Patent · US Expired

All-reflective three element objective

US4240707A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
6References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 7, 1978
Grant dateDec 23, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 7, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B17/0636
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A compact, all-reflecting optical system for viewing distant objects. The system comprises a negative convex secondary mirror placed between a positive concave primary mirror and a positive concave tertiary mirror. The system has an eccentric field of view in that the field of view lies entirely on one side of the optical axis, and because of this, the light travelling from the object to the image will pass entirely outside the secondary mirror, both when entering the system and when travelling from the tertiary mirror to the image. Accordingly, with the present invention, there is no central obstruction and no consequent restriction on field of view and power distribution between mirrors as is found in prior art all-reflecting systems.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.