Apparatus and method comprising deformable lens element
First Claim
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1. A focus apparatus comprising:
- a deformable lens element having an imaging axis, wherein a major body of said deformable lens element comprises a resiliently deformable member having at least one normally convex lens surface; and
an actuator positioned between a cover and said deformable lens for deforming said deformable lens element, the actuator having a flexible member positioned between first and second electrodes such that said actuator is a modular assembly comprising a first electrode positioned between said flexible member and said cover and a second electrode positioned between said flexible member and said deformable lens;
wherein said actuator is adapted to substantially conform to a shape of said convex lens surface and having one of a coated area or an aperture disposed about said imaging, axiswherein the focus apparatus is adapted so that by varying a voltage applied to said flexible member at a plurality of points spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said imaging axis, a convexity of said normally convex lens surface changes.
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Abstract
An apparatus comprising a deformable lens element can be provided wherein a deformable lens element can be deformed to change an optical property thereof by the impartation of a force to the deformable lens element.
176 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A focus apparatus comprising:
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a deformable lens element having an imaging axis, wherein a major body of said deformable lens element comprises a resiliently deformable member having at least one normally convex lens surface; and an actuator positioned between a cover and said deformable lens for deforming said deformable lens element, the actuator having a flexible member positioned between first and second electrodes such that said actuator is a modular assembly comprising a first electrode positioned between said flexible member and said cover and a second electrode positioned between said flexible member and said deformable lens; wherein said actuator is adapted to substantially conform to a shape of said convex lens surface and having one of a coated area or an aperture disposed about said imaging, axis wherein the focus apparatus is adapted so that by varying a voltage applied to said flexible member at a plurality of points spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said imaging axis, a convexity of said normally convex lens surface changes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A focus apparatus comprising:
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a deformable lens element having a deformable light entry surface and an opposing deformable light exit surface, the deformable lens element having an axis intersecting respective centers of said deformable light entry surface and said opposing deformable light exit surface; a first actuator for deforming said deformable light entry surface to change an optical property of said deformable lens element; and a second actuator for deforming said deformable light exit surface to change an optical property of said deformable lens element, wherein said deformable lens is positioned directly between said first and second actuators; wherein said deformable lens element, said first actuator, and said second actuator connect in a modular assembly surrounding said imaging axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An optical imaging system comprising:
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a deformable lens element having an imaging axis, wherein a major body of said deformable lens element is provided by a resiliently deformable member; a flexible member positioned on one side of said deformable lens, said flexible member attached along a periphery to an insulating sleeve; wherein said imaging system is configured so that a voltage can be applied to said flexible member at a plurality of points spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said imaging axis, and wherein said flexible member exerts a force on an external surface of said deformable lens for varying an optical characteristic of said imaging system. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification