VARIABLE POWER OPTICAL SYSTEM

• US 20100259817A1
• Filed: 04/02/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Blackeye Optics, LLC
• Inventors: JANNARD, JAMES H., NEIL, IAIN A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,638,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/432
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/00 Optical objectives with means for varying the magnification anamorphotic objectives G02B13/08
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length

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.

Claims

1. A variable power optical system on a common optical axis for forming a final image of an object, said system having an object side and an image side and at least one intermediate real image between the object and the final image, said system comprising:

at least a first variable power optical component located between the object and an intermediate real image, wherein the first variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the intermediate real image; and

at least a second variable power optical component located between the intermediate real image and a final image, wherein the second variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the final image;

wherein 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.

2. The variable power optical system of claim 1, wherein variation of the first and second variable power optical components provides zooming.

3. The variable power optical system of claim 2, wherein variation of the first and second variable power optical components provides focusing.

4. The variable power optical system of claim 2, wherein variation of the first variable power optical component provides focusing.

5. The variable power optical system of claim 2, wherein variation of the second variable power optical component provides focusing.

6. The variable power optical system of claim 1, wherein variation of the first and second variable power optical components provides a combination of zooming and focusing.

7. The variable power optical system of claim 1, wherein an optical stop is located between the object and the intermediate image.

8. The variable power optical system of claim 1, wherein an optical stop is located between the intermediate image and the final image.

9. The variable power optical system of claim 1, wherein the first variable power optical component comprises at least one moving lens group.

10. The variable power optical system of claim 1, wherein the second variable power optical component comprises at least one moving lens group.

11. The variable power optical system of claim 1, wherein the second variable power optical component is stationary, the variable power optical system further comprising at least one moving lens group located between the intermediate real image and a final image.

12. The variable power optical system of claim 1, wherein at least one optical surface has an aspheric profile.

13. The variable power optical system of claim 7 wherein an iris is placed substantially at the stop location to provide a variable aperture.

14. The variable power optical system of claim 8 wherein an iris is placed substantially at the stop location to provide a variable aperture.