US4475796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Epidark illumination system
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-05
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Granted: 1984-10-09
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Expires: 2002-03-05
Abstract
Abstract An Epidark illumination system wherein an optical member for forming the image of a light source is provided in a dark field light path to illuminate a sample with the light from the image of the light source in order to be able to make a uniform bright illumination with a simple formation. The optical member can be any of a ring-shaped convex lens or concave lens, a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of convex lenses or concave lenses in the same plane, a compound cylindrical lens made by concentrically circularly arranging cylindrical lenses, a radial lens and a multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of concentric ring-shaped lenses so that the surfaces of the lenses may be higher in turn outward from the center. Further, a light collecting lens or a light collecting mirror may be arranged in the dark field light path.
Inventors
- 👤 Tadashi Kimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/06; G02B21/08; G02B21/082; G02B21/084; G02B21/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of convex lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of convex lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, wherein said sleeve has a reflecting surface, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of convex lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, wherein said sleeve has a reflecting surface, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of convex lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 2 wherein said reflecting surface is a converging curved surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 2 wherein said reflecting surface is a diverging curved surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 2 further comprising a ring-shaped light collecting lens to collect light pencils passed by said ring-shaped multi-element lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
An epidark illuminating system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of concave lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
An epidark illuminating system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of concave lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, wherein said sleeve has a reflecting surface, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of concave lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, wherein said sleeve has a reflecting surface, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a ring-shaped multi-element lens made by arranging a plurality of concave lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 7 wherein said reflecting surface is a converging curved surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 7 wherein said reflecting surface is a diverging curved surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 7 further comprising a ring-shaped light collecting lens to collect light pencils passed by said ring-shaped multi-element lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a compound cylindrical lens made by concentrically circularly arranging a plurality of cylindrical lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a compound cylindrical lens made by concentrically circularly arranging a plurality of cylindrical lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, wherein said sleeve has a reflecting surface, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a compound cylindrical lens made by concentrically circularly arranging a plurality of cylindrical lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, wherein said sleeve has a reflecting surface, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a compound cylindrical lens made by concentrically circularly arranging a plurality of cylindrical lenses in different planes with each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 12 wherein said reflecting surface is a converging curved surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 12 wherein said reflecting surface is a diverging curved surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 12 further comprising a ring-shaped light collecting lens to collect light pencils passed by said compound cylindrical lens.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a radial lens made by radially arranging a plurality of lens elements in different planes with each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
85 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a radial lens made by radially arranging a plurality of lens elements in different planes with each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, wherein said sleeve has a reflecting surface, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a radial lens made by radially arranging a plurality of lens elements in different planes with each other.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
An epidark illumination system comprising an objective lens, a sleeve supporting therein said objective lens so as to be able to lead the light from a light source onto a sample through a space formed between said sleeve and objective lens, wherein said sleeve has a reflecting surface, and an image forming member arranged in said space to form the image of said light source within said sleeve, wherein said image forming member is a radial lens made by radially arranging a plurality of lens elements in different planes with each other.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An epidark ollumination system according to claim 17 wherein said reflecting surface is a converging curved surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 17 wherein said reflecting surface is a diverging curved surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
An epidark illumination system according to claim 17 further comprising a ring-shaped light collecting lens to collect light pencils passed by said radial lens.
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) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-04-09 | 1988-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-09 | 1992-04-09 | 1992-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-09 | 1996-04-09 | 1996-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |