Ganged focus mechanism for an optical device

• US 7,116,491 B1
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbit Systems of America LLC (Elbit Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Willey, Charles D., Dobbie, Blair R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): HASAN, MOHAMMED A
• Application Number:
  US11/207,346
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 359/694, 359/699, 359/700, 359/625, 359/626, 359/628, 359/798, 359630-633, 250/504.R, 250/339.06
• US Class Current: 359/694
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/08 adapted to co-operate with a remote control mechanism

Abstract

An optical device for viewing an image is provided. The optical device comprises a plurality of optical channels positioned adjacent one another, each optical channel having an image detector and a complimentary objective lens spaced by a respective distance. A focusing mechanism is coupled to the optical device and configured to simultaneously adjust the respective distance between the image detector and the objective lens of each optical channel.

Claims

1. An optical device for viewing an image comprising:

a plurality of optical channels positioned adjacent one another for monocular viewing, each optical channel having an image detector and a complimentary objective lens spaced by a respective distance; and

a focusing mechanism coupled to the optical device, configured to simultaneously adjust the respective distance between the image detector and the objective lens of each optical channel, wherein each optical channel transmits the same scene image for monocular viewing.

2. The optical device of claim 1 wherein the focusing mechanism includes a cam driver having at least one cam surface and each respective image detector being translatable along said at least one cam surface for simultaneously adjusting the distance between each respective image detector and objective lens.

3. The optical device of claim 2 further comprising a collar having a cam surface, wherein said cam surface of said cam driver engages said cam surface of said collar for simultaneously adjusting the distance between each respective image detector and objective lens.

4. The optical device of claim 3 wherein said collar and said cam driver are positioned between said objective lenses and said image detectors.

5. The optical device of claim 3 further comprising a spring positioned to urge said cam surface of said collar against said cam surface of said cam driver.

6. The optical device of claim 3 further comprising a pin extending from said cam driver that extends through a slot positioned in said collar, wherein said pin and said slot cooperate to translate said cam driver and said collar in orthogonal directions relative to each other.

7. The optical device of claim 3 wherein said cam driver and said collar translate in substantially orthogonal directions relative to each other.

8. The optical device of claim 1 wherein the focusing mechanism includes a cam driver having at least one cam surface and each respective objective lens being translatable along said at least one cam surface for simultaneously adjusting the distance between each respective image detector and objective lens.

9. The optical device of claim 1 wherein each respective image detector and complimentary objective lens are axially aligned with respect to each other.

10. The optical device of claim 1 wherein one of said image detectors is an image intensifier (I²).

11. The optical device of claim 1 wherein one of said image detectors is an infrared device (IR).

12. The optical device of claim 1 further comprising a positioning feedback device coupled to the focusing mechanism to regulate the parallax disparity between the optical channels.

13. A focusing mechanism configured for use with an optical device having a plurality of optical channels positioned adjacent one another for monocular viewing, each channel including an image detector and a complimentary objective lens spaced by a respective distance, wherein each optical channel transmits the same scene image for monocular viewing and the focusing mechanism is adapted to simultaneously adjust the respective distance between each respective image detector and objective lens.

14. The focusing mechanism of claim 13 wherein the focusing mechanism includes a cam driver having at least one cam surface and each respective image detector translatable along said at least one cam surface for simultaneously adjusting the distance between each respective image detector and objective lens.

15. The focusing mechanism of claim 14 further comprising a collar having a cam surface, wherein said cam surface of said cam driver engages said cam surface of said collar to adjust the distance between each respective image detector and objective lens.

16. The focusing mechanism of claim 15 further comprising a pin extending from said cam driver that extends through a slot positioned in said collar, wherein said pin and said slot cooperate to translate said cam driver and said collar in substantially orthogonal directions relative to each other.

17. The focusing mechanism of claim 15 further comprising a spring positioned to urge said cam surface of said collar against said cam surface of said cam driver.

18. The focusing mechanism of claim 13 wherein the focusing mechanism includes a cam driver having at least one cam surface and each respective objective lens being translatable along said at least one cam surface for simultaneously adjusting the distance between each respective image detector and objective lens.

19. The focusing mechanism of claim 13 wherein each respective image detector and complimentary objective lens are axially aligned with respect to each other.

20. The focusing mechanism of claim 13 further comprising a positioning feedback device coupled to the focusing mechanism to regulate the parallax disparity between the optical channels.