US4854688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical arrangement
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1988-04-14
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Granted: 1989-08-08
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Expires: 2008-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A compact optical arrangement for transfer of large field of view images to the pupil of a viewer, said optical arrangement including a cooperative collimator/combiner and ball lens, wherein the ball lens is positioned at the location of the image of said pupil formed by said collimator/combiner.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Hayford
- 👤 Donald G. Koch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/0172; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
An optical arrangement with a folded optical path, said optical arrangement comprising: means for producing an intermediate image at a selected location along said optical path, and means for folding said optical path at said selected location, said means for folding comprising a reflective flat surface and a spherical lens surface substantially centered about said selected location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical arrangement with a folded optical path, said optical arrangement comprising: means for producing an intermediate image at a selected location along said optical path, and means for folding said optical path at said selected location, said means for folding comprising a reflective flat surface and a spherical lens surface substantially centered about said selected location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The optical arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said means for folding comprises a hemispherical ball lens defining a flat, reflective surface through its center, whereby light rays folded by said means for folding will be transmitted substantially perpendicularly to the spherical surfaces of said ball lens means, thereby improving image quality over the field of view of said optical arrangement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The arrangement of claim 2 wherein said optical arrangement further comprises collimating means for receiving said intermediate image from said ball lens means, said collimating means being effective for projecting said image in collimated fashion in the direction of a viewer's eye so that the image appears as if located at infinity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement of claim 3 wherein said collimating means includes a partly reflecting portion of a sphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arrangement of claim 3 wherein said arrangement further comprises beamsplitter means for reflecting beams of light between said ball lens means and said collimating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The arrangement of claim 5 wherein said beamsplitter means is positioned in the path between the viewer's eye and said collimating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The arrangement of claim 3 wherein said collimating means is tilted from the line of sight between the viewer's eye and the center of said collimating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The arrangement of claim 7 wherein said tilting introduces considerable aberration in the image transferred by said collimating means and wherein said optical arrangement further comprises means for correcting aberration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The arrangement of claim 2 wherein said ball lens means includes meniscus lens means on the spherical surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The arrangement of claim 9 wherein the index of refraction of said ball lens means is low relative to the index of refraction of the meniscus lens means.
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) | 1992-08-07 | 1993-02-06 | 1993-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-07 | 1997-02-06 | 1997-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-07 | 2001-02-06 | 2001-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |