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US4466706A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical fluid lens

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-03-10
•
Granted: 1984-08-21
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Expires: 2002-03-10
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Abstract

Abstract A lens particularly for applications requiring a large lens eliminates costly grinding and polishing operations. The lens embodies an adjustable chamber containing an optical fluid which can be pressurized in varying degrees by altering the size of the chamber. Resilient optical diaphragms at the ends of the chamber have their curvatures changed responsive to changes in the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to produce a lens of fixed or variable focal length.

Inventors

  • 👤 II Frederick H. Lamothe

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-10 02:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/12; G02B3/14

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 85 words
An optical lens comprising a pair of telescopically interfitting threaded sleeves adapted for relative movement axially in response to turning, a pair of resilient optical diaphragm elements secured to and closing the outer ends of said sleeves and defining therewith a closed variable chamber, and an optical fluid filling said chamber between said diaphragm elements and being pressurized in varying degrees by adjustments of said sleeves and the pressure of said fluid acting directly on said diaphragm elements to impart thereto varying degrees of curvature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 85 words
An optical lens comprising a pair of telescopically interfitting threaded sleeves adapted for relative movement axially in response to turning, a pair of resilient optical diaphragm elements secured to and closing the outer ends of said sleeves and defining therewith a closed variable chamber, and an optical fluid filling said chamber between said diaphragm elements and being pressurized in varying degrees by adjustments of said sleeves and the pressure of said fluid acting directly on said diaphragm elements to impart thereto varying degrees of curvature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 1, and means to releasably lock said sleeves securely in selected axially adjusted positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 2, and said diaphragm elements comprising resilient optical plastics discs sealed in the outer ends of said sleeves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 60 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 1, and an intermediate resilient optical diaphragm element between said pair and defining therewith a pair of separated pressurized fluid-filled chambers having different pressures, whereby the curvature of one end diaphragm element can be changed relative to the curvatures of the other two diaphragm elements whose latter curvatures are of the same degree.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 4, and an intermediate threaded sleeve between and threadedly engaging said pair of sleeves, and the intermediate diaphragm element being secured to the intermediate sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 1, and a fluid filling port and closure means on one of said threaded sleeves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 1, and turning lug means on one of said sleeves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 1, and said diaphragm elements when responding to fluid pressure bulging axially outwardly in opposite directions at the opposite ends of said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 80 words
An optical lens comprising a pair of interfitting sleeves adapted for relative movement axially, a pair of resilient optical diaphragm elements secured to and closing the outer ends of said sleeves and defining therewith a closed variable volume chamber, and an optical fluid filling said chamber between said diaphragm elements and being pressurized in varying degrees by axial adjustments of said sleeves, and the pressure of said fluid acting on said diaphragm elements to impart thereto varying degrees of curvature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 80 words
An optical lens comprising a pair of interfitting sleeves adapted for relative movement axially, a pair of resilient optical diaphragm elements secured to and closing the outer ends of said sleeves and defining therewith a closed variable volume chamber, and an optical fluid filling said chamber between said diaphragm elements and being pressurized in varying degrees by axial adjustments of said sleeves, and the pressure of said fluid acting on said diaphragm elements to impart thereto varying degrees of curvature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 49 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 9, and an intermediate resilient optical diaphragm element between said pair and defining therewith separated pressurized fluid-filled chambers of different pressures, whereby the curvature of one end diaphragm element can be changed relative to the curvatures of the other two diaphragm elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 35 words
An optical lens as defined in claim 10, and an intermediate sleeve interfitting with said pair of sleeves and being adjustable axially relative thereto, and said intermediate diaphragm element being secured to the intermediate sleeve.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2300251A Cited
US2592222A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-08-21 1988-02-20 1988-08-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-08-21 1992-02-20 1992-08-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-08-21 1996-02-20 1996-08-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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