ATN PVS7-HPT User Manual

ATN PVS-7

NIGHT VISION GOGGLES

operators’s manual

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This pro ducT conTa ins naTur al rubbe r laTe x whi ch

may cause allerg ic re acTions.

Manual (PVS-7 ) Revision 2 - March 20 08

The informati on in this manual furnished for inform ation use only, is subject to
change without notice, is not to be construed as a commitment by ATN Corp.
ATN Corp. assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccura­cies that may appear in this book.

© 2008 ATN Corp. All right reserved.

CAUTION:

SAFETY SUMMARY

CAUTIONS

• The ATN PVS-7 is a precision optical instrument and should be
handled carefully to prevent its damage.

• Do not scratch the external lens surfaces or touch them with your
fingers.

• To protect the image intensifier, keep the lens cap on the objec­tive lens on when the device is not in use or when it is checked out
in daylight conditions.

• The IR illuminator produces a light that is invisible to a naked
eye for use in conditions of extreme darkness. However, this IR
light can be detected by somebody else who use a night vision
device.

• If you use the rubber eyecups for a long time period, you may
suffer from skin inflammation. If you find any symptoms, consult a
doctor immediately.

a

NOTES

• Do not test the device in daylight conditions even with the day­light filter/lens cap on for more than ten (10 ) minutes.

• To protect the device from damage do not direct it to the bright
light sources (a fire, headlights of the automobile, lanterns, etc.).

• The purpose of the built-in IR illuminator is to view at close dis­tances up to 3 meters when additional illumination is needed.

b

EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS

To avoid physical and equipment damage when using the ATN
PVS-7, carefully read and understand the following equipment
limitations.

• The equipment requires some night light (moonlight, starlight,

etc.) to operate. The level of equipment performance depends
upon the level of light.

• Night light reduces by passing through the clouds, while operat­ing under trees, at building shadows, etc.

• The equipment is less effective when viewing into shadows and

other darkened areas.

• The equipment is less effective when viewing through the rain,

fog, sleet, snow or smoke.

• The equipment will not “see” through the dense smoke.

c

TABLE OF CONTENTS

pg.

SAFETY SUMMARY a

CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1-1

Section I: General Information 1-2

1-1 Scope 1-2
1-2 Reporting Equipment Improvement

Recommendations (EIR) 1-2

1-3 Glossary 1-2
1- 4 Administrative Stowage 1- 4

Section II: Equipment Description 1-5

1-5 Equipment Characteristics, Capabilities

and Features 1-5
1- 6 Equipment Capabilities 1-8
1-7 Specifications 1-8

Section III: Operation principles 1-11

1-8 Mechanical Functions 1-11
1-9 Optical and Electrical Functions 1-12
1-10 Consumable Items 1-13

CHAPTER 2: Operating Instructions 2-1

Section I: Operating Procedures 2-2

2-1 General 2-2
2-2 Controls and Indicators 2-2

Section II: Preventive Maintenance Checks

and Services (PMCS) 2-5

2-3 Purpose of PMCS 2-5
24 Frequency of Performing PMCS 2-5
2-5 Performance of PMCS 2-5

Section III: Assembly and Preparation 2-10

2-6 Preparation of Use 2-10
2-7 Installation of the Quick Disconnect

Helmet Mount Assembly 2-21
2-8 O perating Procedures 2-23
2-9 Preparation for Stowage 2-31

i

CHAPTER 3: Maintenance Instructions 3-1

Section I: Troubleshooting Procedures 3-2

3-1 Troubleshooting 3-2

Section II: Maintenance Procedures 3-6

3-2 Cleaning the PVS-7 3-6
3-3 Head Mount Maintenance 3- 6

APPENDIX A : System Optional Equipment A-1

FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION INFO -1

ii

iii

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1-1

SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION

1-1 SCOPE

This manual provides operation and maintenance instructions for
the PVS -7 Night Vision Goggle (which shall be designated a gog­gle or PVS-7 throughout this manual). The PVS-7 is a self-con­tained night vision device that enables improved night vision us-

ing ambient light from the night sky (moon, stars, sky glow, etc.).

1-2 REPORTING EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS (EIR)

Reports from the user on recommendations for improvements are
encouraged. Send reports to the address below:

American Technologies Network Corp.

1341 San Mateo Avenue

South San Francisco, CA 94080

[phone]
[phone]

[phone] fax

www.atncorp.com

[e-mail]

1-3 GLOSSARY

BLACK SPOTS. These arc cosmetic blemishes in the image in­tensifier of the PVS-7 or dirt or debris between the lenses.

BRIGHT SPOTS. These can be defects in the image area pro­duced by the PVS-7 . This condition is caused by a flaw in the film
on the micro-channel plate. A bright spot is a small, non-uniform,
bright area that may flicker or appear constant. Bright spots usu­ally go away when the light is blocked out and arc cosmetic blem­ishes that are signal induced.

BROWPADS. Three hook-and-pile browpads are provided to ad­just the head mount to fit different head sizes. The thin brow pad

(fits on a large head) comes attached to the head mount and the
thick or medium (fits on a smaller head) brow pads are stored in

the carrying case.

1-2

CHICKEN WIRE. An irregular pattern of dark thin lines in the field
of view either throughout the image area or in parts of the image
area. Under the worst-case condition, these lines will form hex­agonal or square wave-shaped lines.

DARK (OR DARK AREA). A place in which there is very little light.

It docs not mean total darkness. Generally, this means conditions
similar to a quarter- moon or starlit night.

DEMIST SHIELDS. The two demisting shields are used to pre­vent the eyepiece lenses from becoming fogged.

DIOPTER. A unit of measure used to define eye correction. Ad­justments to the eyepiece focus ring will change diopter and pro­vide a clearer image.

EDGE GLOW. There is a defect in the image area of the PVS-7.
Edge glow is a bright area ( sometimes sparkling) in the outer por­tion of the viewing area.

EMISSION POINT. A steady or fluctuating pinpoint of bright light
in the image area that does not go away when all light is blocked
from the objective lens. The position of an emission point within
the image area does not move. An emission point should not be
confused with a point light source in the distance.

FIXED-PATTERN NOISE. This is a cosmetic blemish in the im-

age area characterized by a faint hexagonal (honeycomb) pattern

throughout the viewing area that most often occurs at high light
level s or whe n vie wing ve r y bri g ht l ight s. F ixe d - pat t ern noise is i n­herent in the structure of the fiber optics and can be seen in ever y
image intensifier if the light level is high enough.

FLASHING. This is a defect in the image area of the PVS-7 . The
image appears to flicker or flash.

FLICKERING. See “flashing”.

IMAGE-INTENSIFIER ASSEMBLY. An electro-optical device that
detects and amplifies ambient light to produce a visual image.

INFINITY FOCUS. Adjustment of the objective lens so that a dis­tant object, such as a star or the point light on a distant tower,
forms the sharpest image

1-3

INTERMITTENT OPERATION. This is a defect in the image area of

the PVS-7 . Sec “ flashing”.
LIGHT INTERFERENCE FILTER (LIF). This is a tear-protection fil-

ter for the goggle. Use of this filter will result in a slight reduction in
system gain.

MICROCHANNEL PLATE. A current-multiplying optical disk that
intensifies the electron image produced by the photocathode.

PHOTOCATHODE. The input optic of an image intensifier that ab­sorbs light energy and in turn releases electrical energy in the form
of an electron image.

SACRIFICIAL WINDOW. A replaceable sacrificial window is sup­plied to protect the objective lens assembly during operation in ad­verse conditions.

SCINTILLATION. A faint, random, sparkling effect throughout the
image area. Scintillation is a normal characteristic of the image
intensifier assembly and should not be confused with emission
points. Scintillation is more pronounced under low-light conditions.

Also called “video noise”.

SHADING. The viewed image should be a full circle. If shading is
present, you will not see a fully circular image. Shading is indicative
of .i dying photocathode and is caused by a defective vacuum seal
of the im age inten sifier. Sh adi ng is ver y dar k an d you cann ot see an
image through it.

1-4 ADMINISTRATIVE STOWAGE

Administrative stowage of equipment should be done in the fac­tory-supplied container and after a thorough PMCS as outlined in
Chapter 3 of this manual. This will ensure the PVS-7 remains in a
mission ready-condition during storage.

1-5 WARRANTY INFORMATION

This item shall conform to design, manufacturing, and performance
requirements and be free from defects in material and workmanship

for a period of two (2) years from the date of acceptance. If item is

defective, notify ATN or point of purchase contact.

1-4

SECTION II: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION

1-5 EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS,
CAPABILITIES AND FEATURES

The PVS-7 includes the items shown in Figure 1-1. See Table 1-1 for
Standard Components and Figure 1-1 for Optional Equipment.

A. Goggle Assembly. The goggle assembly (see Figure 1-2) con-
sists of four primary sub-assemblies; a simple objective lens, a

wired housing assembly, an image intensifier tube (IIT) assembly
(not shown) and a rear cover assembly. The wired housing assem-

bly contains a built-in battery compartment, attached battery cap
and the RESET/OFF-ON-IR/PULL switch.

B. H ead m ount Ass e mbly. The adju stabl e, c ushi o ned h ead mount
assembly secures the goggle to the operator’s head for night view­ing providing freehand support for use with a weapon, protective

mask or other purposes. The thin brow pad (used for larger heads)

comes attached to the head mount and the thick or medium brow

pads (for smaller heads) arc stored in the carrying case.

C. Carrying Case. The canvas carrying case is provided for trans­portation and protection of the PVS-7, head mount assembly, bat­teries and accessories. Two slide keepers arc provided for belt
attachment A carrying case strap is also provided which can be
attached to the two D-rings on the back of the carrying case. The
case has a zipper closure.

D. Demist Shields. The two demist shields are used to prevent the
eyepiece lenses from becoming fogged.

E. Sacrificial Window. A replaceable sacrificial window is sup­plied to protect the objective lens during operation in adverse con­ditions.

F. IR Spot/Flood Lens. This item focuses the IR light for a narrow

beam (spot) or wide-angle (flood) beam illumination.

1-5

17*

1

18

16

15

12*

13

4

5

2

3*

6

11*

10

8

14

Figure 1-1. PVS-7 Components

1-6

9

Table 1-1. System Components

ITEM DESCRIPTION PART NO.

1 Head mount Assembly ATN3144268

2 Thin Brow Pad ATN3144280

3* Compass ATN31874 30

4 Medium Brow Pad ATN3144435

5 Large Brow Pad ATN3144436

6 Operator’s Manual PVS-OM-007

7 Lens Paper (Not Shown) -

8 Shoulder Strap Assembly ATN3144267

9 Light Interference Filter ATN5009737

10 Sacrificial Window ATN3144264

11* IR Spot / Flood Lens ATN3187441

12* Image intensifier Tube

13 Demist Shield Assembly ATN31442632

14 PVS-7 Assembly ATN-PVS7-001

15 AA Alkaline Batteries B-3058/U

16 Carrying Case ATN31873 92

17* Helmet Mount Assembly ATN3256390

18 Neck Cord ATN3260933

19* Shipping/Storage Case

ATN31873 93

(Not Shown)

*Optional equipment or Equipment having variants

1-7

G. Compass. This item enables the operator to see azimuth read­ings in the goggle’s illumination viewing area.

H. Neck Cord. This additional authorized item enables the user
to attach the compass or 3X magnifier lens to his/her self to guard
against dropping or losing these items

I. Optional Equipment. Optional equipment includes demist

shield s, s acr ifi c ial win dow. Lig ht Inter ference Filte r (LIF), com pass ,
helmet mount assembly and an IR spot/flood lens (see Figure 1-1).

Also included is a shipping and storage case. The PVS-7 may be
supplied in hard shipping and storage case. Batteries may also be
stored in the shipping and storage case.

1-6 EQUIPMENT CAPABILITIES

The PVS-7 is a hand-held, head mounted or helmet mounted night
vision system that enables walking, driving, weapon firing, short­range surveillance, map reading, vehicle maintenance and admin­istering first aid in both moonlight and starlight. Each unit allows for

vertical adjustment (by using head straps), fore-and-aft adjustment,

objective lens focus, eyepiece focus and eye relief distance adjust-

ment. The goggle also equipped with an infrared (IR) light-emitting
diode (or illuminator) and a low battery LED indicator. The goggle

automatically shuts off when disconnected from the head mount
or helmet mount or flipped up on the helmet mount. There is also a
high light cutoff feature that shuts off power to the goggle when it is

exposed to high levels of light for 70 (± 30) seconds.

1-7 SPECIFICATIONS

The following tables provide information pertaining to the opera­tional, electrical, mechanical, optical and environmental character­istics for the goggles.

1-8

Table 1-2. Operator Adjustment Limits

ITEM LIMITS

Interpupillary Distance 55 to 71 mm

Diopter Focus +2 to -6 diopters

Objective Focus 25 cm to infinit y

Table 1-3. Electrical Data

ITEM LIMITS

Dower Source Battery (3 VDC ma x.)

Battery Requirements 2 AA Alkaline or

1 Lithium (BA-5567/ U)

Table 1-4. M echanical Data

ITEM LIMITS

Shipping and Storage Case Size: Approx. 17 ”x12 ”x7 ”

Weight: 6.7 lbs.

Soft Carrying Case Size: Approx. 14”x8 ”

Soggle (See NOTE) Weight 1.5 lbs

NOTE

The weight of the PVS-7 does not include accessories.

1-9

Table 1-5. Optical Data

ITEM LIMITS

Magnification 1.0X

Field of View 40°

Eyepiece Focus +2 to -6 diopters

Focus Range 25 cm ( 9.8”) to infinity

Table 1-6. Environmental Data

ITEM LIMITS

Operating Temperature -40°C to +50°C

Storage Temperature -50°C to +70°C

Illumination Required Overcast starlight to moon-

light

Waterproof 1 meter for 30 min.

1-10

SECTION III: OPERATION PRINCIPLES

1-8 MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS

Mech anical ad j ustm e nts of t he PVS -7 al low for physical dif fere n ces
between individual operators using the system. The goggle’s func­tions include the power switch, interpupillary adjustment, release
latch, eye relief adjustment, diopter adjustment, IR spot/flood focus
(optional), compass illumination (optional), and objective lens fo­cus. The mechanical controls are identified in Figure 1-2.

Latch

Eye

Objective

Lens Focus

Relief

Lens C ap

Knob

Interpupillary Adj.

Diopter
Adj. Ring

RESET/OFF-ON-

IR/PULL Swith

Knob

IR Spot / Flood Focus Knob

Compass

Illumination

Button

(underneath)

Figure 1-2. Mechanical Controls for PVS-7

1-11

1-9 OPTICAL AND ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS

The optical functions include an objective lens, image intensifier, a
collimator lens and two eyepieces. The objective lens collects light
reflected from the night scene by the moon, stars or night sky and
inverts the image and focuses that image on the image intensifier.
The electrical functions include the following.

A. Power Source. The electronic circuit is powered by replaceable

batteries - either a 3.0 Volt lithium battery (BA-5567/U) or two AA

1.5 Volt alkaline batteries (BA-3O5S / U).

B. Electrical Principles. Power from the batteries is supplied to
the components through the RESET/OFF-ON-IR/PULL switch as
follows:

RESET/OFF Position. With the switch in the OFF position, the cir­cuit is not energized either to the image intensifier or the IR illumi­nator. Also, turn the switch to this position to reset after automatic
shutoff or high light cutoff.

ON Posi tio n. Power is drawn fr om the battery c omp artm ent to ener­gize the goggle. When the voltage drops to 2.4 VDC, a low battery
indicator at the right eyepiece blinks indicating approximately 30
minutes of operating time.

IR /PULL Position. Power is drawn from the battery compartment to
energize the goggle and IR light source and a steady red indicator
light in the left eyep iec e. The IR is momentarily turned on by turn ing
the switch past ON without pulling the knob.

C. Automatic Shutoff. When the goggle is removed from the head
mount or helmet mount while in operation, they will automatically
shut off. This prevents enemy detection of the green glow of the
image intensifier. To turn the goggle back on, turn the switch to RE­SET/ OFF and then to ON again.

D. High Light Cutoff. The goggle will automatically shut off after

70 (±30) seconds of operation in daylight or bright room light. In­dividual bright lights (headlights, flashlights or other concentrated

light sources) will not actuate the high light cutoff function unless
focused directly on the high light detector located on the front of the

1-12