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US 7,701,643 B2Granted
Fluidic optical devices
OwnerRobert G. Batchko, Justin D. Mansell +2inventors
InventorsRobert G. Batchko, Justin D. Mansell, Andrei Szilagyi, Allen F. Crabtree, IV
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Abstract
A fluidic optical device, systems utilizing fluidic optical devices, methods for manufacturing fluidic optical devices and actuators are disclosed.
Claims44
A method for making a fluidic optical device, comprising the steps of:
- forming a skeleton having an aperture and a reservoir in fluid communication with the aperture, wherein the aperture and reservoir are unitary to the lens skeleton;
- enclosing a transparent fluid within the aperture and reservoir;
- at least partially bounding the aperture with one or more optical surfaces;
- and
- adapting an actuator to apply a force to the reservoir such that application of the force causes a displacement of at least a portion of the fluid between the reservoir and the aperture,
- wherein in response to the fluid displacement at least one of the optical surfaces is displaced from an initial position to vary an optical property of the device,
- and wherein there are sufficient restoring forces in at least a portion of the displaced reservoir, fluid or optical surfaces to restore the displaced optical surface to its initial position upon release of the force applied to the reservoir.
4 more elements
A fluidic optical system including a number of fluidic optical devices wherein the fluidic optical devices are arrayed, and wherein one or more of the fluidic optical device comprises:
- a spacer ring, a first transparent membrane attached to a first face of the spacer ring;
- a second transparent membrane attached to a second face of the spacer ring opposite the first face, whereby an interior volume is enclosed by the spacer ring and the first and second membranes;
- a transparent fluid that fills the interior volume;
- and
- one or more actuators, each actuator having a projection configured to engage one or more of the first or second membrane or spacer ring.
2 more elements
A fluidic optical device, comprising:
- a spacer ring, a first transparent membrane attached to a first face of the spacer ring;
- a second transparent membrane attached to a second face of the spacer ring opposite the first face, whereby an interior volume is enclosed by the spacer ring and the first and second membranes;
- a transparent fluid that fills the interior volume;
- and
- one or more actuators, each actuator having a projection configured to engage one or more of the first or second membranes or the spacer ring.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.