US3788730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multielement window
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-29
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A window for separating a protected environment wherein a lens system is located from a high pressure environment, such as deep sea water, without allowing the high pressure differential across the window to change the optical power of the window and defocus the lens system. The window is constructed in a laminar fashion with a thick outer window, a thin inner window and a compensating section located between said inner and outer window sections. The compensationg section is filled with a fluid having the same index of refraction as the fluid of the high pressure environment, and is exposed to the pressure of the protected environment. This arrangement results in the entire pressure differential between the outer environment and the protected environment being placed across the thick outer window section. The fluid in the compensating section accommodates any deformation of the outer window section caused by the high pressure differential. No pressure is exerted across the inner window section which defines the water-air interface between the outer and inner environments. It is this water-air interface which affects the optical power of the window, and accordingly the optical power of the window does not change.
Inventors
- 👤 A Greenleaf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:31
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/08; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/16; G02B23/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
An optical window for separating the interior of a housing from an environment and wherein a pressure differential exists between the pressure in the interior of the housing and the pressure of the environment and without changing the net optical power across the window when the pressure differential is applied across the window, and comprising: a. a housing having an aperture therein and adapted to be surrounded by an environment, there being a pressure differential between the pressure in the interior of said housing and the pressure of the environment, said environment having a given index of refraction; and b. a window fixedly and immovably mounted in said aperture in said housing for allowing a view of the environment, said window including an outer window section, means for fixedly and immovably mounting said outer window section to said housing in said aperture, an inner window section, means for fixedly and immovably mounting said inner window section to said housing in said aperture and a compensating section located between said outer and inner window sections, said compensating section having a fluid located therein and exposed to the pressure within said housing, said fluid having an index of refraction approximately equal to said given index of refraction, whereby only said outer window section will be deformed by the pressure differential across said window, and the interface between the environment and the interior of said housing will not be deformed and result in a change in the net optical power across the window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
An optical window for separating the interior of a housing from an environment and wherein a pressure differential exists between the pressure in the interior of the housing and the pressure of the environment and without changing the net optical power across the window when the pressure differential is applied across the window, and comprising: a. a housing having an aperture therein and adapted to be surrounded by an environment, there being a pressure differential between the pressure in the interior of said housing and the pressure of the environment, said environment having a given index of refraction; and b. a window fixedly and immovably mounted in said aperture in said housing for allowing a view of the environment, said window including an outer window section, means for fixedly and immovably mounting said outer window section to said housing in said aperture, an inner window section, means for fixedly and immovably mounting said inner window section to said housing in said aperture and a compensating section located between said outer and inner window sections, said compensating section having a fluid located therein and exposed to the pressure within said housing, said fluid having an index of refraction approximately equal to said given index of refraction, whereby only said outer window section will be deformed by the pressure differential across said window, and the interface between the environment and the interior of said housing will not be deformed and result in a change in the net optical power across the window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said window is a plane parallel window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said window is a concentric spherical window.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the environment is an environment wherein water at a very high pressure exerts a large pressure differential across said window, and said fluid in said compensating section is water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and including an optical system positioned inside said housing for viewing the environment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said optical system is a lens system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the environment is an environment wherein water at a very high pressure exerts a large pressure differential across said window, and said fluid in said compensating section is water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said window is a plane parallel window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said window is a concentric spherical window.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2256133A
Cited
US3040616A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |