Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Microscope
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-14
2001-07-03
Nguyen, Thong (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
Microscope
C359S366000, C359S368000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256143
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an optical microscope and, in particular, a stereoscopic, long-distance microscope having a target in the range of 100 mm-300 mm from the front optical element of the microscope.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art includes a significant number of telescopes and the like that have the following basic structure: a convex front lens; a concave rear mirror for receiving light from the front lens; a secondary mirror located on the backside of the front lens for receiving light focused from the rear mirror; an angled mirror, or the like, for receiving reflected light from the secondary mirror; and, an eyepiece for viewing the image reflected from the angled mirror. The target is typically located at a substantial distance from the front lens and the front lens and rear mirror have substantially the same diameter. An example of a well known telescope for observing astronomical events or observing or photographing terrestrial events, is the Questar 3½ sold by the Questar Corporation, 6204 Ingham Road, New Hope, Pa., 18938.
Other optical devices which include a compound refractive first front lens, a concave primary rear mirror, a secondary mirror and a mechanism for focusing the result onto an eyepiece are found in the following patent disclosures: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,748,658; 2,726,574; 3,532,410; and, 5,471,346.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,755,031 and 5,181,145 describe similar structures. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,145 discloses a beam that is reflected from a secondary, convex mirror which impinges on a beam splitter thereby producing two images at two different points. U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,380 also describes the use of a beam splitter at the output end of a similar structure.
The following patents disclose related structures, but without a compound refractive lens at the front end: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,753,760; 3,411,852; 3,468,597; 5,159,495; and, 5,161,051.
While the foregoing prior art disclosures have some nominal similarity to the present invention, nevertheless, none of them appear to describe a structure or use which permits the device to be used as a stereoscopic, long-distance microscope. Such a device can be especially useful for unique applications such as neuro-surgery, high-speed material processing and the inspection of complex materials for flaws and irregularities.
It was in the context of the foregoing need that the present invention arose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention comprises a stereoscopic, long-distance microscope capable of imaging targets at a distance between 100 mm-300 mm from the front lens of the instrument while providing significant three-dimensional stereoscopic detail. The microscope basically comprises: a front compound convex refractory lens having a diameter D
fl
for receiving light rays from the target; a rear concave primary reflective mirror having a diameter D
rm
for receiving light rays from the front lens; a convex secondary mirror located on the backside of the front lens for receiving light rays from the primary mirror; an angled plane or flat mirror for receiving the light rays focused from the secondary mirror; and, a stereoscopic eyepiece for receiving the light rays from the angled mirror. In addition, an intermediate, convex lens may be located between the secondary mirror and the angled mirror to further assist in the focusing of light rays from the front lens to the rear mirror. The diameter D
fl
of the front lens is smaller than the diameter D
rm
of the rear mirror. This combines with the location of the target within 100 to 300 mm of the front lens to enable the front element to gather light at such an angle from the target that extraneous light is eliminated from the light bundles that emerge therefrom. The light bundles are refracted, focused, received and divided by the stereo eyepiece and finally combined by the viewer into one three-dimensional image in the same fashion that normal eyes create one stereo image. The result is a realistic, three-dimensional view of an object located at a significant distance from the front lens but greatly enlarged.
The invention may be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2520635 (1950-08-01), Grey
patent: 2753760 (1956-07-01), Braymer
patent: 2801570 (1957-08-01), Nomarski et al.
patent: 3055259 (1962-09-01), Dietrich
patent: 4059336 (1977-11-01), Hopkins
patent: 5011243 (1991-04-01), Doyle et al.
patent: 452 963 (1991-10-01), None
Dodge Brian C.
Knight Douglas M.
Machemer Robert
Overaker Ronald F.
Nguyen Thong
Woodbridge Richard C.
Woodbridge & Associates P.C.
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