Variable focus lens by small changes of the equatorial lens diameter
AssigneeRas Holding Corp
InventorRonald A. Schachar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A variable focus lens is constructed by making small changes in the equatorial diameter of an elastically deformable lens. The lens may be deformed by radial tension exerted in a plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis. The radial tension may be exerted by radially acting mechanical apparatus or by means of rings embedded or attached at the equator of the lens, whose diameter can be altered by heating, or by imposition of electrical or magnetic fields.
Claims19
A method for altering the optical power of a deformable lens body, said deformable lens body having a perihery surrounding an optical axis thereof, said method comprising the steps of:
- expanding said periphery in a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the optical axis to thereby increase the optical power of said lens body;
- and
- relaxing said periphery in a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the optical axis to thereby decrease the optical power of said lens body.
An optical system comprising a variable focus lens having a deformable lens body having a periphery surrounding an optical axis thereof, and expanding means operable to (i) expand said periphery in a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the optical axis to thereby increase the optical power of said deformable lens body, and (ii) relax said periphery in a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the optical axis to thereby decrease the optical power of said deformable lens body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.