Patent US3756686A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3756686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Servo-integrating stabilizer
Assignee: Optical Research and Development Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-08
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-09-08
Abstract
Abstract In an optic stabilizer having case mounted optic elements and a complementary and movable optical element for stabilizing an image, an apparatus for imparting improved stabilizing motion to the moving optical element is disclosed. The movable optical element, typically a mirror, is mounted for two degrees of motion relative to a neutral position along the optic axis. A variable torque field, typically magnetic, is provided to pass through the optical element and to urge the optical element back to its neutral position. By the expedient of providing a sensor for detecting misaligned positions of the movable optical element and integrating on a time average basis the misaligned position of the movable element, the magnitude and polarity of the variable torque field can be controlled to provide improved stabilizing motion of the movable optical element.
Inventors
- 👤 W Humphrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/64; G02B27/646
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
In an optical stabilizer for observing an object along a light path including: a case about an optic axis; stationary optic elements mounted to said case along said optic axis; a movable optic element mounted to said case in said optic axis, said movable optic element movable responsive to inertial force to move said movable element towards and away from a neutral position with respect to said optic axis responsive to accidental angular motion of said case; said movable optic element upon being moved by said inertial force having an optic effect to produce image motion equal and opposite to image motion caused by accidental angular motion of said optic axis through said case; and means for applying a moving force to said movable optic element relative to said case for causing said movable optic element to return to said neutral position when said case receives ambient accidental angular motion, said means for applying a moving force attached to said case and coupled to said optic element; the improvement in said means for applying a moving force comprising: a sensor for detecting movement of said movable optic element from said neutral position and emitting a signal indicating said movement; means for changing said applied moving force to said movable optic element to complement movement of said movable optic element from said neutral position, said moving means including at least a first control input for increasing and decreasing said moving force applied to said movable optic element; and, control means communicated to said sensor to receive said emitted signal and having an output to the control input of said means for changing at least a portion of said moving force to said movable optic element responsive to said emitted signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
In an optical stabilizer for observing an object along a light path including: a case about an optic axis; stationary optic elements mounted to said case along said optic axis; a movable optic element mounted to said case in said optic axis, said movable optic element movable responsive to inertial force to move said movable element towards and away from a neutral position with respect to said optic axis responsive to accidental angular motion of said case; said movable optic element upon being moved by said inertial force having an optic effect to produce image motion equal and opposite to image motion caused by accidental angular motion of said optic axis through said case; and means for applying a moving force to said movable optic element relative to said case for causing said movable optic element to return to said neutral position when said case receives ambient accidental angular motion, said means for applying a moving force attached to said case and coupled to said optic element; the improvement in said means for applying a moving force comprising: a sensor for detecting movement of said movable optic element from said neutral position and emitting a signal indicating said movement; means for changing said applied moving force to said movable optic element to complement movement of said movable optic element from said neutral position, said moving means including at least a first control input for increasing and decreasing said moving force applied to said movable optic element; and, control means communicated to said sensor to receive said emitted signal and having an output to the control input of said means for changing at least a portion of said moving force to said movable optic element responsive to said emitted signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said control means changes said moving force during the period of time that said emitted signal indicating movement from said neutral position is received from said sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said control means has an output to said control input for changing at least a portion of said moving force proportional to said emitted signal indicating movement from said neutral position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said control means is communicated to said sensor and has an output to said control input for changing at least a portion of said moving force proportionally to the velocity of said movable optic element with respect to said case.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
An optical stabilizer for observing an object along a light path comprising: a case about an optic axis; stationary optic elements mounted to said case along said optic axis; a movable optic element mounted to said case in said optic axis, said movable optic element movable with respect to said optic axis responsive to inertial forces to move said movable element away from a neutral position responsive to accidental angular motion of said case, said movable optic element upon being moved by said inertial forces having an optic effect to produce apparent image motion equal and opposite to image motion caused by ambient accidental vibrations being received at said case and angularly moving said fixed optic elements with respect to said optic axis; and means for providing a force coupling between said case and said movable optic element for urging movement of said movable optic element, said means for providing said coupling including means for adjustably varying at least a portion of the force of said coupling responsive to movement of said movable optic element from said neutral position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
179 words
An optical stabilizer for observing an object along a light path comprising: a case about an optic axis; stationary optic elements mounted to said case along said optic axis; a movable optic element mounted to said case in said optic axis, said movable optic element movable with respect to said optic axis responsive to inertial forces to move said movable element away from a neutral position responsive to accidental angular motion of said case, said movable optic element upon being moved by said inertial forces having an optic effect to produce apparent image motion equal and opposite to image motion caused by ambient accidental vibrations being received at said case and angularly moving said fixed optic elements with respect to said optic axis; and means for providing a force coupling between said case and said movable optic element for urging movement of said movable optic element, said means for providing said coupling including means for adjustably varying at least a portion of the force of said coupling responsive to movement of said movable optic element from said neutral position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 5 and wherein said coupling means includes a magnetic couple including a first permanent magnet and a second variable magnet with one of said magnets being attached to said movable optic element and other of said magnets being attached tO said case.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention of claim 5 and wherein said means for varying the force of said coupling on said movable optic element includes a member for applying a mechanical torque to said movable optic element for urging said movable optic element to said neutral position; and means for angularly realigning said member with respect to said optic axis to change the torque on said member in a predetermined direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 5 and wherein said movable optic element is mounted for angular movement with respect to a point on said optic axis in two degrees of motion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
186 words
An optical stabilizer comprising: a case about an optical axis; at least one stationary optical element mounted to said case along said optical axis; movable optic element mounted to said case on said optic axis and movable responsive to inertial force to move said optic element towards and away from a neutral position on said optic axis, said movable optic element upon being moved by said inertial force having an optic effect to produce image motion equal and opposite to image motion caused by accidental angular motion of said optic axis through said case; and means for returning said movable optic element to said neutral position on said optic axis; said moving means including a couple to said movable optic element between first and second points on either side of said movable optic element, said couple having an input changing the force through said couple; and control means responsive to movement of said movable optic element towards and away from said neutral position communicated to said input for varying the force of said couple responsive to movement of said movable optic element off said neutral position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
186 words
An optical stabilizer comprising: a case about an optical axis; at least one stationary optical element mounted to said case along said optical axis; movable optic element mounted to said case on said optic axis and movable responsive to inertial force to move said optic element towards and away from a neutral position on said optic axis, said movable optic element upon being moved by said inertial force having an optic effect to produce image motion equal and opposite to image motion caused by accidental angular motion of said optic axis through said case; and means for returning said movable optic element to said neutral position on said optic axis; said moving means including a couple to said movable optic element between first and second points on either side of said movable optic element, said couple having an input changing the force through said couple; and control means responsive to movement of said movable optic element towards and away from said neutral position communicated to said input for varying the force of said couple responsive to movement of said movable optic element off said neutral position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention of claim 9 and wherein said couple is magnetic and includes a U-shaped magnetic field conducting core with one end of said U terminating at said first point and the other end of said U terminating at said second point, means for imparting a variable magnetic field to said U shaped magnetic field conducting core; and a permanent magnet attached to said movable optic element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention of claim 9 and wherein said means for imparting a variable magnetic field conducting core includes a gap in said U-shaped magnetic field conducting core; a permanent magnet mounted within said gap of said U-shaped magnetic field conducting core; means for positioning said magnet to preselected orientations within said gap to impart to said magnetic field conducting core a field of varying polarity and intensity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 9 and wherein said couple includes an eleastic member passing between said first and second points and said control means includes apparatus for changing the position of at least one of said points.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
206 words
In an optical stabilizer for observing an object along a light path including: a case about an optic axis; stationary optic elements mounted to said case along said optic axis, a movable optic element mounted to said case along said optic axis; said movable optic element movable responsive to inertial force to move said movable element towards and away from a neutral position with respect to said optic axis responsive to accidental angular motion of said case; said movable optic element upon being moved by said inertial force having optic effect to produce apparent image motion equal and opposite to image motion caused by accidental angular motion of said optic axis through said case; and means for moving said movable optic element relative to said case for causing said movable optic element to return to said neutral position when said case receives ambient accidental angular motion, said means for moving including a detector having an input from said movable optic element; the improvement in said detecting means comprising: a surface on and mounted to said movable optic element; a transducer mounted adjacent said movable optic element for emitting a signal responsive to the relative movement between said sensor and said surface on said movable optic element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
206 words
In an optical stabilizer for observing an object along a light path including: a case about an optic axis; stationary optic elements mounted to said case along said optic axis, a movable optic element mounted to said case along said optic axis; said movable optic element movable responsive to inertial force to move said movable element towards and away from a neutral position with respect to said optic axis responsive to accidental angular motion of said case; said movable optic element upon being moved by said inertial force having optic effect to produce apparent image motion equal and opposite to image motion caused by accidental angular motion of said optic axis through said case; and means for moving said movable optic element relative to said case for causing said movable optic element to return to said neutral position when said case receives ambient accidental angular motion, said means for moving including a detector having an input from said movable optic element; the improvement in said detecting means comprising: a surface on and mounted to said movable optic element; a transducer mounted adjacent said movable optic element for emitting a signal responsive to the relative movement between said sensor and said surface on said movable optic element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 13 and wherein said sensor includes a loaded tank circuit metal detector and said surface includes a metallic surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 13 and wherein said sensor includes a light source, a photodetector and a light path therebetween; and wherein said surface includes a reflective surface disposed in said light path between said light source in said photodetector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
The invention of claim 15 and wherein said sensor includes at least first and second photodetectors; said first and second photodetectors positioned with respect to said light source and said light paths to a position intermediate said light path when said movable optic element is in the neutral position; bridge circuit means connected to said photodetectors for emitting first signal when said light path is intermediate said phtodetectors, emitting a second signal when said light path is more adjacent one photodetector than the other detector and emitting a third signal when said light path is more adjacent the other of said photodetectors than said one photodetector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |