US3758188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image-transmitting optical system
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-06
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-06-06
Abstract
Abstract Optical system for transmitting two-dimensional achromatic images from one location to another location spaced therefrom using a single sheet-like layer, or no more than a few adjacent sheet-like layers, of elongated fiber optical components and light diffraction and image-forming means in conjunction therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 C Koester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/42; G02B27/4205; G02B27/4211; G02B27/4272; G02B27/4277; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An optical system for transmitting a two-dimensional achromatic optical image from an object field to an image field comprising: first and second light-relaying systems; an optical fiber assembly disposed between said light-relaying systems and optically aligned therewith, said assembly having a relatively large number of coherently arrayed optical fibers and a transverse dimension substantially less than the transverse dimension of said object field; said first light-relaying system including lens means focusing upon said object field having its conjugate focus substantially in a plane containing said assembly entrance face, and diffraction means producing a plurality of orders of overlapping wavelengths, said assembly optically aligned to transmit at least three unique said overlapping wavelengths for each point of said optical image; said second light-relaying system focused upon said assembly exit face having diffraction means aligned to arrange each said overlapping Wavelength into said plurality of orders respectively, thereby forming a substantially achromatic optical image in said image field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
An optical system for transmitting a two-dimensional achromatic optical image from an object field to an image field comprising: first and second light-relaying systems; an optical fiber assembly disposed between said light-relaying systems and optically aligned therewith, said assembly having a relatively large number of coherently arrayed optical fibers and a transverse dimension substantially less than the transverse dimension of said object field; said first light-relaying system including lens means focusing upon said object field having its conjugate focus substantially in a plane containing said assembly entrance face, and diffraction means producing a plurality of orders of overlapping wavelengths, said assembly optically aligned to transmit at least three unique said overlapping wavelengths for each point of said optical image; said second light-relaying system focused upon said assembly exit face having diffraction means aligned to arrange each said overlapping Wavelength into said plurality of orders respectively, thereby forming a substantially achromatic optical image in said image field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said assembly is formed by an array of single fibers in side-by-side relation so as to form a substantially line shape at said entrance and exit faces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical system of claim 2 wherein said assembly is formed by a plurality of layers of optical fibers in abutting relationship so as to form rectangular shapes at said entrance and exit faces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said assembly is formed by a plurality of multifibers disposed in side-by-side relation so as to form substantially rectangular shapes at said entrance and exit faces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said first and second light-relaying means include prisms having a selected angle of deviation so as to provide a substantially in-line optical system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said assembly transmits at least five unique overlapping wavelengths for each image point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical system of claim 6 wherein said diffraction means are blazed diffraction gratings so as to increase the amount of light contained in the transmitted overlapping wavelengths.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein the diffraction means includes diffraction gratings having spacings at least approximately 8.25 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical system of claim 8 including optically aligned lens means for apparently increasing the object field of the system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The optical system of claim 8 wherein said lens means includes first and second lenses focused on said object field and having a conjugate focus at said entrance face, and said second light-relaying means includes a first and second lens focused on said exit face and having a conjugate focus in said image field.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3191487A
Cited
US3471214A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |