Patents Assigned to Meade Instruments Corp.
  • Patent number: 7408706
    Abstract: A substantially neutral filter across the white-light spectrum is obtained by minimizing the wavelength-dependent effects of filtering components and of reflective coatings on surfaces. The incoming light is captured by a first prism and directed toward the interface formed by the optical contact of a second prism with a face of the first prism, where the light is partially reflected internally and partially transmitted into the second prism. The reflected light is further reflected internally and directed toward the image surface out of the first prism. The fraction of light transmitted into the second prism is reflected back and redirected out of the system toward the incoming beam. The amount of energy directed toward the image plane is controlled by the judicious selection of the refractive indices in the two materials at the contacting interface of the first and second prisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Meade Instruments Corp.
    Inventor: David Lunt
  • Patent number: 7230754
    Abstract: A substantially neutral filter across the white-light spectrum is obtained by minimizing the wavelength-dependent effects of filtering components and of reflective coatings on surfaces. The incoming light is captured by a first prism and directed toward the interface formed by the optical contact of a second prism with a face of the first prism, where the light is partially reflected internally and partially transmitted into the second prism. The reflected light is further reflected internally and directed toward the image surface out of the first prism. The fraction of light transmitted into the second prism is reflected back and redirected out of the system toward the incoming beam. The amount of energy directed toward the image plane is controlled by the judicious selection of the refractive indices in the two materials at the contacting interface of the first and second prisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Meade Instruments Corp.
    Inventor: David Lunt
  • Patent number: 6563636
    Abstract: A telescope system has an intelligent motor controller for accurately controlling telescope position to facilitate location of celestial objects and to precisely control the speed at which the telescope moves to facilitate tracking of celestial objects. An optical encoder utilizes two photodetectors to provide enhanced servo control of the telescope positioning motors, a calibration circuit eliminates a need to test LED's during assembly of the optical encoder and a brushless mount provides electrical communication to an altitude drive motor located in a fork thereof in a manner which mitigates problems due to undesirable wrapping of an electrical cable around the mount as the mount rotates in azimuth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Meade Instruments, Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Baun, Brian G. Tingey, Stanley H. Dewan
  • Patent number: D502201
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Meade Instruments Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Hines, Andres Dandler, Jaime Canedo
  • Patent number: D502481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Meade Instruments Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Hines, Andres Dandler, Jaime Canedo
  • Patent number: D496672
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Meade Instruments Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Hines, Andres Dandler, Jaime Canedo
  • Patent number: D496673
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Meade Instruments Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Hines, Andres Dandler
  • Patent number: D412920
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Meade Instruments Corp.
    Inventors: John C. Diebel, John E. Smith, Clair A. Samhammer, David M. Hines