US3737667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optical viewing device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-08-18
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An image intensifier tube and power supply elements are rigidly mounted and axially disposed within a housing to form an integral unit. The image intensifier includes a photocathode at one end, emitting electrons is response to light radiation, an intermediate electron multiplier, and a display screen at the other end displaying an image in response to electron impingement thereon. A detachable adjustable focus objective lens mounted at one end of the housing directs light from a source onto the photocathode and a detachable adjustable viewing lens mounted at the other end of the housing provides a view of the image on the display screen. The structure for mounting the objective lens is pre-collimated with the housing and image intensifier to permit interchangeability of lenses. A focus adjustment is provided between two selective positions of the objective lens. Critical collimation requirements can be readily obtained to facilitate use of a binocular arrangement. The mounting structure may also include an adjustable collimating means to provide axial alignment between the objective lens, image intensifier and viewing lens assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 B Babb
- 👤 E Byer
- 👤 G Giffin
- 👤 R Rife
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/50; H01J31/506; G; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B13/16; G02B23/00; G02B23/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
An electro-optical viewing device comprising: a housing; image intensifier means axially disposed and rigidly mounted in said housing; power supply means for said image intensifier means rigidly mounted in said housing adjacent said image intensifier means; said housing, image intensifier means and power supply means forming a rigid integral unit providing an optical collimation reference and support structure; said image intensifier means including a photocathode positioned at one end emitting electrons in response to light radiation thereon, an intermediate electron multiplier, and a display screen positioned at the other end displaying an image in response to electron impingement thereon; first optical means including adjustable focusing means detachably and rotatably secured on said housing for directing and focusing light radiation from a source onto said photocathode; mounting means poSitioned at said one end of said housing for securing said first optical means thereto, said mounting means and first optical means being optically aligned with respect to said integral unit collimation reference; and second adjustable focus optical means detachably mounted on said housing at said other end for viewing said image on said display screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
An electro-optical viewing device comprising: a housing; image intensifier means axially disposed and rigidly mounted in said housing; power supply means for said image intensifier means rigidly mounted in said housing adjacent said image intensifier means; said housing, image intensifier means and power supply means forming a rigid integral unit providing an optical collimation reference and support structure; said image intensifier means including a photocathode positioned at one end emitting electrons in response to light radiation thereon, an intermediate electron multiplier, and a display screen positioned at the other end displaying an image in response to electron impingement thereon; first optical means including adjustable focusing means detachably and rotatably secured on said housing for directing and focusing light radiation from a source onto said photocathode; mounting means poSitioned at said one end of said housing for securing said first optical means thereto, said mounting means and first optical means being optically aligned with respect to said integral unit collimation reference; and second adjustable focus optical means detachably mounted on said housing at said other end for viewing said image on said display screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes adjustable collimating means for axially aligning said first optical means with said image intensifier means and said second optical means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first optical means includes an objective lens assembly, said mounting means being pre-collimated with respect to said integral housing and image intensifier to interchangeably accommodate a plurality of like objective lens assemblies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first optical means includes an objective lens assembly, and said mounting means includes means for establishing two selective fixed focus positions, and means for adjusting the focus of said objective lens between said two positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said second optical means includes a viewing lens assembly in adjustable threaded engagement with said housing, said housing being adapted to accommodate a plurality of interchangeable viewing lenses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said focus adjusting means includes a collar fixedly secured to said housing and a focus adjustment ring rotatably engaging said collar and fixedly secured to said objective lens assembly, said ring and objective lens assembly being rotatable between said two selective fixed positions, and means for locating and holding said ring in said positions, said ring including means for threadably engaging said objective lens assembly to provide a fine focus adjustment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said image intensifier includes a planar fiber optic faceplate disposed adjacent said objective lens assembly and having said photocathode on an inner surface of said faceplate, said electron multiplier including an intermediate micro-channel plate, and a fiber optic display screen disposed adjacent said viewing lens assembly and having a phosphor coating on an inner surface of said display screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said image intensifier means is disposed in a sealed evacuated enclosure, said power supply means surrounding a portion of said enclosure, said enclosure and power supply means being embedded in a hardened epoxy resin within said housing to form an integral unit therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 8 including support means for mounting two like electro-optical viewing devices adjacent one another to form a binocular viewing device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 9 including a source of direct voltage secured on said support means and connected to said power supply means of each of said electro-optical viewing devices.
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) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |