Partial color-corrected projection lens system

• US 6,297,860 B1
• Filed: 10/27/1998
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Corning Precision Lens
• Inventors: Moskovich, Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): HSIA, SHERRIE Y
• Application Number:
  US09/171,870
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 348/744, 348/776, 348/778, 348/781, 348/784, 359/649, 359/708, 359/781, 359/650, 359/756, 359/763, 359/771, 359/770
• US Class Current: 348/781
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/16 for use in conjunction with image converters or intensifiers , or for use with projectors, e.g. objectives for projection TV
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 9/34 having four components only

Abstract

Projection lens systems (13) for use in projection televisions are provided. The systems are characterized by a screen side lens unit (U1) which: (1) has a weak optical power; (2) has a negative, aspherical lens element composed of a high dispersion material; and (3) has a positive lens element which is composed of a low dispersion material.

Claims

1. A projection lens system for use with a cathode ray tube, said system having an image side and comprising in order from said image side:

a) a corrector lens unit of weak optical power, said unit comprising in order from said image side;

i) a first lens element which has a negative power on axis and comprises at least one aspherical surface, said first lens element being composed of a high dispersion material; and

ii) a second lens element which has a positive power and is composed of a low dispersion material;

b) a power lens unit providing most of the positive optical power of the lens system;

c) a lens unit of weak optical power comprising at least one aspherical surface; and

d) a lens unit which has a strong negative power, is associated with the cathode ray tube during use of the lens system, and provides most of the correction to the field curvature of the lens system.

2. The projection lens system of claim 1 wherein the corrector lens unit has more negative power in the vicinity of the unit'"'"'s clear aperture than in the vicinity of the system'"'"'s optical axis.

3. The projection lens system of claim 1 wherein the first and second lens elements are closely spaced.

4. The projection lens system of claim 1 wherein the first lens element has a small variation in thickness over its clear aperture.

5. The projection lens system of claim 1 wherein the second lens element comprises at least one aspherical surface.

6. The projection lens system of claim 5 wherein the second lens element has a small variation in thickness over its clear aperture.

7. The projection lens system of claim 1 wherein the first lens element is composed of styrene and the second lens element is composed of acrylic.

8. A projection television set comprising a cathode ray tube, a screen, and a projection lens system for projecting light from the cathode ray tube onto the screen to form an image, said projection lens system comprising the projection lens system of claim 1.

9. A projection television set comprising three cathode ray tubes, a screen, and three projection lens systems, one projection lens system being associated with each of the cathode ray tubes for projecting light from that tube onto the screen to form an image, each projection lens system comprising the projection lens system of claim 1.