Liquid optics with folds lens and imaging apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A zoom lens system having a zoom range and configured to collect radiation emanating from an object side space of the zoom lens system and deliver the radiation to an image side space, the zoom lens system comprising:
- an objective lens group configured to be axially stationary and positively powered;
a zoom lens group positioned on an image side of the objective lens group and continuously movable along an optical axis over the entire zoom range;
an axially stationary lens group aligned along the optical axis and positioned on an image side of the zoom lens group, the axially stationary lens group comprising at least one liquid lens cell, the liquid lens cell comprising a first liquid in contact with a second liquid to form an optical surface having a variable shape between the contacting liquids;
an axially stationary optical stop positioned along the optical axis between the zoom lens group and the axially stationary lens group, the optical stop having an iris configured to change a size of its diameter; and
an optical redirection element aligned to form a fold along the optical axis,wherein the objective lens group, the axially stationary lens group, the zoom lens group, and the optical redirection element collect radiation emanating from the object side space of the zoom lens system and deliver the radiation to the image side space without forming an intermediate image along the folded optical axis, wherein the objective lens group, the zoom lens group, the optical stop, and the axially stationary lens group are positioned along the optical axis before the optical redirection element,wherein a zoom ratio of the zoom lens system is greater than 3×
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Abstract
A high performance zoom lens system suitable for use with a camera is disclosed. The zoom lens systems employs redirection of the radiation axis, liquid optics and a movable lens group to provide optical performance over the zoom focal length range at focus distances from close to infinity. The system also provides compensation for undesirable thermally induced effects by adjustments of the zoom group and the variably shaped optical surface in the liquid lens cell.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A zoom lens system having a zoom range and configured to collect radiation emanating from an object side space of the zoom lens system and deliver the radiation to an image side space, the zoom lens system comprising:
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an objective lens group configured to be axially stationary and positively powered; a zoom lens group positioned on an image side of the objective lens group and continuously movable along an optical axis over the entire zoom range; an axially stationary lens group aligned along the optical axis and positioned on an image side of the zoom lens group, the axially stationary lens group comprising at least one liquid lens cell, the liquid lens cell comprising a first liquid in contact with a second liquid to form an optical surface having a variable shape between the contacting liquids; an axially stationary optical stop positioned along the optical axis between the zoom lens group and the axially stationary lens group, the optical stop having an iris configured to change a size of its diameter; and an optical redirection element aligned to form a fold along the optical axis, wherein the objective lens group, the axially stationary lens group, the zoom lens group, and the optical redirection element collect radiation emanating from the object side space of the zoom lens system and deliver the radiation to the image side space without forming an intermediate image along the folded optical axis, wherein the objective lens group, the zoom lens group, the optical stop, and the axially stationary lens group are positioned along the optical axis before the optical redirection element, wherein a zoom ratio of the zoom lens system is greater than 3×
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A camera system comprising:
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a zoom lens comprising, in order along a common optical path from an object side of the zoom lens to an image side of the zoom lens, an axially stationary objective lens having a positive optical power, a movable lens group, an axially stationary optical stop having an iris with a variable diameter, a liquid cell lens group and an optical redirection element, the objective lens group, the movable lens group, the liquid cell lens group, the optical stop, and the optical redirection element aligned on the common optical path, wherein the movable lens group is continuously movable along the optical path over an entire zoom range and the optical redirection element redirects the radiation axis to form a fold in the optical path; and an image capture element positioned at a focal location on the image side of the zoom lens, wherein the zoom lens system does not form an intermediate image in the folded optical path, wherein a zoom ratio of the zoom lens is greater than 3×
. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification