Patent US5327283A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5327283A
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Endoscope optical system
Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
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Filing: 1993-04-21
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Granted: 1994-07-05
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Expires: 2013-04-21
Abstract
Abstract The endoscope optical system has an objective with an object-side negative lens cluster, the constructional design of which should minimise or exclude image scale defects, such as distortion and field curvature. The object-side negative lens cluster comprises two menisci each having negative refractive power. The individual defects of distortion occurring at the surfaces are reduced as a result of the meniscus-like design, and a flattened image field, that is prevention of field curvature, is achieved as a result of splitting the lens cluster into two menisci. The object-side meniscus may be designed as a single lens or as a cemented component comprising an outer lens and an inner lens. Since the distortion defect at the cement surface has a negative sign, the defects are thus partially compensated at the outer surfaces of the meniscus.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurgen Zobel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407; G02B23/2423; G02B23/243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
Endoscope optical system, in which the object-side part of the objective is a negative lens cluster, wherein the lens cluster comprises two menisci each having negative refractive power, wherein the object-side meniscus Lx and the image-side meniscus Ly lie on the same axis, and wherein the following relationships apply for the refractive index n and the Abbe number v of the menisci: n(Lx)<n(Ly) v(Lx)>v(Ly)
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
Endoscope optical system, in which the object-side part of the objective is a negative lens cluster, wherein the lens cluster comprises two menisci each having negative refractive power, wherein the object-side meniscus Lx and the image-side meniscus Ly lie on the same axis, and wherein the following relationships apply for the refractive index n and the Abbe number v of the menisci: n(Lx)<n(Ly) v(Lx)>v(Ly)
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
Endoscope optical system according to claim 1, wherein the object-side meniscus Lx is designed as a cemented component comprising an outer lens L1 and an inner lens L2 which lie on the same axis as a lens L3 forming the image-side meniscus Ly, and wherein the following relationships apply for the refractive index n and the Abbe number v of the lenses L1, L2 and L3: n(L2)<n(L1) n(L2)<n(L3) v(L2)>v(L1) v(L2)>v(L3)
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Endoscope optical system according to claim 1, wherein the lens forming the image-side meniscus Ly is designed as an aspherical lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Endoscope optical system according to claim 1, wherein both menisci are cemented into a common holder and form a constructional unit with this holder which is aligned with optical components following on the image side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Endoscope optical system according to claim 4, wherein the image-side meniscus is cemented into the holder without backlash, and wherein the object-side meniscus is cemented into the holder to run true, aligned with the image-side meniscus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Endoscope optical system according to claim 4, wherein the holder has, as an aperture stop, an edge at least partially overlapping the object-side meniscus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Endoscope optical system according to claim 1, wherein a stop cap is cemented on the object-side meniscus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
Endoscope optical system having an objective with an object-side part that is a negative lens cluster, the lens cluster comprising an object-side meniscus Lx and an image-side meniscus Ly which each have negative refractive power, the image-side meniscus Ly being formed by a lens L3 and the object-side meniscus Lx being a cemented component comprising an outer lens L1 and an inner lens L2 which lie on a common axis with the lens L3, the lenses L1, L2 and L3 having a refractive index n and an Abbe number v which follow the following relationships: n(L2)<n(L1) n(L2)<n(L3) v(L2)>v(L1) v(L2)>v(L3)
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
Endoscope optical system having an objective with an object-side part that is a negative lens cluster, the lens cluster comprising an object-side meniscus Lx and an image-side meniscus Ly which each have negative refractive power, the image-side meniscus Ly being formed by a lens L3 and the object-side meniscus Lx being a cemented component comprising an outer lens L1 and an inner lens L2 which lie on a common axis with the lens L3, the lenses L1, L2 and L3 having a refractive index n and an Abbe number v which follow the following relationships: n(L2)<n(L1) n(L2)<n(L3) v(L2)>v(L1) v(L2)>v(L3)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-04 | 1998-01-03 | 1998-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-04 | 2002-01-03 | 2002-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-01-03 | 2006-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |