Variable lens sleeve spacer

• US 9,235,023 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Teledyne FLIR LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc. (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Burt, Warn, Hoelter, Theodore R., Birch, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, MINDY D
• Application Number:
  US13/802,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20130270441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 250/338.1, 250/234
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0205 Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0803 Arrangements for time-dependent attenuation of radiation signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0806 Focusing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or concave mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/02 for lenses supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/021 for more than one lens
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/23 from thermal infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/671 for non-uniformity detection or correction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/674 based on the scene itself, e.g. defocusing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/144 Movement detection for video coding H04N19/503; analysis of motion in general G06T7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Various techniques are disclosed for providing systems and methods for orienting one or more lenses or other optical elements in a lens sleeve. For example, a system may include a lens sleeve defining an interior lens cavity. A plurality of lens positioning features extend from the lens sleeve adjacent the interior lens cavity. A first lens is secured in the lens cavity at a first position relative to the lens sleeve. A first set of the lens positioning features are located at a second position relative to the lens sleeve, and a second set of the lens positioning features are located at a third position relative to the lens sleeve. A second lens engages either the first set or the second set of the plurality of lens positioning features depending on a desired distance between the first lens and the second lens.

Claims

1. A lens spacing system, comprising:

a lens sleeve with a first end and a second end and an interior surface defining a lens cavity;

a first lens seat that is located on the lens sleeve and adjacent the lens cavity and that is operable to engage a first lens when the first lens is positioned in the lens cavity;

a plurality of first lens guide channels that are defined by the lens sleeve and positioned in a spaced apart orientation adjacent the lens cavity and between the first end of the lens sleeve and the first lens seat; and

a plurality of lens positioning features, located on the lens sleeve and adjacent the lens cavity, that have corresponding surfaces substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens sleeve, wherein the optical axis is oriented from the first end of the lens sleeve to the second end of the lens sleeve;

wherein a first set of the plurality of lens positioning features are operable to engage a plurality of corner edges of a second lens to orient the second lens a first distance from the first lens, and wherein a second set of the plurality of lens positioning features are operable to engage the plurality of corner edges of the second lens to orient the second lens a second distance from the first lens that is different than the first distance.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first lens and a second lens, wherein the first and second lenses are square; and

wherein the plurality of first lens guide channels extend along a length of the lens sleeve to the first lens seat that is configured to support the first lens in the lens cavity, and wherein the plurality of first lens guide channels are configured such that the plurality of corner edges of the first lens are movable through the plurality of first lens guide channels to the first lens seat so that, situated on the first lens seat, the first lens is perpendicular to the optical axis.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein one of each of the first set and the second set of the plurality of lens positioning features are located between each pair of the plurality of first lens guide channels.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the lens sleeve includes a plurality of threads extending from an outer surface of the lens sleeve that is located on an opposite side of the lens sleeve from the lens cavity.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a third set of the plurality of lens positioning features are operable to engage the second lens to orient the second lens a third distance from the first lens that is different than the first distance and the second distance.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a plurality of stepped lens positioning members, wherein each of the plurality of stepped lens positioning members includes one of the first set of lens positioning features and a first respective lens guide channel, one of the second set of lens positioning features and a second respective lens guide channel, and one of the third set of lens positioning features and a third respective lens guide channel, and

wherein the one of the first set of lens positioning features, the one of the second set of lens positioning features, and the one of the third set of lens positioning features are discrete from each other.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of stepped lens positioning members are operable to allow the second lens to be positioned in the lens cavity in a first radial orientation relative to the first lens and allow only the corner edges of the second lens to be in engagement with the first set of lens positioning features, in a second radial orientation relative to the first lens and allow only the corner edges of the second lens to be in engagement with the second set of lens positioning features, and in a third radial orientation relative to the first lens and allow only the corner edges of the second lens to be in engagement with the third set of lens positioning features.

8. A thermal imaging device, comprising:

a housing;

at least one infrared sensor located in the housing;

a lens sleeve coupled to the housing and defining an interior lens cavity;

a first lens secured in the lens cavity and spaced apart from the at least one infrared sensor at a first position relative to the lens sleeve;

a plurality of lens positioning features extending from the lens sleeve, located adjacent the lens cavity, and including a first set of the plurality of lens positioning features that provide a first lens support surface located at a second position relative to the lens sleeve that is different from the first position, and a second set of the plurality of lens positioning features that provide a second lens support surface located at a third position relative to the lens sleeve that is different from the first position and the second position;

a plurality of first lens guide channels that extend along a length of the lens sleeve to a first lens seat that is configured to support the first lens in the lens cavity, wherein the plurality of first lens guide channels are configured such that the first lens is movable through the plurality of first lens guide channels to the first lens seat; and

a second lens engaging either the first set or the second set of the plurality of lens positioning features.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of lens positioning features include a third set that provide a third lens support surface located at a fourth position relative to the lens sleeve that is different from the first position, the second position, and the third position, and wherein only corner edges of the second lens engage either the first set, the second set, or the third set of the plurality of lens positioning features.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising:

a plurality of stepped lens positioning members, wherein each of the plurality of stepped lens positioning members includes one of the first set of lens positioning features, one of the second set of lens positioning features, and one of the third set of lens positioning features, and

wherein each one of the first, second, and third set of lens positioning features is discrete from the other, and has respective lens guide channels.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of stepped lens positioning members are operable to allow the second lens to be positioned in the lens cavity in a first radial orientation relative to the first lens and in engagement with the first set of lens positioning features, in a second radial orientation relative to the first lens and in engagement with the second set of lens positioning features, and in a third radial orientation relative to the first lens and in engagement with the third set of lens positioning features.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of stepped lens positioning members are located between a pair of the plurality of first lens guide channels, and wherein the first and the second lenses are square and perpendicular to the optical axis when engaged with the first lens seat or the plurality of lens positioning features, respectively.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the lens sleeve includes a plurality of threads that extend from an outer surface of the lens sleeve and that couple the lens sleeve to the housing.

14. A method for spacing lenses, the method comprising:

providing a lens sleeve with a first end, a second end, and an interior surface defining a lens cavity and including a plurality of lens positioning features that extend from the lens sleeve and include a first set and a second set of the plurality of lens positioning features;

positioning a first lens in the lens cavity; and

positioning a second lens in the lens cavity by engaging a plurality of corner edges of the second lens with either the first set or the second set of the plurality of lens positioning features that have corresponding surfaces substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens sleeve, and wherein the optical axis is oriented within the lens sleeve from the first end of the lens sleeve to the second end of the lens sleeve;

wherein the positioning of the first lens in the lens cavity includes moving the first lens through a plurality of first lens guide channels defined by the lens sleeve, and engaging the first lens with a first lens seat that is located adjacent the lens cavity;

wherein the engagement of the second lens with the first set of the plurality of lens positioning features positions the second lens a first distance from the first lens; and

wherein the engagement of the second lens with the second set of the plurality of lens positioning features position the second lens a second distance from the first lens that is different from the first distance.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of lens positioning features include a third set and the positioning the second lens in the lens cavity includes engaging the first set, the second set, or the third set of the lens positioning features, and wherein the engagement of the second lens with the third set of the plurality of lens positioning features positions the second lens a third distance from the first lens that is different from the first distance and the second distance.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second lens is positioned in a first radial orientation relative to the first lens if engaging the first set of lens positioning features, in a second radial orientation relative to the first lens if engaging the second set of lens positioning features, and in a third radial orientation relative to the first lens if engaging the third set of lens positioning features, and wherein the plurality of lens positioning features supports the second lens only at corners of the second lens.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

coupling the lens sleeve to a housing that houses at least one infrared sensor.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining a desired spacing between the first lens and the second lens, wherein, via a respective guide channel, the second lens is engaged with either the first set or the second set of the plurality of lens positioning features based on the desired spacing.

19. A lens spacing system, comprising:

a lens sleeve with a first end and a second end and an interior surface defining a lens cavity;

a first lens seat that is located on the lens sleeve and adjacent the lens cavity and that is operable to engage a first lens when the first lens is positioned in the lens cavity; and

a plurality of lens positioning features, located on the lens sleeve and adjacent the lens cavity, that have corresponding surfaces substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens sleeve, wherein the optical axis is oriented from the first end of the lens sleeve to the second end of the lens sleeve;

wherein a first set of the plurality of lens positioning features are operable to engage a plurality of corner edges of a second lens to orient the second lens a first distance from the first lens, and wherein a second set of the plurality of lens positioning features are operable to engage the plurality of corner edges of the second lens to orient the second lens a second distance from the first lens that is different than the first distance; and

wherein the lens sleeve includes a plurality of threads extending from an outer surface of the lens sleeve that is located on an opposite side of the lens sleeve from the lens cavity.

20. A lens spacing system, comprising:

a lens sleeve with a first end and a second end and an interior surface defining a lens cavity;

a first lens seat that is located on the lens sleeve and adjacent the lens cavity and that is operable to engage a first lens when the first lens is positioned in the lens cavity; and

a plurality of lens positioning features, located on the lens sleeve and adjacent the lens cavity, that have corresponding surfaces substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens sleeve, wherein the optical axis is oriented from the first end of the lens sleeve to the second end of the lens sleeve;

wherein a first set of the plurality of lens positioning features are operable to engage a plurality of corner edges of a second lens to orient the second lens a first distance from the first lens, and wherein a second set of the plurality of lens positioning features are operable to engage the plurality of corner edges of the second lens to orient the second lens a second distance from the first lens that is different than the first distance; and

wherein engaged surfaces of the plurality of corner edges of the second lens are substantially perpendicular to the interior surface and to the optical axis, and extend away from the second lens while within and parallel to a plane occupied by the second lens, the plane disposed perpendicular to the optical axis.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a plurality of first lens guide channels that are defined by the lens sleeve and positioned in a spaced apart orientation adjacent the lens cavity and between the first end of the lens sleeve and the first lens seat, and wherein the plurality of first lens guide channels are configured such that the plurality of corner edges of the first lens are movable through the plurality of first lens guide channels to engage the first lens with the first lens seat.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

a first lens and a second lens, wherein the first and second lenses are square, and wherein the first and second lenses are perpendicular to the optical axis when in engagement with the first lens seat and the plurality of lens positioning features, respectively.