Variable focus lens by small changes of the equatorial lens diameter
AssigneePC Lens Corp
InventorRonald A. Schachar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
A method to alter the optical power of a deformable lens, said deformable lens having a body with a periphery surrounding an optical axis thereof, said method comprising the step of expanding said periphery in a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the optical axis to (i) increase the optical power of said body to a limit, and (ii) decrease the optical power of said body beyond the limit.
A method to alter the optical power of a deformable lens, said deformable lens having a body with a periphery surrounding an optical axis thereof, said method comprising the step of relaxing said periphery in a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the optical axis to (i) increase the optical power of said body to a limit, and (ii) decrease the optical power of said body below the limit.
An optical system comprising a variable focus lens having a deformable lens, said deformable lens having a body with a periphery surrounding an optical axis thereof, and means for expanding said periphery in a plane oriented generally perpendicular to the optical axis to (i) increase the optical power of said body to a limit, and (ii) decrease the optical power of said body beyond the limit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.