US 9,285,511 B2Granted

Variable power optical system

AssigneeBlackeye Optics, LLC.

InventorsJames H. Jannard, Iain A. Neil

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Liquid lens cells are used in a compound variable power optical system that forms an intermediate image between the object and the final image. A first variable power optical component is located between the object and an intermediate real image. The first variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the intermediate real image. A second variable power optical component is located between the intermediate real image and the final image. The second variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the final image. At least one of the first and second variable power optical components is stationary on the optical axis and comprises at least two liquids with different refractive properties and at least one variable shape contact surface between the two liquids, with variations in the shape of the contact surface producing a change of optical power in the optical system.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A variable power optical system configured to form a final image of an object, the variable power optical system comprising:

an objective lens group on a common optical axis, the objective lens group configured to form an intermediate real image on an image side of the objective lens group, the objective lens group comprising at least one liquid lens cell with at least two liquids with different refractive properties and at least one variable shape contact surface between the two liquids, with variations in the shape of the contact surface producing a change of optical power in the objective lens group and a change in a magnification of the intermediate real image;
an axially stationary positively powered lens group positioned along the common optical axis on an image side of the intermediate real image;
and
a relay lens group positioned along the common optical axis on an image side of the axially stationary positively powered lens group, the relay lens group comprising at least one liquid lens cell having at least two liquids with different refractive properties and at least one variable shape contact surface between the two liquids, with variations in the shape of the contact surface producing a change of optical power in the relay lens group and a change in a magnification of the final image;
and
an axially movable lens group positioned along the common optical axis between the relay lens group and the final image,
wherein the final image height above the optical axis is larger than the heights of rim rays above the optical axis at the liquid lens cell variable surface in the objective lens group and the relay lens group.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/165,172Filed 27 Jan 2014 · continuation
Priority: 10 Apr 2009
Published: US 2014/0285883 A125 Sep 2014
Granted: 15 Mar 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

G02B 3/14
Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses: of variable focal length
G02B 15/00
Optical objectives with means for varying the magnification
G02B
Optical elements, systems or apparatus

Family

Application61/168,523Us provisional application · filed 10 Apr 2009
Application12/753,639Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Apr 2010
US 2014/0285883 A1Pre-grant publication · published 25 Sep 2014
US 8,638,496 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2010/0259817 A1Published application
US 9,285,511 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.