Non-polarizing image rotation apparatus and method
AssigneeLitton Systems, Inc.
InventorWilliam G. McKinley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical system and method for rotating an image of an object is disclosed. The device consists of a plurality of optical surfaces for either reflecting or refracting the light along an optical path through the device. The optical surfaces divide the optical path into optical path segments which intersect at predetermined angles. These angles are selected to minimize polarization of the output light. The optical path segments lie in more than one plane.
Claims23
An optical system for rotating an image of an object comprising:
- an entrance aperture for admitting light into the system along an optical axis of the system, said light entering along an optical path and following the optical path through the system;
- an exit aperture for allowing the light to exit the system along the optical axis of the system and the optical path, the system being rotatable about the optical axis of the system;
- and
- a plurality of optical surfaces for dividing the optical path into a plurality of optical path segments, each of said segments being along an optical path segment axis, two of said optical path segment axes defining a plane and at least a third optical path segment axis being outside the plane.
An optical image rotating device comprising:
- an entrance aperture for admitting light from an object into the device along an optical path, said light following the optical path through the device;
- an exit aperture for allowing the light to exit the device along the optical path;
- at least five mirrors supported in a base for dividing the optical path into a plurality of optical path segments, each of said segments being along an optical path segment axis, two of said optical path segment axes defining a plane and at least a third optical path segment axis being outside the plane, and
- means for rotating the base about an optical axis of the system to rotate the image.
A method of rotating an image of an object with an optical system comprising:
- allowing light from the object to enter the system through an entrance aperture along an optical path, said light following the optical path through the system;
- allowing the light to exit the system through an exit aperture along the optical path;
- altering the optical path by dividing the optical path into a plurality of optical path segments, each of said segments being along an optical path segment axis, two of said optical path segment axes defining a plane and at least a third optical path segment axis being outside the plane;
- and
- rotating the optical system to rotate the image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.