Optical systems and methods of thermally regulating optical systems
AssigneeEvolution Optiks Limited
InventorsRaul MIHALI, Mostafa DARVISHI, Roman Perez GARCIA, Thomas Alberto RODRIGUEZ TORRES
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described are various embodiments of optical systems, methods of thermally regulating optical systems, uses of thermal regulation systems in optical systems and non-transitory computer-readable mediums having computer-executable instructions stored thereon to modulate the thermal regulation systems of optical systems. Embodiments generally include selectively activating an active heat transfer device to transfer heat away from tunable refractive optical element via a thermal transfer chain to favourably maintain the tunable refractive optical element within a designated thermal operating range.
Claims66
An optical system comprising:
- a casing defining an optical channel therethrough;
- a tunable refractive optical element mounted within said casing to apply a tunable refraction along said optical channel, wherein said tunable refractive optical element is favourably operable within a designated thermal operating range;
- and
- a thermal regulation system, comprising:
- an active heat transfer device;
- a thermally conductive element dimensioned to at least partially contact said tunable refractive optical element in thermal coupling therewith;
- and
- a thermal transfer conduit thermally coupled between said active heat transfer device and said thermally conductive element;
- wherein said active heat transfer device is activated to selectively transfer heat from said tunable optical refraction element via said thermally conductive element and said thermal transfer conduit to said active heat transfer device so as to maintain favourable operation of said tunable refractive optical element within said designated thermal operating range.
A method of thermally regulating an optical system having a casing and a tunable refractive optical element mounted within the casing, the tunable refractive optical element being favourably operable within a designated thermal operating range, comprising:
- arranging a thermally conductive element to at least partially thermally contact the tunable refractive optical element;
- arranging an active heat transfer device at a distance from the tunable refractive optical element;
- thermally coupling a thermal transfer conduit between said active heat transfer device and said thermally conductive element;
- and
- automating selective activation said active heat transfer device to transfer heat from said tunable optical refraction element via said thermally conductive element and said thermal transfer conduit to said active heat transfer device to maintain favourable operation of said tunable refractive optical element within said designated thermal operating range.
Use of a thermal regulation system in an optical system to selectively transfer heat from a tunable refractive optical element mounted within a casing to an active heat transfer device to maintain favourable operation of said tunable refractive optical element within a designated thermal operating range.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon to modulate a thermal regulation system of an optical system, whereby the instructions, upon implementation by a digital data processor, selectively activate an active heat transfer device to transfer heat from a tunable optical refraction element mounted within a casing of the optical system to a thermally conductive element arranged in thermal contact therewith, to a thermal transfer conduit in thermal coupling therewith, to said active heat transfer device, so as to maintain favourable operation of said tunable refractive optical element within a designated thermal operating range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.