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US3711722A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Detecting systems and the like

Assignee: American Optical Corp
•
Filing: 1958-07-28
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1978-07-28
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Abstract

Abstract 1. A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface adjacent said focal point, said annular refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, so disposed in offset relation to said axis and so spaced relative to said focal point and so convexly elliptically curved as to face outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said optical axis and simultaneously direct and concentrate substantially all of the light being received from corresponding parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value and width onto said layer, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said annular object field will be detected by said photosensitive layer.

Inventors

  • 👤 A Kavanagh

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 09:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; G01J1/04; G01J1/06; G01J1/0407; G01J1/0411; G01J1/0422; G02; G02B; G02B19/00; G02B19/0004; G02B19/0009; G02B19/0014; G02B19/0033; G02B19/0076; G02B3/00; G02B3/02; G02B3/06; H; H10; H10F; H10F99/00; G01J1/0204; G01J1/0209

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 176 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface adjacent said focal point, said annular refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, so disposed in offset relation to said axis and so spaced relative to said focal point and so convexly elliptically curved as to face outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said optical axis and simultaneously direct and concentrate substantially all of the light being received from corresponding parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value and width onto said layer, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said annular object field will be detected by said photosensitive layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 176 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface adjacent said focal point, said annular refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, so disposed in offset relation to said axis and so spaced relative to said focal point and so convexly elliptically curved as to face outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said optical axis and simultaneously direct and concentrate substantially all of the light being received from corresponding parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value and width onto said layer, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said annular object field will be detected by said photosensitive layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 234 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens including first and second refractive elements of predetermined characteristics and a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size, said first and second elements being disposed in operative relation to each other and having spherically curved concave and convex adjacent surfaces formed thereon and constituting an optical interface between said elements, an exposed annularly shaped convex toric refracting surface formed on said first element in concentric relation to a central axis of said lens and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said annular refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, so curved and so disposed in offset relation to said axis as to face outwardly toward a hollow conically shaped annular object field in predetermined angular relation to said axis and said focal point thereon, said second element having a second surface thereon arranged to transversely intersect said axis substantially at said focal point and supporting said layer of photosensitive material adjacent said focal point, the convex curvature of said annular surface, in each radial section thereof being such as to focus light from a distant light source anywhere in said annular field substantially at said focal point, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said predetermined annular object field will be directed onto said photosensitive layer and be detected thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 234 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens including first and second refractive elements of predetermined characteristics and a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size, said first and second elements being disposed in operative relation to each other and having spherically curved concave and convex adjacent surfaces formed thereon and constituting an optical interface between said elements, an exposed annularly shaped convex toric refracting surface formed on said first element in concentric relation to a central axis of said lens and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said annular refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, so curved and so disposed in offset relation to said axis as to face outwardly toward a hollow conically shaped annular object field in predetermined angular relation to said axis and said focal point thereon, said second element having a second surface thereon arranged to transversely intersect said axis substantially at said focal point and supporting said layer of photosensitive material adjacent said focal point, the convex curvature of said annular surface, in each radial section thereof being such as to focus light from a distant light source anywhere in said annular field substantially at said focal point, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said predetermined annular object field will be directed onto said photosensitive layer and be detected thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 171 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface Adjacent said focal point, said annular refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, so disposed in offset relation to said axis and so spaced relative to said focal point and so convexly curved as to face outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said axis and simultaneously direct and concentrate substantially all of the light being received from corresponding parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value and width onto said layer, and a layer of opaque material on a surface of said lens opposite said second surface and the layer of photosensitive material thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 171 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface Adjacent said focal point, said annular refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, so disposed in offset relation to said axis and so spaced relative to said focal point and so convexly curved as to face outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said axis and simultaneously direct and concentrate substantially all of the light being received from corresponding parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value and width onto said layer, and a layer of opaque material on a surface of said lens opposite said second surface and the layer of photosensitive material thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 181 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface adjacent said focal point, said annularly shaped toric refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, convexly elliptically curved and so disposed relative to said focal point as to face generally outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said axis, the elliptical curvature of said refracting surface being such as to simultaneously monitor all parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value and width so as to concentrate light from any part thereof onto said photosensitive layer of small size, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said annular object field will be detected by said photosensitive layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 181 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface adjacent said focal point, said annularly shaped toric refracting surface being, in all radial sections thereof, convexly elliptically curved and so disposed relative to said focal point as to face generally outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said axis, the elliptical curvature of said refracting surface being such as to simultaneously monitor all parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value and width so as to concentrate light from any part thereof onto said photosensitive layer of small size, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said annular object field will be detected by said photosensitive layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 221 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said central axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface adjacent said focal point, said annularly shaped toric refracting surface being in all radial sections thereof, convexly elliptically curved and so disposed relative to said focal point as to face generally outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said central axis, and simultaneously direct and concentrate light being received from all parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value onto said layer, the elliptical curvature of said refracting surface being such as to satisfy the formula F1F2 (2VF2/(n1 + 1) wherein F1F2 is the distance between the foci of said ellipse, VF2 is the distance from the forward vertex of the ellipse to the rear foci thereof and N1 is the refractive index of the material forming said lens, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said annular object field will be detected by said photosensitive layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 221 words
A light-collecting and detecting system comprising a lens having an annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis of said system, and in predetermined spaced relation to a preselected focal point on said axis, said lens having a second surface thereon transversely intersecting said central axis substantially at said focal point, a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size carried by said second surface adjacent said focal point, said annularly shaped toric refracting surface being in all radial sections thereof, convexly elliptically curved and so disposed relative to said focal point as to face generally outwardly in predetermined angular relation to said central axis, and simultaneously direct and concentrate light being received from all parts of a conically shaped hollow annular object field of predetermined mean angular value onto said layer, the elliptical curvature of said refracting surface being such as to satisfy the formula F1F2 (2VF2/(n1 + 1) wherein F1F2 is the distance between the foci of said ellipse, VF2 is the distance from the forward vertex of the ellipse to the rear foci thereof and N1 is the refractive index of the material forming said lens, whereby any material change in intensity in the light being received from any part of said annular object field will be detected by said photosensitive layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 181 words
A light-collecting and detecting system for simultaneously monitoring changes in light intensities in all parts of a hollow conically shaped object field extending outwardly from said system, said system comprising a lens having a first annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis through said lens, a second surface formed on said lens in spaced relation to said first surface, said second surface being a plane surface in transverse relation to said central axis and intersecting said axis substantially at a preselected focal point thereon, and a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size upon said second surface and in concentric rElation to said central axis, said first refracting surface, in all radial sections of said lens being so convexly curved and so spaced from said focal point and disposed in such predetermined mean offset angular relation with reference to said central axis as to jointly simultaneously face corresponding parts of said hollow conically shaped object field and focus the substantially parallel light being received from said corresponding parts respectively at said focal point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 181 words
A light-collecting and detecting system for simultaneously monitoring changes in light intensities in all parts of a hollow conically shaped object field extending outwardly from said system, said system comprising a lens having a first annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis through said lens, a second surface formed on said lens in spaced relation to said first surface, said second surface being a plane surface in transverse relation to said central axis and intersecting said axis substantially at a preselected focal point thereon, and a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size upon said second surface and in concentric rElation to said central axis, said first refracting surface, in all radial sections of said lens being so convexly curved and so spaced from said focal point and disposed in such predetermined mean offset angular relation with reference to said central axis as to jointly simultaneously face corresponding parts of said hollow conically shaped object field and focus the substantially parallel light being received from said corresponding parts respectively at said focal point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 225 words
A light-collecting and detecting system for simultaneously monitoring changes in light intensities in all parts of a hollow conically shaped object field extending outwardly from said system, said system comprising a lens having a first annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis through said lens, a second surface formed on said lens in spaced relation to said first surface, said second surface being a plane surface in transverse relation to said central axis and intersecting said axis substantially at a preselected focal point thereon, and a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size upon said second surface and in concentric relation to said central axis, said first refracting surface, in all radial sections of said lens being so convexly curved and so spaced from said focal point and disposed in such predetermined mean offset angular relation with reference to said central axis as to jointly simultaneously face corresponding parts of said hollow conically shaped object field and focus the substantially parallel light being received from said corresponding parts respectively at said focal point, the width of said hollow conically shaped object field measured between the inner and outer edges thereof being of small predetermined angular value, and the size of said layer of photosensitive material being predetermined so as to receive substantially all of said focused light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 225 words
A light-collecting and detecting system for simultaneously monitoring changes in light intensities in all parts of a hollow conically shaped object field extending outwardly from said system, said system comprising a lens having a first annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis through said lens, a second surface formed on said lens in spaced relation to said first surface, said second surface being a plane surface in transverse relation to said central axis and intersecting said axis substantially at a preselected focal point thereon, and a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size upon said second surface and in concentric relation to said central axis, said first refracting surface, in all radial sections of said lens being so convexly curved and so spaced from said focal point and disposed in such predetermined mean offset angular relation with reference to said central axis as to jointly simultaneously face corresponding parts of said hollow conically shaped object field and focus the substantially parallel light being received from said corresponding parts respectively at said focal point, the width of said hollow conically shaped object field measured between the inner and outer edges thereof being of small predetermined angular value, and the size of said layer of photosensitive material being predetermined so as to receive substantially all of said focused light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 182 words
A light-collecting and detecting system for simultaneously monitoring changes in light intensities in all parts of a hollow conically shaped object field extending outwardly from said system, said system comprising a lens having a first annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis through said lens, a second surface formed on said lens in spaced relation to said first surface, said second surface being a plane surface in transverse relation to said central axis and intersecting said axis substantially at a preselected focal point thereon, and a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size upon said second surface and in concentric relation to said central axis, said first refracting surface, in all radial sections of said lens being so convexly aspherically curved and so spaced from said focal point and disposed in such predetermined mean offset angular relation with reference to said central axis as to jointly simultaneously face corresponding parts of said hollow conically shaped object field and focus the substantially parallel light being received from said corresponding parts respectively at said focal point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 182 words
A light-collecting and detecting system for simultaneously monitoring changes in light intensities in all parts of a hollow conically shaped object field extending outwardly from said system, said system comprising a lens having a first annularly shaped toric refracting surface formed thereon in concentric relation to a central axis through said lens, a second surface formed on said lens in spaced relation to said first surface, said second surface being a plane surface in transverse relation to said central axis and intersecting said axis substantially at a preselected focal point thereon, and a layer of photosensitive material of relatively small size upon said second surface and in concentric relation to said central axis, said first refracting surface, in all radial sections of said lens being so convexly aspherically curved and so spaced from said focal point and disposed in such predetermined mean offset angular relation with reference to said central axis as to jointly simultaneously face corresponding parts of said hollow conically shaped object field and focus the substantially parallel light being received from said corresponding parts respectively at said focal point.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2153614A Cited
US2187071A Cited
US2274116A Cited
US2522987A Cited
US2861165A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-01-16 1976-07-17 1977-01-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-01-16 1980-07-17 1981-01-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-01-16 1984-07-17 1985-01-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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