US5002347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stepped thickness spectral filter for focal plane flattening
Assignee: General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc
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Filing: 1989-08-25
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Granted: 1991-03-26
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Expires: 2009-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A spectral filter for use in optical systems receiving field-of-view (FOV) optical beams at differing angles refracts all FOV beams onto a single plane focal surface. The spectral filter comprises a combination of lens having varied thicknesses incorporated into a single filter unit. Each thickness, or step, of the spectral filter corresponds to a different one of the received FOV beams.
Inventors
- 👤 Neal R. Anderson
- 👤 James C. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/12; F; F21; F21V; F21V9/00; F21V9/06; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G01J1/00; G01J1/42; G01J1/44; G01J2001/4446; G01J2001/448
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A stepped spectral filter for focal plane flattening wherein the spectral filter is an element of an optical system for receiving conical field-of-view (FOV) beams, each beam having different intersecting angles to the optical system, the optical system comprising an optical lens and a plurality of annular-ring-detector-arrays oriented in a single plane parallel to the spectral filter, the spectral filter comprises: first spectral filter means for refracting a first FOV beam received from the optical lens to a first of the plurality of annular-ring-detector-arrays; second spectral filter means for refracting a second FOV beam received from the optical lens to a second of the plurality of annular-ring-detector-arrays; and said second spectral filter means fixedly secured to said first spectral filter means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A stepped spectral filter for focal plane flattening wherein the spectral filter is an element of an optical system for receiving conical field-of-view (FOV) beams, each beam having different intersecting angles to the optical system, the optical system comprising an optical lens and a plurality of annular-ring-detector-arrays oriented in a single plane parallel to the spectral filter, the spectral filter comprises: first spectral filter means for refracting a first FOV beam received from the optical lens to a first of the plurality of annular-ring-detector-arrays; second spectral filter means for refracting a second FOV beam received from the optical lens to a second of the plurality of annular-ring-detector-arrays; and said second spectral filter means fixedly secured to said first spectral filter means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stepped spectral filter according to claim 1 wherein said first spectral filter means comprises an optical lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stepped spectral filter according to claim 1 wherein said second spectral filter means comprises an optical lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A stepped spectral filter according to claim 1 wherein said first spectral filter means comprises an optical lens and said second spectral filter means comprises an optical lens, said optical lens of said first spectral filter means having a different thickness than said optical lens of said second spectral filter means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A stepped spectral filter for orienting the focal surfaces of multiple field-of-view (FOV) beams received by an optical system onto a single plane wherein the spectral filter comprises: first spectral filter means for refracting to the single plane a first received FOV beam having a first angle of intersection with respect to the optical system; second spectral filter means for refracting to the single plane a second received FOV beam having a second angle of intersection with respect to the optical system; and said second spectral filter means fixedly secured to said first spectral filter means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A stepped spectral filter for orienting the focal surfaces of multiple field-of-view (FOV) beams received by an optical system onto a single plane wherein the spectral filter comprises: first spectral filter means for refracting to the single plane a first received FOV beam having a first angle of intersection with respect to the optical system; second spectral filter means for refracting to the single plane a second received FOV beam having a second angle of intersection with respect to the optical system; and said second spectral filter means fixedly secured to said first spectral filter means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stepped spectral filter according to claim 5 wherein said first spectral filter means comprises an optical lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stepped spectral filter according to claim 5 wherein said second spectral filter means comprises and optical lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A stepped spectral filter according to claim 5 wherein said first spectral filter means comprises an optical lens and said second spectral filter means comprises an optical lens, said optical lens of said first spectral filter means having a different thickness than said optical lens of said second spectral filter 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) | 1994-03-25 | 1994-09-24 | 1995-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-25 | 1998-09-24 | 1999-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-25 | 2002-09-24 | 2003-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |