Abstract: The invention provides a sightglass assembly for viewing the interior of a vessel, such as a reaction vessel for chemical or biochemical reactions, and is adapted to be welded to a vessel wall. The sightglass assembly comprises a window disc fused to a metal frame having a flange extending radially therefrom. The assembly is set into an appropriately sized opening in the vessel wall and the outer perimeter of the flange is welded to the vessel wall. An annular groove in the flange, surrounding the frame and window disc, absorbs stresses created by the heat of welding and thus protects the integrity of the entire unit. When installed, the sightglass assembly and inner face of the tank wall provide an easily cleanable smooth continuous surface, free of recesses and crevasses where bacteria can collect and grow or product from previous batches can accumulate and cause contamination.

Abstract: A windshield for a head-up display system has a pair of opposing major surfaces that are nonparallel to one another in selected areas. Light rays directed toward the nonparallel area of the windshield are reflected from the outer and inner major surfaces of the windshield and directed toward the eye of the observer as parallel or superimposed light rays to eliminate ghost images when viewing images projected by the head-up display system through the windshield. The interlayer blank utilized to make the windshield has a non-uniform thickness profile with a tapered thickness positioned in the selected areas of the windshield.

Abstract: A split-sphere observatory enclosure includes an antrum and a rotor including an oculus. The oculus is covered by an oculus window, which is rotatably mounted to the rotor. As an instrument housed by the enclosure moves to track an object or point across the sky, the oculus window is rotated to maintain a fixed orientation with respect to the instrument.

Abstract: An endoscopic optical system includes an elongate metal housing with a circular opening in its end in which a transparent window is received. The window has a cylindrical outer edge surface which is metallized over at least part of its area and is opposed to the cylindrical internal surface of the opening. An annular solder joint is provided in the gap between the opposed cylindrical surfaces. The solder joint has a thickness in the direction perpendicular to the window which is only a proportion of the thickness of the window.

Abstract: A head for a printer and an image processing system is provided in which light emitted from light emitting elements formed on a substrate of the head does not leak from pinholes of a non-corresponding light emitting elements and does not interfere with light emitted by other light emitting elements, so that satisfactory printing can be carried out. An aperture has on opposite ends sandwiching portions and covers a substrate to sandwich a carriage. Concave portions are formed correspondence with light emitting elements. Pinholes are provided in a front wall and an insulating black coat is formed on the surfaces of the concave portions to prevent a short circuit. Light from the light emitting elements which does not pass through the pinholes is absorbed by the surfaces of the concave portions.

Abstract: An emergency visual assistance device which provides an operator at an operator station access to operationally necessary visual information when that visual information is obscured by smoke or other vision-obstructing matter, and a method for using that device. In the device's basic version, a transparent panel is attached to either end of an elongated rigid hollow spacer tube in a manner which provides a substantially airtight seal. The preferred embodiment includes flexible skirts at each end of the device, and an illumination means mounted within the device. The flexible skirts serve mainly to exclude smoke from the operator's visual pathway, and the illumination means provides light for illuminating the visual information.

Abstract: An anti-aliasing aperture and method of using the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, an anti-aliasing method includes passing light through an aperture stop, and diffracting the light passing through the aperture stop for spreading an image of a point object to cover more than a pixel on a detector array. The aperture stop includes two or more apertures. In another embodiment, an anti-aliasing apparatus includes an aperture stop having two or more apertures to diffract light passing therethrough and provide spreading of an image of a point object to cover more than one pixel on a detector array.

Abstract: The invention comprises a spatial filter and a method of spatially filtering a laser beam, particularly a high power laser beam. The inventive spatial filter and method of use is especially suited for use in an optical system for writing index gratings in optical waveguides. The invention provides a method of writing gratings in optical waveguide fiber that results in improved grating performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical guide fixture for coupling visual information on a surface to a viewer. The optical guide fixture of the invention can be coupled to an optical receiver, such as a digital camera, operably connected to a head-mounted display unit to provide a device according to the invention for viewing a surface. Such a device, in one application, provides magnified images of visual information on a surface, such as a page of a book, to a patient with a visual impairment.

Abstract: A medical transilluminator device is disclosed. The device includes a fiberoptic cable that is interconnected at one end to a fiberoptic illuminator. The opposite end of the cable is interengaged to a transilluminating spacer component that transmits light toward tissue being examined. A light intensity adjusting mechanism may be interengaged between the fiberoptic cable and the spacer component.

Abstract: In an optical positioning system, a holographic optical element having a plurality of rectangular apertures has predetermined ones of its aperture edges castellated or notched in order to null out undesired light energy in target areas. The apertures may be fitted with diffraction grating patterns that may also be castellated for the same purpose. A method of using the aperture and grating pattern castellated holographic optical element is also provided.

Abstract: A light source device or a projection type display apparatus has a pillar optical element; a condenser means; and a first lens effective to focus the image of the emitting end face of the pillar optical element at a surface to be irradiated; wherein the pillar optical element includes a tapered portion on a side of the incident end face and a non-tapered pillar portion on a side of the emitting end face, a cross-sectional area of the tapered portion continuously increasing from the incident end face toward the emitting end face and a cross-sectional area of the non-tapered pillar portion being constant.

Abstract: A window for utilization in the receiving of intelligence from a modulated beam of collimated light, with the window being configured to restrict the field of view of the optical system used therewith, and employing the phenomenon of total internal reflection. Such a window may be used to reject the entry of unwanted radiation, such as noise, and comprises first and second generally triangularly shaped wedges of optical material. The entry face of the first wedge is generally perpendicular to a base plane, and its rear face is disposed at an acute angle to the entry face. The entry face of the second wedge is disposed at the same angle to the base plane as the rear face of the first wedge, and the two wedges are separated by a small air gap.

Abstract: A device for protecting a gauge includes a base portion for attachment to a surface, and a cover portion attached to the base portion for shielding the gauge from impact. In one embodiment, the base portion has legs defining a saddle-shaped surface matching the surface to which the gauge protector is attached. The cover portion may have a sight glass positioned such that the gauge face is visible even though the entire gauge is enclosed. The device may be used to protect a pressure gauge for a regulator for a portable oxygen bottle.

Abstract: An emergency vision device for use in a smoke emergency to enable a user to look through a windshield or view an instrument, comprises a housing; an inflatable enclosure having a first end for being disposed toward a user, a second end for being disposed toward the windshield or the instrument, the inflatable enclosure being stored within the housing when not in use, the first and second ends having first and second transparent panels, respectively, such that visual information from beyond the windshield or from the instrument is transmitted through the second panel to the user through the first panel; a blower operably connected to the inflatable enclosure adapted to inflate the enclosure; a first switch for operating the blower; and a member operably connected to the inflatable enclosure and the first switch such that the switch is activated when the inflatable enclosure is removed from the housing.

Abstract: An optical system for providing an in-focus, extended depth of field image on a projection surface includes an encoded mask or light encoder for preceding the light to include object information (or, equivalently, information about the desired image), and an extended depth of field (EDF) mask, for extending the depth of field of the projection system. In addition to including object information, the encoded mask encodes the light from the light source to account for the variations introduced by the EDF mask in extending the depth of field, so that no post processing is required.

Abstract: A periscope includes a housing having two opposing side walls, a rear wall, a front wall, a top end and a bottom end. On the front wall, adjacent the top end, is an upper opening in communication with an interior chamber. An upper light reflecting device is positioned within the interior chamber to reflect light downwardly toward the bottom end of the housing. The housing further includes a lower viewing opening on the rear wall adjacent the bottom end that is likewise in communication with the interior chamber. A second light reflecting device is positioned within the chamber, somewhat facing both the viewing opening and the light reflecting device, for projecting light from the upper light reflecting device toward the viewing opening. An adjustable magnifying assembly is mounted between the upper opening and the upper light reflecting device for magnifying images projected to the viewing opening. The magnifying assembly is horizontally movable within the housing to vary the degree of magnification.

Abstract: The optical head has a light source, a collimating lens, an aperture-limiting element and an objective lens in the mentioned order in the direction of progress of light emitted from the light source, and a photo-detecting system for detecting return light having been transmitted through the objective lens and reflected by an optical disk. The aperture-limiting element includes a plurality of stripe transparent electrodes spaced apart at a predetermined interval on an electro-optical crystal substrate, and a substantially circular non-electrode area lacking the stripe transparent electrodes at a center portion of the substrate. The aperture-limiting element can be constructed with a reduced number of components as compared with the prior art construction.

Abstract: A 3-D photo attachment for the phototube of a light microscope which enables a 2-D camera port to be enhanced to take 3-D stereo pair photography both sequentially and simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a housing for a water-soluble crystal to be placed in its interior, with polished optical end faces, especially for nonlinear frequency conversion in laser applications, with a jacket housing for receiving and holding the crystal at its jacket, leaving these end faces free, and with housing lids sealing off the two end jacket openings of the housing in a gastight manner, the lids both being secured in a releasable fashion to the jacket housing, with an optically transparent window in the form of a disk being located between each housing lid and the jacket housing, the disk sealing off the interior by means of an O-ring. Each housing lid has an inwardly projecting projection at its lid edge, the projection engaging an outwardly open groove to form a latching connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle roof with a cover (14) having a transparent area, the transparency of which can be controlled by applying a voltage to it. The transparent area has an outwardly arched pane (16) and a flat inner pane (20) located under the outer pane and provided with an electrochromic element (22).

Abstract: A photonic television system for propagating an image of light, in the form of its original three dimensional photonic makeup, through an airless, light proof, wave guide structure, utilizing a unique system of plastic concave and convex lenses in tandem, whose physical spacing is preferably one focal length from each other, which results in the photons of the image to be continually expanding and contracting, as they automatically propagate through each lens to the end of the wave guide, where via conventional magnifying lenses, the three dimensional image can be seen by a viewer, in a manner similar when viewing a microscope or telescope.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an anti-aliasing apparatus is disclosed. The anti-aliasing apparatus includes an aperture stop including an array of apertures. Each of the apertures on the aperture stop diffracts light passing therethrough and provides spreading of an image of a point object in a controlled image irradiance distribution. In another embodiment, an optical system is disclosed. The optical system includes a detector array having an array of pixels and an aperture stop positioned between an object plane and the detector array. The aperture stop includes an array of apertures, each of which diffracts light passing therethrough and provides a controlled spreading of the light to cover more than one pixel of the detector array.

Abstract: A reflecting surface is formed at a rear side of a thick portion so that when viewed from the center front relative to the thick portion, light is reflected by the reflecting surface to let the color of the panel be seen as the color of the thick portion. With this, the confusing visual aspect of the window member of the indicator unit that occurs when the color of the thick portion of the window member looks different from the color of the other portion of the window member can be eliminated without having to color the rear surface side of the thick portion.

Abstract: A projector system includes a light pipe integrator (LPI) between its lamp and its projection lens system. The LPI is hollow, formed from sheet metal, and has an internal cold mirror coating which reflects visible light and passes infra-red radiation. The reflector is a compound reflector having profiles of two ellipses with different eccentricities.

Abstract: A projector system includes a lamp, a reflector collector optic, relay optics to image the light from the light pipe exit pupil to the image gate, a light pipe and an image forming means such as a film gate or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel. The light pipe has a round or octagonal entrance pupil, reflecting internal walls, is tapered in shape, and has a rectangular exit pupil which is larger than a center section in cross-section. The light pipe mixes the light, by internal reflection, and produces light which is uniform in color and intensity across the exit pupil.

Abstract: A radiographic film mask includes a planar sheet sized for receipt on an illuminated radiographic film examination box. The mask has two opaque sections and a transparent section. The transparent section is disposed on the sheet between the two opaque sections to form a radiographic film viewing area which has an area less than the entire area of the sheet. The sheet may include semi-transparent sections which border the viewing area and interconnect the opaque portions to provide reduced transmission of light along the marginal edges of the radiographic film.

Abstract: A windshield for a head-up display system has a pair of opposing major surfaces that are nonparallel to one another in selected areas. Light rays directed toward the nonparallel area of the windshield are reflected from the outer and inner major surfaces of the windshield and directed toward the eye of the observer as parallel or superimposed light rays to eliminate ghost images when viewing images projected by the head-up display system through the windshield. The interlayer blank utilized to make the windshield has a non-uniform thickness profile with a tapered thickness positioned in the selected areas of the windshield.

Abstract: A lens contamination preventive device comprises a gas jetting device for jetting out gas and a gas suction device for suctioning gas which are disposed to face each other with respect to an optical axis of light emitted through a lens. The gas jetting device and the gas suction device are disposed so as to form a layer of gas jet stream in the vicinity of a surface of the lens. The gas jetting device has a gas jetting port, a width of which is greater than a diameter of the lens. The gas suction device has a rate of suction greater than a rate of jet from the gas jetting device.

Abstract: Observation window, especially for checking the temperature of objects using infrared thermography, including a parallel-faced transparent insert made of a single crystal suitable for radiation to pass through without being substantially modified and/or attenuated, which radiation, whose wavelength may range from the visible to the relatively far infrared emanates from an object whose temperature is to be monitored, housed in a screened cabinet provided with a door or panel against which the window is arranged, wherein the insert is fitted into a support which surrounds it at its periphery and is immobilized with respect to the support, this support being applied in a sealed manner against an aperture made in the door and then locked in position by means which are only accessible from inside the cabinet, the support comprising an external protective cover capable of pivoting about a pin connecting it to this support, so as to reveal the insert and allow observation through it of the object to be monitored by

Abstract: A wedge window changes the direction of radiation passing through the window to shorten the window required for unvignetted viewing. An orthogonal reflection pointing mirror reduces the window size that is required for unvignetted viewing through a window over a finite range of viewing angles. A wedge window is used in combination with an orthogonal reflection pointing mirror to reduce the window size that is required for unvignetted viewing over a finite range of viewing angles that includes large incidence angles.

Abstract: An optical housing (30) includes an optical pedestal (10), a light-blocking mask (31), and a translucent light diffuser (32). The optical housing (30) is used to inspect a work piece (51) placed on a top surface (21) of the optical pedestal (10). Diffusive light is transmitted from the translucent light diffuser (32) into the optical pedestal (10) via a portion of an optically polished bottom surface (11) that is uncovered by the light-blocking mask (31). In the optical pedestal (10), light is reflected by an optically polished inclined surface (23) and refracted by another optically polished inclined surface (25). When light is transmitted away from the optical pedestal (10) after being refracted, it is a collinear light beam and substantially parallel to the top surface (21) of the optical pedestal (10).

Abstract: An objective lens for an endoscope has an optical lens system including a plurality of optical lens elements coaxially arranged at predetermined axial distances, at least an adjacent two of which are spaced at a specified relative axial distance by a thin ring member for restricting light rays entering the optical system.

Abstract: A drum scanning type image reading apparatus includes an illumination optical system and an imaging optical system. The illumination optical system is an optical system for irradiating light upon an original. A variable aperture stop is disposed at a conjugate position with the original. In the imaging optical system, a pick-up lens focuses an image of an image reading region of the original on an image focusing surface, and photomultiplier tubes read light passing through one of holes which are formed in a main aperture plate which is disposed on the image focusing surface. To change an image reading resolution in the image reading apparatus, the image reading region and an illumination region are changed by changing the aperture size of the main aperture plate and the size of the variable aperture stop.

Abstract: A mounting adapter for coupling a TV lens or other type of lens to a night vision device is provided. The mounting adapter is a longitudinal tubular member that has an exterior surface that tapers from a wider first end to a narrower second end. The interior surface of the wider first end includes a first threaded region to removably couple the mounting adapter to a night vision device. A second threaded region is located on the interior surface of the narrower second end for removably coupling a TV lens or other optical device to the mounting adapter. The mounting adapter defines a cavity for receiving a portion of an image intensifier tube, this cavity being located just past the first threaded region. At the end of the cavity there is defined an annular-shaped seat which abuts against the image intensifier tube when the mounting adapter is coupled to the night vision device.

Abstract: There is described a vehicle door assembly with shear layer control for controlling the airflow in and around an aperture in the vehicle fuselage. The vehicle door assembly consists of an upper door and a lower door, both slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the vehicle fuselage. In addition, an inner door is slidably mounted beneath the upper door. Beneath the inner door is an aperture assembly having an aperture opening positionable to be substantially flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle fuselage. Also provided are means for positioning the aperture assembly in an upward and downward direction in relation to the vehicle fuselage.

Abstract: An apparatus for reconstructing holographic images includes a white light source, diffraction grating (1112) for generating zero-order diffracted light (1416) and at least first-order diffracted light, and light control film (LCF 1810) which is configured to block the zero-order diffracted light and to facilitate passage of a desired bandwidth of first-order diffracted light therethrough. In one embodiment light control film (LCF 1810) comprises a front layer (1802), a core layer (1804), and a back layer (1806). The back layer (1806) may be thought of as a datum, whereby a lateral shift in front film (1802) results in wavelength selectively, and a corresponding shift in core layer (1804) results in good zero-order light blocking. The resulting light is a pseudo-monochromatic source having sufficient coherence for use as a hologram reconstruction beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable attenuator for an optical transmission system having a disc-like masking plate with apertures (or image zones) formed in an arcuate control area at the periphery of the plate. Within each aperture, at least one opaque masking member is provided extending outward from the origin to the perimeter of the aperture and having a masking surface with an incremental masking area which continuously increases in magnitude with increasing radial length of the aperture. The perpendicular cross-section of each masking member with respect to the optical axis preferably forms a geometric shape having straight-line edges extending radially outward from the origin of the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of masking members are utilized (as a pair or sets of pairs).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical system for providing uniform illumination of a light valve. The light source is an extended source generally emitting a non-uniform spatial distribution of light power. Source light is focused into the entrance end of a light transmitting tunnel having reflecting interior wall surfaces and having cross sectional and length dimensions chosen to deliver, at the exit end of the tunnel, light which is substantially uniform in power distribution over the surface area of the exit end. This is caused by multiple reflections from the tunnel walls. The exiting light is advantageously used to illuminate uniformly a light valve. The tunnel may be tapered to alter the exit angular aperture. The tunnel may be hollow or filled with a transparent material. In addition, the tunnel may be segmented and folded to provide a joint which conforms tunnel geometry to given spatial limitations between source and valve.

Abstract: A variable focus adapter is disclosed that comprises the combination of a ns and an aperture provided by a plate all lodged in a housing that is placed so that the lens is in proximity with each objective lens of a binocular arrangement to change the focal range from greater than 20 ft. to seven (7) ft. with a depth of field spanning from 5 to 15 ft.

Abstract: A high-quality lens system (PL) is described, which system is rinsed with a gas having a low refractive index so as to reduce the influence of variations of ambient parameters on the optical behaviour. By adding a very small quantity of ozone to this gas, it is prevented that any deposit will be produced on the lens elements within the lens holder (PLH) as a result of decomposition of organic particles caused by UV radiation and precipitation of the decomposition products.

Abstract: A directional light screen and method of making the same are provided. The directional screen includes a plurality of transparent carrier members having opposing sides, the carrier members being arranged in a side-by-side manner. Thin lamellae can be placed between the carrier members, or the carrier members can be spaced by an air gap. The screen is mountable proximal to a light source. The screen directs light from the source in a direction generally parallel to the sides and lamellae. The sides can be smooth, roughened or contoured. Also, the lamellae can desirably be tinted, absorbing or reflective. Furthermore, the directional screen can be shaped to fully or partially surround a light source.

Abstract: It is the object of the invention to suppress noises caused by reflections of a ray of light from a light receiving surface of a photodiode chip and inner and outer surfaces of a glass in a semiconductor light receiving apparatus. A construction of a light receiving apparatus is that, a photodiode chip 4 is mounted on a carrier 2 fixed to a stem 1, and a chip 4 is sealed up by a cap 7, which is provided with an opening 7a covered with glass 8. A ray of light transmits through an opening 7a, and incidents on a light receiving surface of a chip 4. A light receiving surface of a chip 4 and an outer surface of a glass 8 are inclined to the optical axis, where directions of inclinations are different to each other. An angle of inclination of a chip 4 is selected such that reflected rays from a chip 4 does not incident on an opening 7a. Accordingly, there is no ray which returns to a light source (not shown), and generation of delayed incidences to a chip 4 can be prevented.

Abstract: A compound type cone mirror installed inside a sonde moving up and down in a borehole for observing the whole circumference of the hole wall at an arbitrary depth at a time, a combined mirror for locally observing the hole wall in detail, and an elevating sonde equipped with these mirrors are provided for observing the wall surface of a borehole In the ground. In the compound type cone mirror, a transparent truncated cone block the surface of which is finished by polishing is inserted into a concave portion or pierced hole having the same shape as said truncated cone block and formed coaxially in the axial direction in a transparent column block the surface of which is finished by polishing, and said inserting face is a mirror finished face. Moreover, in the combined mirror, a plane mirror slanted upward at 45.degree. to the axial direction is mounted onto the top face of the truncated cone block or column block of the compound type cone mirror.

Abstract: An electronic optical viewing wand capable of viewing an object in a confined space, such as a dental patient's mouth, using only ambient light. The wand can be held and the focused in one hand via a telescoping/sliding focusing casing. The focal distance is adjustable from about 5 mm to infinity without having to change lenses.

Abstract: There is described a vehicle door assembly with shear layer control for controlling the airflow in and around an aperture in the vehicle fuselage. The vehicle door assembly consists of an upper door and a lower door, both slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the vehicle fuselage. In addition, an inner door is slidably mounted beneath the upper door. Beneath the inner door is an aperture assembly having an aperture opening positionable to be substantially flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle fuselage. Also provided are means for positioning the aperture assembly in an upward and downward direction in relation to the vehicle fuselage.

Abstract: An adaptor for use in a video microscope system including a video monitor, a camera and a microscope. The adaptor comprises a hollow body portion including open top and bottom ends, said body portion having an interior surface; first means for coupling said top end to the camera; and second means for coupling said bottom end to the microscope. The microscope includes a base portion having a top surface opening and objective lens; wherein the bottom end of the adaptor is coupled to the top surface opening of the microscope. The adaptor transmits light directly from the objective lens to the camera without changing the direction of the light. The adaptor fits conventional and infinity corrected microscopes to convert the microscopes into dedicated video microscope systems. The video monitor is connected to the system to provide presentation of microscope object images to a group of observers. The system may additionally be interfaced with a computer system to add text and save images.

Abstract: An optic system is provided for a down hole camera. The system includes an elongated tubular housing constructed from thermal insulating material. A front lens group and rear lens group are mounted within the housing adjacent opposite ends. The front and rear lens groups are thermally isolated from one another through the provision of two spaced windows therebetween that extend across and seal a light pathway running through the tubular housing. Preferably, the windows are sealingly mounted within the housing so as to define a vacuum chamber therebetween within the wall of the housing.

Abstract: A telescope tracking device comprising an off-axis guider, a flip mirror image previewer, and an instrument port to attach an optical device for recording the image.

Abstract: Fabrication of devices of micron and submicron minimum feature size is accomplished by lithographic processing involving a back focal plane filter. A particularly important fabrication approach depends upon mask patterns which produce images based on discrimination as between scattered and unscattered radiation by accelerated electrons.