Darrell P Lee

US Patent:

47557257, Jul 5, 1988

Filed:

Feb 27, 1987

Appl. No.:

6/944012

Inventors:

William A. Kastendieck - Wylie TX
Darrell E. Lee - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Varo, Inc. - Garland TX

International Classification:

H01J 3150

US Classification:

315360

Abstract:

A circuit for automatically removing battery power from a night vision goggle (10) upon its detachment from a headgear (12) or when subjected to excessive light. A magnet (34) on the headgear (12) is magnetically coupled to a magnetic reed switch (36) fixed to the goggle (10). On detachment of the goggle (10) from the headgear (12), the reed switch (36) switches battery current to a goggle location monitor (75) for drilling on/off control logic (79) to remove power from an image intensifier tube (40). A high intensity light monitor (80) senses when the ambient light exceeds a predefined intensity, for a predetermined period of time, and also drives the control logic (79) to open a switch (86) in series with the battery (38) and the image intensifier tube (40). A low voltage monitor (82) provides a visual indication (84) of reduced battery voltages.