Patent US4182547A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4182547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image focusing apparatus for fiberscopes
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1978-08-10
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Granted: 1980-01-08
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Expires: 1998-08-10
Abstract
Abstract The distal objective of a fiberscope is fixed to one end of a helical spring formed of a bimetallic composite adapted to extend and contract when heated and cooled, carrying the objective along its axis. Remotely controlled heating of the spring effects adjustment of the objective for image focusing purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter P. Siegmund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
In a fiberscope having a distal objective for focusing images of objects to be observed upon an image-receiving face of an image-transmitting bundle of optical fibers within the fiberscope, the improvement comprising: an axially adjustable helical support for said objective, said objective being secured to said support at a preselected axial distance away from one end of said support, said end of said support being fixed in said fiberscope adjacent said image-receiving face; and means for selectively effecting axial extension and retraction of said support for providing corresponding positional adjustment of said objective relative to said image-receiving face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a fiberscope having a distal objective for focusing images of objects to be observed upon an image-receiving face of an image-transmitting bundle of optical fibers within the fiberscope, the improvement comprising: an axially adjustable helical support for said objective, said objective being secured to said support at a preselected axial distance away from one end of said support, said end of said support being fixed in said fiberscope adjacent said image-receiving face; and means for selectively effecting axial extension and retraction of said support for providing corresponding positional adjustment of said objective relative to said image-receiving face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 1 wherein said helical support comprises a spring formed of a bimetallic wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 2 wherein said wire of said spring comprises the composite of longitudinally extending juxtapositioned metallic components having respectively relatively low and high coefficients of thermal expansion, said composite being twisted along its axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 3 wherein said means for selectively effecting axial extension and retraction of said helical support comprises a source of electrical current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 4 including an electrical switch, said wire of said spring and source of current and said switch being connected in electrical series.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 4 including an electrical heating element surrounding at least a portion of the length of said helical support and an electrical switch, said heating element and switch and source of current being connected in electrical series.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 3 including a second spring of substantially identical construction to said first-mentioned spring, said second spring having an end thereof connected to said objective oppositely of said first-mentioned spring and further having its remaining end fixed in said fiberscope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 3 wherein opposite ends of said spring are fixed in said fiberscope and said objective is disposed internally of said spring intermediately of said ends thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 8 wherein said means for selectively effecting axial extension and retraction of said spring comprises a source of electrical current and includes an electrical switch, said source of current and switch being connected in electrical series with a portion of the overall length of said wire of said helical support.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improvement in a fiberscope according to claim 8 further including a cylindrical electrical heating element surrounding a portion of the length of said spring and said means for selectively effecting axial extension and retraction of said helical support includes a source of electrical current and an electrical switch, said source of current and switch being connected in electrical series with said heating element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3091235A
Cited
US3913568A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-01-07 | 1983-07-09 | 1984-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-07 | 1987-07-09 | 1988-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-07 | 1991-07-09 | 1992-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |