Patent EP0133788A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
EP0133788A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Integral optical device and method

Assignee: Corning Glass Works
•
Filing: 1984-07-30
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2004-07-30
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract An optical device is disclosed which is composed of a body (10) of photonucleable, opacifiable glass having opposed surfaces with a raised optical pattern (12) integral with at least one of such surfaces. In one form, the pattern is an array of spherically-shaped microlenses (14, 16) which can be utilized for imaging purposes. The pattern results from differential densification of the glass.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert Herman Bellman
  • 👤 Nicholas Francis Borrelli
  • 👤 David Lathrop Morse
  • 👤 Paul Arthur Sachenik

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 19:25
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0056; G02B3/0012

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 29 words
An optical device composed of at least one body of photonucleable, opacifiable glass having opposed surfaces, at least one of the surfaces having a raised optical pattern integral therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 29 words
An optical device composed of at least one body of photonucleable, opacifiable glass having opposed surfaces, at least one of the surfaces having a raised optical pattern integral therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the optical pattern is an array of spherical microlenses
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein each mircolens is closely and uniformly spaced from adjacent microlenses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the opposed surfaces has a similar raised pattern formed thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 46 words
A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein each raised optical pattern is an array of spherical microlenses, the lens arrays being in register on the opposite surfaces, and further comprising internal light transmitting cylinders connecting each pair of opposed lenses, the intermediate matrix being substantially
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the microlenses have a diameter of a least 100 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the the microlenses have a diameter of from 100-500 microns.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 45 words
A device in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the overall lens thickness (T) is related to the radius of curvature of the lens R and image-object distance (x) by the formula whereby a one-to-one erect conjugate image may be formed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 59 words
A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, having at least two glass bodies rigidly maintained in a stacked relationship'such that each lens system in one body is in registry with a corresponding lens system in an adjacent body, whereby the device has the effective thickness for imaging purposes of the two or more bodies
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 26 words
A device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the exposed lens arrays on the outer surfaces of the composite assembly have substantially the same lens power.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 22 words
A device in accordance with claim 9, wherein there are internal, facing lens arrays in the composite which function as field lenses.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 78 words
A method of creating a lens array on and integral with a glass surface which comprises covering at least one surface of a photosensitively opacifiable glass body with a mask that is transparent to actinic radiation except for a negative dot pattern corresponding to the desired lens array, exposing the masked glass to actinic radiation which nucleates exposed portions of the glass, and heat treating the selectively exposed glass to develop crystals in and density the exposed portions.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 78 words
A method of creating a lens array on and integral with a glass surface which comprises covering at least one surface of a photosensitively opacifiable glass body with a mask that is transparent to actinic radiation except for a negative dot pattern corresponding to the desired lens array, exposing the masked glass to actinic radiation which nucleates exposed portions of the glass, and heat treating the selectively exposed glass to develop crystals in and density the exposed portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the photosensitively opacifiable glass has a substantial lithium content and the crystals developed therein are lithium metasilicate and/or lithium disilicate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the selectively exposed glass is heated in the range of 500 to 600°C to cause growth of opacifying crystals in the exposed portions.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 53 words
A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein each of two opposed glass surfaces is covered with an identical dot-pattern mask, the two masks and exposure sources are assembled in registry, and the glass is alternately exposed from each side, whereby lenses of equal power develop upon heat treatment.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

No citation records indexed.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag