT
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point Transfer Dee Page 8
4. SCAN DRIVE ASSEMBLY (Contdc)
low stepping rate will be available so that precise positioning
is enhanced. with the screw lead gearing and motors selected,
each step will represent 0004" and .0041, respectively, when
low or high speed gear ratios are engaged.
The design ob Qctive of this equipment discussed
above is to provide a highly mtaahie and sensitive drive
ineechanism for poc.itioni.ng the optics over the film being
studied in this viewer,
LL.11 i BOX AND t' I LAM DR IVb ASShi~MBLY
Some improvements are needed, however, to minimize handling
of film dui ing film pull-down and bring operator assurance of
positive film Pull-down, regardless of film width or length.
Special concern will be placed on film chip and 35-70mm hold-
down techniques, Detailed study and design work will be
started during next reporting period in this design area.
similar to those seen In the AR-26A Viewers, will be used. STAT
Light Box structure will consist of two (2) facing
channel irun alloy caztin is supportir,y the vacuum hold-down
pl.:at.est tice ;general iliui ination lamp banks and film loading
and drive moch:anisms. Suitable Internal clearances will be
provided for the high intensity ? iko nt -sources and loop forming
r:.ecnazJ.s!rs. Rigid attach1atr,t to frame well be at ends and
middle f light 'box assembly,
Vacuum film hold-down technique with edge guides,
T`:e r ltr Drive wUl porn;-It :nasnueal trb,.r,~4i,ort of 35mm
to- y)' wwii"~tt.-s of nc SiAive ..Jr!'." Posi 'ive+ :Film', Two (2) harviles
are brought out at, U'? wr.il inr~ top Cror;'t apron.
t)ria~ (1)
handle will control hot '-;P(101 9 f, the tvndem Pair at c c'
end of light boy: aas,?~m iy,, WhQt or riewi:;ow+ of .t: pair or
single film strips no li_fficulties should be experienced in
equipment operation, For si.ngl_.- filr-i strip operation, each
handle will drive film in one direction. Dual 11m strip
viewing requires each handle to drive the respective film
l up in either direction, ro change from positive to negative
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5v LIGHT BOX AND FILM DRIVE ASSEMBLY (Cort& )
films, a lover is poaitiot,ed to correct drive train for
positive drive direction,
Incorporated in the film drive is an electric brake
that locks handles to prevent film transport and possible
scratching when pulled down or -vacuum plate
Rapid insertions and r2-roval of f i 1 r.^ :trd Spools
will. be featured in the spool supports and film guides, The
spool s~rivin :erter wi? ? be fixed, A sliding :,pindle with
its fixed Journal opposite the driving center permits spool
to be partially supported and guided while boiry aligned and
engaged with driving center pins, The spindle is t1ien driven
home r-.nd locked, This arrangement affords no loose pieces to
he misplaced and flexibility to rapidly accept 35mm, 7Omm,
5" and 911? f:iln widths up to 500 ft,, capacity spools.
The means to grip film during the automatic threading
cycle has not been determined. jne distaste for masking
tape has been recugnizcd, and effort will be made to avoid
its use.
Chain suppo--te1 ro;_,,ar_s o i -A fi.l-a 1coop by forcing
f:3n through slot b-;:we4n the v iewi;tg eareaa, with this
scheme, film is supported and guided by hiahl.y polished, free-
turning rollers so the film damage is remote. tip to 16 feet
of film can be drawn into loon; forming slot?
The r.:h:.ir, path ha-; ,lf.si jrsec' to i x ia:. t u .aQ Of
the four (4) let- urr ct .loop fo'rcai:ig
:echarditira above the filar plane, Also, this design pertnits no
obstacles to interfere itch ,igoing t e con:p~ iQ %?'~isl:.li>Sed
formats
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7. JOY 51 ICh
Two 2) ,J(,ysticks, of the type used in many of
I IViewers, fox the two axis scan control, are to
be coupled with a panto-graph linkage for control from a single
ban-die, control handle ~. .tl cort:ai.r, a push button for engaging
high apeed *scanning drives gear rat i.o =.
8WORK TO 13F? ELC.'t7M1PF.TS', i' i 1 I?7C. ''FXT FSPr?{'TTN 3 Perion
1. Continue decx{;n erfc,rts in optical, micthanical and
electrica4. areas, especially in objective and high intensity
light sou. c;e assem.1 iy.
Begin, detailing of eyepiece, frame and scan drive parts,
3 Order long lead itens such as f a l>qr, optics cablenf ball
screws, frame castings, c.Zhi sz't_Y,
~Breadboard scar= c:_:ntroi systen .for study of optical
magni f is at i o a v aodback seheme3, v i ,u.w ). of C o t s o f b t ep
frequencies and control r iex&biixty.
sU Investigate vacuum hot s~do* n devices, :to.idy existing
equipment using this technique and collect rlesi?;n par,a-
met er>;
6:. Define overal ? 9t: i it; rat