US3827059A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Catoptric lens arrangement
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1972-07-03
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract Catoptric lens arrangements for combining energy from a number of sources, as light energy from a number of lasers, are shown. The disclosed arrangements include mirrors with reflecting surfaces having focal points spaced from a common axis of symmetry. With such reflecting surfaces (generated by nutating selected quadratic sections about the axis of symmetry), energy from a number of lasers may be focused at a focal point of the reflecting surface of an exit mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 W Rambauske
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:31
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B17/00; G02B17/02; G02B17/06; G02B17/0605; G02B17/0621; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A catoptric lens arrangement having a first and a second lens element disposed along a lens axis, such arrangement being adapted to combine, on a cylindrical surface adjacent to the lens axis, optical energy from each one of a plurality of sources and comprising: a. an entrance mirror having a reflecting surface corresponding to the surface described by moving a portion of a first selected quadratic conic section about the lens axis, a focal point of such conic surface tracing a first focal circle spaced from the lens axis; b. an exit mirror having a reflecting surface corresponding to the surface described by a portion of a second selected quadratic conic section having a pair of focal points nutated about the lens axis, one of such focal points tracing a second focal circle having a radius equal to the radius of the first focal circle and the other one tracing a final focal circle having a radius approximately equal to the radius of the cylindrical surface; and c. means for mounting the entrance mirror and the exit mirror to make the first and the second focal circles coincident.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A catoptric lens arrangement having a first and a second lens element disposed along a lens axis, such arrangement being adapted to combine, on a cylindrical surface adjacent to the lens axis, optical energy from each one of a plurality of sources and comprising: a. an entrance mirror having a reflecting surface corresponding to the surface described by moving a portion of a first selected quadratic conic section about the lens axis, a focal point of such conic surface tracing a first focal circle spaced from the lens axis; b. an exit mirror having a reflecting surface corresponding to the surface described by a portion of a second selected quadratic conic section having a pair of focal points nutated about the lens axis, one of such focal points tracing a second focal circle having a radius equal to the radius of the first focal circle and the other one tracing a final focal circle having a radius approximately equal to the radius of the cylindrical surface; and c. means for mounting the entrance mirror and the exit mirror to make the first and the second focal circles coincident.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catoptric lens arrangement as in claim 1 wherein the first selected quadratic conic section is a parabola.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A catoptric lens arrangement as in claim 1 wherein the first selected quadratic conic section is a hyperbola.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A catoptric lens arrangement as in claim 1 wherein the first selected quadratic section is a first ellipse, one focal point thereof tracing the first focal circle and the second focal point thereof being a point on the lens axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A catoptric lens arrangement as in claim 1 wherein the first selected quadratic section is an ellipse nutated around the lens axis, the focal points of such ellipse tracing focal circles around the lens axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catoptric lens arrangement as in claim 4 wherein the second selected quadratic conic section is a second ellipse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
171 words
A catoptric lens arrangement for combining, at a region adjacent to a lens axis, optical energy from different sets of lasers, such arrangement comprising: a. a zoned entrance mirror having a first and a second convex reflecting surface, respectively, to the surface described by moving a portion of a different quadratic conic surface about the lens axis, a focal point of each such conic surface tracing a circle about the lens; b. a zoned exit mirror having a first and a second concave reflecting surface, corresponding, respectively, to a portion of the surface described by a first and a second ellipse nutated around the lens axis, one focal point of each such ellipse tracing a focal circle corresponding to one of the focal circles of the zoned entrance mirror and the second focal point of each such ellipse tracing a common focal circle about the lens axis adjacent to the region; and c. means for mounting the zoned entrance mirror and the zoned exit mirror to render the focal circles coincident.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A catoptric lens arrangement for combining, at a region adjacent to a lens axis, optical energy from different sets of lasers, such arrangement comprising: a. a zoned entrance mirror having a first and a second convex reflecting surface, respectively, to the surface described by moving a portion of a different quadratic conic surface about the lens axis, a focal point of each such conic surface tracing a circle about the lens; b. a zoned exit mirror having a first and a second concave reflecting surface, corresponding, respectively, to a portion of the surface described by a first and a second ellipse nutated around the lens axis, one focal point of each such ellipse tracing a focal circle corresponding to one of the focal circles of the zoned entrance mirror and the second focal point of each such ellipse tracing a common focal circle about the lens axis adjacent to the region; and c. means for mounting the zoned entrance mirror and the zoned exit mirror to render the focal circles coincident.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catoptric lens arrangement as in claim 7 wherein the quadratic conic sections of the zoned entrance mirror are parabolas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catoptric lens arrangement as in claim 7 wherein the quadratic conic sections of the zoned entrance mirror are ellipses.
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) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |