EP0127860A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical energy imaging system
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1984-05-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-05-26
Abstract
Abstract Wide field of view correction for wide spectral band imaging systems is achieved in reflective versions of the Schmidt and Schmidt-Cassegrain systems by the use of a fold mirror (45) which also serves as a corrector plate (Fig. 2).
Inventors
- 👤 Irving R. Abel
- 👤 Marcus R. Hatch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:03
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B17/00; G02B17/02; G02B17/06; G02B17/0626; G02B17/0642; G02B17/0605; G02B17/0621
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An optical system for imaging energy from a desired scene of interest, said system having an optical axis (12) and comprising: a first substantially spherical concave mirror means (10, 30) positioned substantially about said optical axis; and an optical detection means (50) located substantially at the position of best focus of said first spherical mirror means and characterized by: corrector fold mirror means (15, 45) located substantially at the center of curvature of said first spherical mirror means (10, 30).substantially along or parallel to said optical axis (12), wherein said corrector fold mirror means is tilted relative to said optical axis in order to receive energy from said scene of interest and reflect said received energy substantially along said optical axis onto said first spherical mirror means, and wherein said corrector fold mirror means (15, 45) comprises nonrotationally symmetric deformations for the correction of optical aberrations of said optical system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An optical system for imaging energy from a desired scene of interest, said system having an optical axis (12) and comprising: a first substantially spherical concave mirror means (10, 30) positioned substantially about said optical axis; and an optical detection means (50) located substantially at the position of best focus of said first spherical mirror means and characterized by: corrector fold mirror means (15, 45) located substantially at the center of curvature of said first spherical mirror means (10, 30).substantially along or parallel to said optical axis (12), wherein said corrector fold mirror means is tilted relative to said optical axis in order to receive energy from said scene of interest and reflect said received energy substantially along said optical axis onto said first spherical mirror means, and wherein said corrector fold mirror means (15, 45) comprises nonrotationally symmetric deformations for the correction of optical aberrations of said optical system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
System according to claim 1, characterized in that said optical correction of said corrector fold mirror means (15, 45) further comprises correction for spherical aberrations which result from the interaction of said energy with said first spherical mirror means (10, 30), said optical correction further comprising correction for the tilt of said corrector fold mirror means (14, 45) relative to said optical axis (12).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
System according to claim 1, characterized in that a small aspheric correction is applied to said first spherical mirror means (10, 30) in order to further improve the image quality of said optical system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
System according to claim 3, characterized in that said small spheric correction further comprises a substantially cylindrical deformation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
System according to claim 1, characterized in that a substantially spherical convex mirror means (31) is placed between said first spherical mirror means (30) and said optical detection means (50).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
System according to claim 5, characterized in that aspheric deformation(s) are applied to either one or both of said first or second spherical mirror means (30, 31) surfaces for the purpose of further improving the imaging of said optical system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
System according to claim 6, characterized in that the distance between said corrector fold mirror means (15, 45) and said first spherical mirror means (10, 30), and the distance between said second spherical mirror means (31) and said optical detection means (50) are adjusted to achieve optimum performance of said imaging system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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