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Introduction
A periscope is a device that allows an observer to look over, around, or through an object, impediment, or circumstance that limits direct line-of-sight observation from their current location.
It comprises an exterior box with mirrors at either end arranged parallel to each other at a 45° angle in its most basic version.
Periscope is an optical apparatus used in land and sea combat, underwater navigation, and other applications to allow an observer to see his surroundings while remaining hidden, protected, or submerged.
Two mirrors or reflecting prisms are used in a periscope to change the direction of light emanating from the scene being observed: the first deflects it down through a vertical tube, while the second diverts it horizontally, allowing the scene to be viewed more easily. A telescopic optical system that provides magnification, a wide arc of vision, and a cross line pattern to establish the line of sight to the object under study is frequently used. In military applications, there may also be equipment for assessing the target’s range and course.
The most basic periscope consists of a tube with two mirrors at each end that are parallel to one other but at 45 degrees to the tube’s axis. This device does not provide magnification or a cross line image. The simple form of the tube limits the arc of vision: the longer or narrower the tube, the smaller the field of view. Periscopes of this type were commonly utilised as viewing devices for the driver, gunner, and commander of tanks and other armoured vehicles during World War II. The tank periscope can also be used to point and fire the guns when equipped with a small auxiliary gunsight telescope. Wide, horizontal fields of view can be created by using tubes with a rectangular cross section.
Where,
- a is mirrors
- b is prisms
- c is observer’s eye
Three main areas of periscopes
Submarine
It’s useful for keeping track of things. It consists of a tube with mirrors placed parallel to each other at each end. It may also have two simple lenses, depending on whether or not regular light reflection on the plane mirrors occurs. Periscope allows the submarine to visually scan for nearby targets and threats on the water’s surface. It’s also used in submarines to see what’s going on behind a wall or a barrier. Some sophisticated periscopes are used on submarines and in a variety of scientific sectors. In general, it can see over obstructions that are between 9 and 26 metres tall. It assists in determining the torpedo attack distance as well as the correct timing to fire the torpedo at high speed.
Military
For more than 80 years, the United States Navy has used periscope technology in practically every submarine’s control room. The integration of sensors with submarine technology is predicted to boost the market value of Periscopes as technology advances. This rise in market value has been aided by an increase in the number of attacks launched. Virginia-Class engineers have produced one such development in submarine sensor technology. The technology is known as “Fly-by-Wire.” electronics In addition, the software that underpins this technology allows the user to control the ship’s movement completely through software.
Medicine
The medical holography market has used endoscopic technology in order to further enhance periscope technology within the medical field. Aside from it, a number of other imaging technologies are now being used to broaden this sector. A hologram is a visual depiction of an interference pattern recorded on a recording device. When a reference light beam of a specific wavelength collides with light of the same wavelength as the object beam, it forms. As a result, researchers in the medical profession are seeking to improve such systems for the benefit of humanity.
Armoured vehicle periscopes
Periscopes are used in tanks and armoured vehicles to allow drivers, tank commanders, and other vehicle occupants to examine their surroundings through the vehicle’s roof. Prior to periscopes, people could see out through direct viewing slots in the armour. Periscopes allow occupants to see outside of the vehicle without having to cut weaker visibility apertures in the front and side armour, ensuring that the vehicle and its occupants are better protected.
A proctoscope is a periscopic vision device that creates a window in an armoured plate, similar to a direct viewing slit. The visual slit can be blanked off with spaced armoured plates thanks to a tiny periscope inside the protectoscope. With only a tiny variation in vision height, this removes a potential entrance site for small weapons fire, although it still necessitates cutting the armour.
Gundlach and Vickers 360-degree periscopes
The Gundlach rotary periscope, for example, featured a spinning top with a selectable extra prism that reversed the vision. By using the extra prism, a tank commander may get a 360-degree field of view without shifting his seat, including rear vision. The Polish 7-TP light tank was the first to employ this concept, which was patented by Rudolf Gundlach in 1936.
Periscopic gun-sights
During World War II, periscopic sights were also introduced. In British service, the Vickers periscope was equipped with sighting lines, which allowed the front and back prisms to be aligned directly to acquire an accurate direction. A similar marked episcope supplied a backup sighting device matched with a vane sight on the turret roof on subsequent tanks like the Churchill and Cromwell.
Modern specialised AFV periscope
Specialised periscopes can also give night vision in current application. Kent Periscopes’ Embedded Image Periscope (EIP) combines standard unity vision periscope functionality with the ability to display digital images from a variety of on-vehicle sensors and cameras (including thermal and low light), resulting in an image that appears “embedded” within the unit and projected at a comfortable viewing position.
Uses of periscope
Periscopes can be used for a variety of purposes in addition to observing objects that are not in direct line of sight:
- It’s used in submarines to figure out how far a torpedo will go and when the best moment to attack is.
- It is employed in nuclear reactors to monitor the chemical reactions that are occurring.
- Periscopes are used by military personnel to watch from their hiding place. A periscope’s biggest disadvantage is that it can only be used by one person at a time.
- The periscope is used by tanks and armoured vehicles to assess their surroundings.
Conclusion
A periscope is a device that allows an observer to look over, around, or through an object, impediment, or circumstance that limits direct line-of-sight observation from their current location.
It comprises an exterior box with mirrors at either end arranged parallel to each other at a 45° angle in its most basic version. Periscopes are used in tanks and armoured vehicles to allow drivers, tank commanders, and other vehicle occupants to examine their surroundings through the vehicle’s roof. Prior to periscopes, people could see out through direct viewing slots in the armour.
Uses:
- It’s used in submarines to figure out how far a torpedo will go and when the best moment to attack is.
- It is employed in nuclear reactors to monitor the chemical reactions that are occurring.
