Optical: systems and elements – Lens – With reflecting element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-07
2001-05-15
Epps, Georgia (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Lens
With reflecting element
C359S205100, C359S210100, C359S212100, C359S223100, C250S2140VT
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233100
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to scanning electro-optical sensor systems, and more particularly, to ultra-wide field of view concentric scanning electro-optical sensor systems.
Most wide field of view scanning electro-optical systems have either a fisheye lens form or concentric Bouwers system. For a fisheye lens system, the overall length is at least six times the effective focal length (EFL). Consequently, the fisheye lens systems are bulky and heavy. In many cases, aspheric lenses are needed for both aberration and distortion correction. Additionally, the implementation of a scanner near the pupil plane or aperture stop is a challenging task.
Although the Bouwers system is a concentric design form, the overall length is two times the EFL. Additionally, the generic central obscuration characteristics associated with the Bouwers system often limits the F-number and the field of view coverage. Therefore, a scanner near the aperture has to be decentered with respect to the optical axis.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide for ultra-wide field of view concentric scanning electro-optical sensor systems that improve upon conventional fisheye lens and Bouwers type systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To accomplish the above and other objectives, the present invention provides for a very compact, high numerical aperture, high resolution, ultra-wide field of view (FOV) concentric scanning optical sensor. The drawbacks associated with the prior art systems may be overcome by the concentric scanning optical sensor constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
The concentric scanning optical sensor comprises a scanning half ball lens having a flat reflective rear surface, an outer shell lens that is concentrically disposed about the scanning half ball lens, a relatively thin inner shell lens that is concentrically disposed about the scanning half ball lens, and a linear focal surface array that is concentrically disposed about the scanning half ball lens.
The scanning half ball lens is rotated to scan the field of view. The flat surface of the half ball lens may be a reflective Schmidt corrector with generalized aspheric shape. The flat surface of the half ball lens may be a reflective Schmidt corrector with generalized bilateral symmetric aspheric shape. The scanning mechanism may also be a full spherical ball with multiple reflecting surfaces to allow for multiple facet scanning.
The focal surface array may be a curved and concentric with respect to the center of the scanning half ball lens. The focal surface array may be coplanar with detector elements distributed along a ring centered around the optical axis of the sensor. The focal surface array may also include multiple stripes concentric with respect to the center of the half ball lens.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5274235 (1993-12-01), Taylor
Anderson J. Steve
Chen Chungte W.
Alkov Leonard A.
Epps Georgia
Lenzen, Jr. Glenn H.
Raufer Colin M.
Raytheon Company
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