US3741622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable magnification optical system
Assignee: KFT Fire Trainer LLC
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Filing: 1971-08-04
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A variable magnification optical system is disclosed utilizing movable focus devices and movable reflective devices to obtain an extremely wide variation in magnification. A concave mirror and correcting lens is used for image input to the optical system and to correct the Petzval sum of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 A Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
273 words
A variable magnification optical system to transfer an image sequentially between first through fourth spatially fixed optical planes, comprising in combination, means establishing an image on the first plane, first imaging means for transferring an image between the first and second optical planes, said first imaging means establishing a first optical path from the first plane to said first imaging means and a second optical path from said first imaging means to the second plane, second imaging means for transferring an image between the third and fourth optical planes, said second imaging means establishing a third optical path from the third plane to said second imaging means and a fourth optical path from said second imaging means to the fourth plane, means establishing image transfer between the second and third optical planes, a first plurality of reflecting surfaces located in one of said first and second optical paths wherein a first of said surfaces of said first plurality of surfaces is movable, a second plurality of reflecting surfaces located in one of said third and fourth optical paths wherein a first surface of said second plurality of surfaces is movable, the focal length of said first imaging means being related to the focal length of said second imaging means, means for moving said first and second imaging means in unison and in accordance with the relation of the focal lengths of said first and second imaging means, and means for moving said first reflecting surfaces of said first and second plurality of reflecting surfaces in unison and in accordance with the movement of said first and second imaging means, respectively, to vary magnification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
273 words
A variable magnification optical system to transfer an image sequentially between first through fourth spatially fixed optical planes, comprising in combination, means establishing an image on the first plane, first imaging means for transferring an image between the first and second optical planes, said first imaging means establishing a first optical path from the first plane to said first imaging means and a second optical path from said first imaging means to the second plane, second imaging means for transferring an image between the third and fourth optical planes, said second imaging means establishing a third optical path from the third plane to said second imaging means and a fourth optical path from said second imaging means to the fourth plane, means establishing image transfer between the second and third optical planes, a first plurality of reflecting surfaces located in one of said first and second optical paths wherein a first of said surfaces of said first plurality of surfaces is movable, a second plurality of reflecting surfaces located in one of said third and fourth optical paths wherein a first surface of said second plurality of surfaces is movable, the focal length of said first imaging means being related to the focal length of said second imaging means, means for moving said first and second imaging means in unison and in accordance with the relation of the focal lengths of said first and second imaging means, and means for moving said first reflecting surfaces of said first and second plurality of reflecting surfaces in unison and in accordance with the movement of said first and second imaging means, respectively, to vary magnification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the maximum magnification between said first and fourth planes is unity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first surface of said first and second plurality of reflecting surfaces moves along a line determined by an incident beam to each respective first reflecting surface, and a second reflecting surface in each of said first and second plurality of reflecting surfaces moves along a line determined by a reflected beam from each respective reflecting surface and wherein said beams are on the optical axis of the optical system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second optical plane is coincident with said third optical plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for moving said first and second imaging means changes the length of said at least one of said first and second optical paths by an amount X1 f1 (1-(1/m1)), in which f1 is said focal length of said first imaging means and m1 is a first magnification from said first optical plane to said second optical plane and changes the length of said at least one of said third and fourth optical paths by an amount X2 f2 (1-(1/m2)), in which f2 is said focal length of said second imaging means and m2 is a second magnification from said third optical plane to said fourth optical plane, and said means for moving said first reflecting surfaces of said first and second plurality changes the length of said one of said first and second optical paths by an amount 2Y1 f1 (m1 -(1/m1) - 2) and changes the length of said one of said third and fourth optical paths by an amount 2Y2 f2 ( m2-(1/m2)-2).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said focal length of said first imaging means is equal to said focal length of said second imaging means, said means for moving said first and second imaging means includes first carrier means mounting said first and second imaging means for identical movement in unison, and said means for moving said first and second plurality of reflecting surfaces includes second carrier means mounting said reflecting surfaces for identical movement in unison.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second imaging means includes lens means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means establishing said image on Said first image plane includes a concave reflecting surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said concave surface is substantially spherical, and including aberration correcting means arranged in a generalized Schmidt system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the combination of said concave surface and said correcting means has a negative Petzval sum which is substantially equal in magnitude to a positive Petzval sum of a combination of refracting surfaces including said first and second imaging means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 9 including means diverting light from said concave reflecting surface to said first optical plane without interference with light to said concave surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A variable magnification optical system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said means diverting light includes offset field lens means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
210 words
A variable magnification optical system to transfer an image between first through fourth optical planes, comprising in combination, means establishing an image on the first plane, first imaging means for transferring an image between the first and second optical planes, said first imaging means establishing a first optical path from the first plane to said first imaging means and a second optical path from said first imaging means to the second plane, second imaging means for transferring an image between the third and fourth optical planes, said second imaging means establishing a third optical path from the third plane to said second imaging means and a fourth optical path from said second imaging means to the fourth plane, means establishing image transfer between the second and third optical planes, the focal lengths of said first and second imaging means being identical, first reflective means which is movable and located in one of said first and second optical paths, second reflective means which is movable and located in one of said third and fourth optical paths, first carrier means for identically moving said first and second imaging means, and second carrier means for identically moving said first and second reflective means in accordance with the movement of said first carrier means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
210 words
A variable magnification optical system to transfer an image between first through fourth optical planes, comprising in combination, means establishing an image on the first plane, first imaging means for transferring an image between the first and second optical planes, said first imaging means establishing a first optical path from the first plane to said first imaging means and a second optical path from said first imaging means to the second plane, second imaging means for transferring an image between the third and fourth optical planes, said second imaging means establishing a third optical path from the third plane to said second imaging means and a fourth optical path from said second imaging means to the fourth plane, means establishing image transfer between the second and third optical planes, the focal lengths of said first and second imaging means being identical, first reflective means which is movable and located in one of said first and second optical paths, second reflective means which is movable and located in one of said third and fourth optical paths, first carrier means for identically moving said first and second imaging means, and second carrier means for identically moving said first and second reflective means in accordance with the movement of said first carrier means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |