US3624400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the production of high-resolution visible images of objects illuminated by or emitting infrared radiation
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1970-01-28
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1990-01-28
Abstract
Abstract High-resolution visible images of objects illuminated by or emitting infrared radiation are obtained by a unique combination of objective lenses and an image-converter tube adapted so that the resolution is advantageously limited by the wavelength and diffraction effects in the lenses rather than by the imageconverter tube itself. Both monocular- and binocular-lens systems, as well as direct and incident illumination systems, are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry George Cohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/50; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/12; H01J2231/00; H01J2231/50; H01J2231/50005; H01J2231/5001; H01J2231/50015; H01J2231/50026; H01J2231/50057; H01J2231/50063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for viewing an object illuminated by infrared radiation comprising, in combination, means having input and output faces for converting an infrared image on its input face into a visible image on its output face, said converting means having a resolution factor s, and objective lens means for projecting a magnified image of said object onto said input face, said lens means having magnification factor M and a resolution factor R equal approximately to the wavelength of said infrared radiation divided by twice the numerical aperture of said lens means, the combination of said image converting means and said objective lens means being adapted so that the product M X R is greater than s, thereby to limit the resolution of said apparatus by the resolution of said lens means rather than by the resolution of said image converting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for viewing an object illuminated by infrared radiation comprising, in combination, means having input and output faces for converting an infrared image on its input face into a visible image on its output face, said converting means having a resolution factor s, and objective lens means for projecting a magnified image of said object onto said input face, said lens means having magnification factor M and a resolution factor R equal approximately to the wavelength of said infrared radiation divided by twice the numerical aperture of said lens means, the combination of said image converting means and said objective lens means being adapted so that the product M X R is greater than s, thereby to limit the resolution of said apparatus by the resolution of said lens means rather than by the resolution of said image converting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in combination with means for magnifying the visible image produced on said output face of said image converting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said magnifying means comprises monocular lens means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said magnifying means comprises means for separating a single light beam into a pair of separate light beams, means for coupling said visible image on said output face of said image converting means to said separating means, thereby to produce a pair of said images in separate image planes, a pair of lenses having their image planes coincident with said separate image planes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said separating means comprises a beamsplitting prism and said coupling means comprises a relay lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in combination with means for controllably illuminating said object with infrared radiation comprising a source of radiation, filter means disposed between said object and said source for transmitting only infrared radiation, diaphragm means disposed between said filter means and said object to control the intensity of radiation incident upon said object, and condenser lens means disposed between said diaphragm means and said object for focusing said transmitted radiation upon said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said illuminating means and said object, objective lens means, and image converting means lie along the same optic axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in combination with an analyzing polarizer positioned between said objective lens means and said image converting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in combination with a second polarizer positioned between said source of radiation and said object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said illuminating means and the group comprising said object, objective lens, and image converting means lie along intersecting noncollinear optic axes, and wherein said illuminating means further includes means for partially reflecting and partially transmitting infrared radiation, said latter means being disposed at the intersection of said optic axes for reflecting said transmitted infrared radiation through said objective lens to incidence on said object, and second diaphragm means disposed between said condenser lens and said partially reflecting and partially transmitting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said partially reflecting-partially transmitting means comprises a planar mirror and in combination with a polarizer positioned between said mirror and said source of radiation so that radiation incident upon said mirror is polarized primarily in the plane of said mirror.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said image converting means comprises an image-converter tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 12 for synchronous or stroboscopic operation in combination with means for turning on and off said tube at controlled, specified intervals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said tube includes a high voltage source for operation thereof and said means for turning on and off said tube comprises a pulse source coupled to said high voltage source so that said high voltage is applied to said tube only during said specified intervals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |