Sunspotter solar telescope
AssigneeLearning Technologies, Inc.
InventorPhilip M Sadler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar telescope is disclosed that facilitates safe observation of the sun with minimal setup, targeting effort or operator skill. The folded solar telescope of the invention includes a friction stabilized telescope support system that is capable of maintaining a specified telescope orientation. The telescope further includes a targeting system that comprises one or more pointing aids to simplify the process of aligning the telescope with the sun so a solar image is projected onto a viewing surface.
Claims19
A folded solar telescope suitable for safely observing an image of the sun, the telescope comprising:
- a folded telescope assembly that comprises an objective lens, at least two light folding devices, a second lens, and a projection surface;
- a telescope frame having an exterior cross-section which is a circle or polygon and in which the telescope assembly is mounted;
- a curved support device wherein the curvature of the curved support device supports the telescope frame and permits adjustment of telescope altitude;
- and
- a translucent screen that is structured and arranged so that an image of the sun projected onto the translucent screen is visible from an opposite face of the screen from the objective lens, the at least two light folding devices, and the second lens, wherein the image is observable from the exterior of the telescope frame.
A folded solar telescope suitable for safely observing an image of the sun, the telescope comprising:
- a folded telescope assembly that comprises two or more light folding devices, wherein the light folding devices are mirrors or prisms;
- a telescope frame having an exterior cross-section which is a circle or polygon and in which the telescope assembly is mounted;
- a curved support device wherein the curvature of the curved support device supports the telescope frame and permits adjustment of telescope altitude;
- and
- a translucent screen that is structured and arranged so that an image projected onto the translucent screen is visible from an opposite face of the screen from the two or more light folding devices, wherein the image is observable from the exterior of the telescope frame.
A folded solar telescope suitable for safely observing an image of the sun, the telescope comprising:
- a folded telescope assembly that comprises an objective lens, at least two light folding devices, a second lens, and a projection surface;
- a telescope frame having an exterior cross-section which is a circle or polygon and in which the telescope assembly is mounted;
- and
- a curved support device wherein the curvature of the curved support device supports the telescope frame and permits adjustment of telescope altitude;
- wherein the at least two light folding devices and second lens are structured and arranged so that the image of the sun is projected on an interior surface of the telescope frame, the interior surface being an opposite face from the at least two light folding devices and the second lens, and where the interior surface is observable from outside the telescope frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.