Abstract: An eye piece focusing aid provides improved focusing of an eye onto an intensified image screen of a NVG. A lens cap or blocking screen has two small holes (approximately one to two millimeters in diameter) which appear as a single hole when the retina of the eye is focused on the intensified image screen.

Abstract: A beam-shaping element for converting a beam having an elliptical cross-section into a beam having a circular cross-section. This element has a cylindrical entrance surface and a toriodal exit surface and can be arranged close to a diode laser so that the risk of wavefront deviations due to defocusing is reduced. The element has a high coupling efficiency.

Abstract: An ultra-high, hermetically sealed optical mounting assembly for sealing a fragile optical element includes a lid portion defining a thin, bendable flange spring member to gradually and evenly apply a relatively low sealing load at a knife edge for grasping the optical element. A base portion defining a substantially non-bendable, mating flange surface defines a mating base, knife edge. A deformable metallic gasket is interposed between both knife edges and the optical element. An engineered gap between the opposed lid and base flanges and a second, optional gap between the lid and base nearest the window are used to control the amount of spring forces and the amount of compression on the window.

Abstract: A night vision sight is provided for use with a weapon, which includes an objective lens and a non-inverting image intensifier tube disposed along an optical axis, providing an intensified target image. The sight is focused by direct movement of the image intensifier tube relative to the fixed position of the objective lens. A reticle projector is disposed orthogonal to the optical axis and provides a collimated reticle image, the reticle image providing an aiming point for the weapon. The reticle image is superimposed over the target image, which are reflected into an eyepiece of the sight. The eyepiece has an axis between the optical axis and a sight line passing through a pre-existing sight provided with the weapon. Adjustment of the apparent position of the reticle to compensate for azimuth and elevation is accomplished by moving the reticle projector about crossed cylindrical bearings.

Abstract: A combined door knocker and viewer utilizes the from portion of the central breast plate area of the body of a door knocker as the forwardmost element of a lens system, permitting the viewer wide angle viewing of the area forward of the door undetected by the caller, who has no reason to suspect that the breast plate of the knocker coat-of-arms is also the front lens of a viewer.

Abstract: A cover slip for use in a microscope, which is employed for a water-immersed objective lens, is made of a transparent material with a refractive index, the difference between the refractive index of the transparent material and that of water being 0.02 or less.

Abstract: A mechanical coupler for connection to the eyepiece of an optical device. The coupler includes a body with an axially extending cylindrical wall that forms a socket with a spanning portion of the body. The cylindrical wall and body center and axially align the coupler and the eyepiece. A C-shaped clamping member has a central portion that is affixed to the wall and essentially tangentially extending free end portions that produce a side opening structure. When an eyepiece is inserted from the side, it wedges the free ends of the clamping member axially thereby producing internal restoring forces in the clamping member. When the eyepiece is seated in the socket, the free ends return toward a relaxed position and produce a clamping force that affixes the coupler axially to the eyepiece while permitting relative rotation between them.

Abstract: An articulated device for space vehicles, for example, for temporarily sealing the aperture of a space optical instrument. The device includes a fixed support element for mounting on the vehicle and an auxiliary element such as a temporary sealing flap mounted to pivot with respect to the fixed support element around a hinge axis between a first configuration (e.g. wherein the aperture is sealed) and a second configuration. The auxiliary element is attached, by a frangible controlled-break component for making temporary connections, to a hinge shaft whose rotation between the first and second configuration is controlled by an actuator. A torsional resilient return device is secured to the auxiliary element and to the shaft while resiliently biasing the auxiliary element to rotate it around the shaft in a predetermined direction. The shaft is substantially loosely engaged in journal bearings which are rigidly fastened to the auxiliary element.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to slits used in optics that must be precisely aligned and adjusted. The optical slits of the present invention are useful in x-ray optics, x-ray beam lines, optical systems in which the entrance slit is critical for high wavelength resolution. The invention is particularly useful in ultra high vacuum systems where lubricants are difficult to use and designs which avoid the movement of metal parts against one another are important, such as monochrometers for high wavelength resolution with ultra high vacuum systems. The invention further relates to optical systems in which temperature characteristics of the slit materials is important. The present invention yet additionally relates to precision slits wherein the opposing edges of the slit must be precisely moved relative to a center line between the edges with each edge retaining its parallel orientation with respect to the other edge and/or the center line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CFRP-made optical cylinder comprising, as the main CFRP layers, (a) CFRP layers containing a carbon fiber arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the cylinder axial direction and (b) CFRP layers containing a carbon fiber arranged in a direction making an angle of substantially.+-.(40.about.50) degree to the cylinder axial direction, in which cylinder at least 50% by weight of the carbon fiber arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the cylinder axial direction has a linear expansion coefficient of -1.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. or less and at least 50% by weight of the carbon fiber arranged in a direction making all angle of substantially.+-.(40.about.50) degree to the cylinder axial direction has a linear expansion coefficient of -1.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. or less, and which cylinder has a linear expansion coefficient of -0.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. to 0.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. in the axial direction.

Abstract: This device is characterized in that it includes removable indexing and locking devices of the light intensifier assembly on the stationary imager operating in combination with opening and closing control devices of a light shutter of said stationary imager in such a way that the locking or unlocking of the intensifier assembly simultaneously causes the opening or closing of shutter, and that all the operations can be carried out with one hand only and blindly.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus and method is disclosed wherein a stop having a rectangular opening is disposed in an illumination optical system and, through the function of this stop, a rectangular effective light source is defined on a pupil of a projection optical system. With light from this effective light source, longitudinal and transverse patterns of a reticle extending substantially along the configuration of the effective light source are illuminated. Zeroth order and first order diffraction light caused by these patterns is incident and distributed on the pupil so as to define thereon a rectangular configuration about the center of the pupil, and the longitudinal and transverse patterns are imaged with the diffraction light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical system which allows light below a given flce to pass but which blocks light above the given fluence so that a human viewer using the system is not harmed by high energy lasers directed at the system. The optical system concentrates incoming light at a first focal zone in a NLASM, or nonlinear absorbing or scattering material. During a time delay, the system reconcentrates the light at a second focal zone to which the plasma zone has had time to expand. The character and number of light concentrations in the NLASM can be varied to protect the human viewer from a wider range of harmful light fluences.

Abstract: A video system for use by a patient positioned in the bore of an MRI scanner includes a scope through which the patient can view a remote target area while a scan is being performed. A liquid crystal display system produces a color image at the target area which can be manipulated with a computer to perform MRI brain function experiments or tests.

Abstract: A compact Galilean-type zoom finder suitable for compact cameras, and the like whose zoom ratio is about 2. The zoom finder is comprised of four units having negative, negative, positive and negative refractive powers in order from an object side and a movable framing window. The first and the fourth lens units are fixed and the second and the third lens units are moved to perform zooming. The moving framing window helps to delineate the field of view.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring hair in a predefined area of skin. The method addresses the preparation of the skin and the device for counting the hairs in a defined area. The apparatus contains an optical magnifying lens, a housing for the lens and an aperture of known surface area in order to calculate the density of the hair in the portion of skin under measurement. When the method or apparatus are used, the end result will be a density measurement of hair per unit area. When this measurement is compared with similar measurements in the same area from a previous time or from a different area at the same time, a diagnosis of whether hair loss is occurring can be made with considerable accuracy. Similar applications can be made in areas where treatment suggests that hair loss has ceased or reversed through some intervention.

Abstract: An improved double-lensed viewing system having a first lens or shield formed of shatterproof glass or plastic and mounted at an angle of at least 05.degree. from the vertical, together with a second lens or shield formed of partially opaque material mounted in optical alignment with the first lens or shield and extending parallel to the vertical.

Abstract: A light intensifying device for use with cameras, telescopes, and other optical devices. The lightweight device can be easily manufactured and assembled from molded components of high durability plastic. When used as an attachment with cameras or telescopes the device will provide greater quantities of of light to allow for greater magnification and better image resolution for distant objects. The device will double the amount of light and can be used in conjunction with a camera focal length doubler which doubles the focal length but decreases the light by one half.

Abstract: A flexible light conduit which preserves the coherence of a transmitted beam. Several conduit elements having optical elements mounted inside each one are connected together to form a chain. Each conduit element is tiltably coupled to each adjacent conduit element in the chain. The optical elements may be refractive or reflective. The conduit preserves the spatial coherence properties of the beam so the input image is reimaged at a distant place, having passed through the series of relay optical elements through the angles permitted by the coupling members.

Abstract: A waterproof lens including a lens frame located within a lens barrel. An inner peripheral flange is provided on the inner periphery of the lens barrel. The waterproof lens also has a tubular member which is detachably mounted to the inner peripheral flange for the purpose of intercepting light in a space between the lens barrel and the lens frame. An elastic waterproof ring is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member. The waterproof lens further includes a mechanism for sealing the transparent member and the inner peripheral flange in a water-tight manner.

Abstract: An optical system useful, e.g., for near-field scanning optical microscopy is provided. The system incorporates a probe having improved properties. In one embodiment, the probe comprises a tapered and partially metallized portion of a single-mode optical fiber.

Abstract: A dynamic laser diode aperture for collimating light from a laser diode within an optical scanner which increases the power of the beam to a predetermined maximum. The optical scanner includes a motor having a hollow circular shaft through which the light passes. A lens member focuses the light, and the dynamic aperture, located within a cap member within an end of the motor shaft closest to the laser, collimates the focused light. The dynamic aperture approximates the shape of the unfocused light pattern from the laser diode. In the preferred embodiment, the dynamic aperture is generally rectangular in shape and rotates with the motor shaft.

Abstract: A tubular stroboscope is interposed in the line of sight between a viewing glass and a process to be viewed in a chamber. The stroboscope is rotated about a central axis transverse to the line of sight and has a pair of diametrically opposed slots parallel to said axis, one slot being substantially wider than the opposite slot. The stroboscope is preferably driven by a jet of inert gas acting on a drive wheel inside the chamber, aspiration means being provided for dust removal.

Abstract: A light shutter device having a plurality of chips of PLZT as arranged in a row and a transparent substrate to which the chips attached. Between each chip and the transparent substrate, a pair of spacing regulating members are provided as spaced by a distance not smaller than a width of a light transmitting portion of the chip. The chip is bonded to the transparent substrate with an adhesive at portions outside the pair of spacing regulating members.

Abstract: A device for use in a centrifuge to automatically prepare microscope slide specimens from samples of body fluids. A centrifuge tube and specimen slide are formed integrally in a unitary device. A lens clearance section is provided as a planar surface to avoid interference between the device and the rotatable lenses of a turret microscope while the device is in viewing position on the microscope stage. The device is constructed to minimize packing of sediment and other constituent elements of the sample at the entrance to the slide member and is so configured as to admit of a step during the centrifuge process which flexes the slide member to enhance the distribution of cells deposited therein.

Abstract: Device for the assembly and movement control of a mobile element that moves with respect to a support between two extreme positions, characterized in that it includes an arm pivotable around a rotation axis which supports the mobile element; an elastic torsion rod aligned along the axis, secured respectively to the arm and to the support at axially offset points; two mechanical stops mounted on the support which determine two extreme angular configurations of the arm in which the element is in its extreme positions, the elastic torsion rod tending to bring the arm into a predetermined one of these configurations; two pairs of complementary magnetic latching elements mounted, respectively, on the support and on the arm, the complementary units of either pair being adapted to be opposite when the arm is in one or the other of the extreme configurations; and launching members mounted on the support designed to give a launching impetus to the arm from each to the other of the extreme configurations.

Abstract: A new coronagraph sufficiently increases the contrast ratio between the infrared image of a nonsolar star and a possible orbiting nonsolar planet to make imaging of such a planet possible. The coronagraph is used with an infrared telescope system having a square objective or aperture. Unwanted stellar irradiance is diffracted orthogonally by the square telescope aperture or objective so that a coronagraph apodizer in the first focal plane in the shape of crossed arms, and a coronagraph Lyot stop in the pupil plane with a square opening, stop most of the on-axis direct and diffracted stellar energy while allowing most of the planet irradiance to pass through the coronagraph. The discarded light reflected from the back of the apodizer can be used to provide information concerning piston and tilt errors of individual segments of a segmented telescope so that an array of correcting piston-tilt mirrors can be controlled to align the telescope.

Abstract: A sanitary sight indicator for viewing the contents of a production process is provided. The sanitary sight indicator includes a body, an optical unit, and a sanitary connection between the body and the optical unit. The body includes a process-interfacing portion which is adapted to interface with the production process and an optical-interfacing portion which interfaces with the optical unit. The optical unit includes a viewing portion for viewing the contents of the production process and a body-interfacing portion which interfaces with the optical-interfacing portion of the body. The sanitary connection includes a sanitary gasket having a substantially flat annular portion, and first and second annular projections which are approximately semi-circular in cross-sectional shape and which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the annular portion. The sanitary connection further includes a sanitary gasket-groove in each of the optical unit-interfacing portion and the body-interfacing portion.

Abstract: For an optical sensor having a cylindrical housing and mounted on the houg axis, a mounting plug which carries a detector diode and detector amlifier, threadedly engages the housing, and temporarily engages a removeable adjusting tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing the atomization of liquid metal is disclosed. A nozzle for atomizing liquid metal having a cylindrical plenum, and a melt guide tube extending axially therethrough to a melt exit orifice. The plenum defines an inner chamber coupled with an atomizing gas orifice spaced from the exit orifice and configured to provide an annular jet of atomizing gas converging in an atomizing zone extending below the exit orifice The plenum having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall defining the inner chamber therebetween. The inner sidewall extends below the exit orifice so that the inner sidewall is spaced from the atomizing zone. A cylindrical sleeve extends through the outer sidewall to a first end in the inner chamber. A camera mounted in the sleeve has a field of view extending from the first end. A transparent window is mounted to seal the first end. The sleeve is positioned so the field of view extends through the atomization zone.

Abstract: A device is provided for expanding, reshaping, modifying the intensity distribution and projecting a beam of radiation such as light. The present invention comprises a four sided, internally mirrored tube of polygonal (i.e., rectangular) cross-section wherein the cross-sectional area of the tube expands (generally linearly) with respect to tube length from a first end to a second end. The first end of the tube is associated with a plano-concave (or equivalent) lens and the second end of the tube is associated with a generally flat pane exit optic which includes optical edging for refracting perimeter rays back into the desired field of view. A practical application for the present invention is laser photogrammetry wherein typically it is desired (1) to expand a laser beam of circular cross-section, (2) to reshape the beam into a desired cross-section, usually rectangular, and (3) to project the reshaped beam upon a distant surface.

Abstract: A doorscope comprising an inner tube which encases two sets of lenses, the one set being the object lens set, encased in the outer, or external portion of the doorscope, and composed of two opposed and adjacent concave lenses, and the other lens being an ocular lens of a convex design, and encased in the internal portion of the inner tube. An outer tube is screwed onto the inner tube, and, having a retaining flange on its outer end, holds the doorscope firmly against the outer surface of the door. An adjusting tube, having an enlarged diameter, milled surface area, is screwed onto the inner, or interior end of the inner tube, and is tightened against the inner surface of the door, using the milled gripping surface, thereby requiring no tools To prevent danger to the viewer when placing their eye against the doorscope, a rubberized hood is affixed onto the inwardly protruding end of the adjusting tube, thereby allowing the viewer to place their eye against the doorscope without danger to the eye.

Abstract: A sight glass assembly generally consisting of a first housing section having an opening therethrough mountable on a vessel wall, a second vessel section having an opening therethrough registrable with the first housing section opening when the first housing section is disposed in assembled relation with the second housing section, a pair of lenses disposed in the housing sections across the openings thereof, provided with beveled surfaces along the mating surfaces thereof, a packing member disposed between annular side walls of the lenses and the housing sections, and means for urging the housing sections together to compress the packing material and cause it to expand laterally to place the lenses in radial compression to maintain their structural integrity upon being fractured.

Abstract: A precision slit of adjustable width in which each slit jaw is guided via at least two guide parallelograms lying opposite each other and in which a single setting member acting jointly on the guide parallelograms of one side and displaceable perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slit jaws is provided for the setting of slit width. In a preferred embodiment, the guide parallelograms are developed as spring parallelograms, an embodiment prepared monolithically from a plate of compliant material and having particular advantages.

Abstract: An emergency visual assurance apparatus for an aircraft cockpit comprises an inflatable enclosure having inflated and deflated states. The enclosure is adapted to fill the visual path between a pilot and an instrument panel and/or a windshield of an aircraft when in the inflated state. The inflatable enclosure includes windows for permitting the pilot to see through the enclosure, thereby enabling the pilot a clear path of visibility to the instrument panel and/or the windshield during a smoke emergency in the cockpit. A blower is provided for inflating the inflatable enclosure with transparent fluid during an emergency to maintain the visual path between the pilot and the instrument panel and/or the windshield. A separable member is associated with the blower such its removal activates the blower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CFRP-made optical cylinder comprising (a) CFRP layers containing a carbon fiber arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the cylinder axial direction and (b) CFRP layers containing a carbon fiber arranged in a direction nearly orthogonal to the cylinder axial direction, in which cylinder the carbon fiber arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the cylinder axial direction has a minus thermal expansion coefficient and the cylinder axial direction has a thermal expansion coefficient of -0.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. to 0.5.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. In the present optical cylinder, a sharp image can be maintained without making the correction of the optical axis even when the atmospheric temperature changes largely.

Abstract: Aerodynamic window for a gas laser, whose active chamber emits a focussed ser beam and is flow connected by means of a beam passage opening with a window chamber connected to a vacuum pump and which has a beam exit opening in an outer area which is preferably under atmospheric pressure. In order to reduce the pumping power necessary for the aerodynamic window and improve the laser beam quality, the window is so constructed that the laser beam emitted by the active chamber has a first focus in the vicinity of the beam passage opening and is deflected onto a focussing mirror arranged in the window chamber and which gives the laser beam leaving the latter a second focus located in the vicinity of the beam exit opening.

Abstract: Viewer apparatus for object sorting machines and illumination system for such viewers, the viewer in one embodiment having a housing with a viewing device and a light source mounted therein and an opening through which objects to be sorted pass, with one or more reflectors disposed in the housing to reflect light onto portions of the object.

Abstract: An elongated enclosure includes a number of apertures through which a film must be precisely viewed. A slider receives a removable film holder into which a film, such as a 35 mm slide is positioned. A precision recirculating bearing assembly provides accurate and smooth motion of the slider within the housing. A number of alignment components are located in the device to repeatedly and accurately position the film, relative to the apertures. Thus, a laser beam or optical axis can repeatedly and precisely pass through the same point of the image as it appears in a corresponding aperture.

Abstract: An exposure mechanism having a hole pattern for forming a resist pattern to be used in a photolithography process when a semiconductor device is fabricated, the hole pattern including a central light transmitting portion provided on a transparent substrate, through which exposed light can pass, a plurality of slit-shaped light transmitting portions provided around the central light transmitting portion, and a light intercepting portion provided on the transparent substrate for forming the central light transmitting portion and the slit-shaped light transmitting portions.

Abstract: An entrance slit and exit slit of a monochromator is shaped so that the width of the slits becomes smaller from the center towards the ends of their height, where the width is a dimension in the direction of the separation of the light in the monochromator. An example of such shape is rhombic. When the total amount of light emitted from the monochromator and the resolution of the monochromator are set to be the same, the efficiency of light in measuring small samples is increased and the ratio of stray light in the light emitted from the monochromator becomes smaller.

Abstract: A nanometer dimension light source includes a source of excitation and an active, electrooptic or chemilluminescent material such as crystalline anthracene. The material is introduced into a confined space having molecular dimensions or is shaped to a point of molecular dimensions. The material is surrounded by an insulator such as a glass pipette which also forms the confined space and which also serves as a reflector for radiation produced in the material. An electric field is imposed on the active medium, injecting holes and electrons which recombine to produce light within the small dimensions of the pipette.

Abstract: A novel aquatic viewing apparatus is provided for placement on the face of a user which comprises a transparent member positioned in an annular structure of closed cell plastic foam having an inside cylindrical wall and an outside cylindrical wall connected by transverse end walls at either end thereof and the apparatus is capable of supporting the head of a user while in water.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for metal plating a substrate. The apparatus includes a chamber adapted to receive metal carbonyl gas. The chamber includes an infrared transparent window. The infrared transparent window has a cooling passage filled with liquid coolant. The liquid coolant has a temperature below which decomposition of the metal carbonyl gas occurs. The liquid coolant prevents decomposition of the metal carbonyl gas on the infrared transparent window. The liquid coolant also is substantially infrared transparent for allowing infrared radiation through the infrared transparent window and cooling passage into the chamber. An infrared radiation source sends infrared radiation into the chamber through the infrared transparent window and cooling passage to heat the substrate to a temperature at which decomposition of the metal carbonyl gas occurs.

Abstract: A door viewer includes two prisms of rectangular isosceles triangle shape in cross section whose hypotenuse surface abut horizontally, a front convex lens and a plano-convex eyepiece lens. The front convex lens has a front concave surface and a rear convex surface to correct chromatic aberration. The convex surfaces of the front and eyepiece lens are positioned face to face with each other to correct barrel distortion. The view casts an image onto a ground glass section formed on or provided abutting the eyepiece lens.

Abstract: An IR detector mounted in a sensor housing is provided to replace an aerial amera boresighted with the guns on an attack helicopter. No modification of the aircraft is required and the sensor housing is uniquely adapted for adjustments in azimuth and elevation and to resist vibration effects on the sensor housing and detector.

Abstract: The use of single crystal MgF.sub.2 material as a window for missile systems has at least the advantages of having superior transmission for both the UV and IR wavelength regions, being stable in sunlight, having a low refractive index, thereby eliminating the necessity for anti-reflection coatings, being unaffected by water, therefore eliminating the need to provide wetness protection, having the mechanical strength to match the applicable usage, being able to be fabricated without excessive complication, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while assuring a high quality product, generating low scatter and being readily available from multiple domestic sources.

Abstract: A protective cap for the ocular of a periscope in a combat vehicle. A wrapping encloses expanded plastic and leaves a viewing cutout uncovered. Controls and/or electrical equipment are integrated into the wrapping in order to save space inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A sealed focusing assembly for an industrial vision system according to the present invention is comprised of a main housing in threaded contact with an adjustment ring, and in rotatable contact with a lens sleeve. An O-ring functions to frictionally prevent the lens sleeve from rotating as the assembly is focused by rotation of the adjustment ring and the lens sleeve is axially advanced. The O-ring also functions to form a gaseous-tight seal within the focusing assembly. The use of an additional O-ring provides the assembly with superior seal integrity.

Abstract: A thermal camera is mounted within a helmet and is arranged such that the optical path in free space from its output is wholly within the volume defined by the helmet and the helmet faceplate. The output iminges on a concave mirror/lens combination located below the wearer's sightline. The arrangement is particularly suitable for fire fighting and search and rescue applications.