Underwater optical air lens

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of optical elements, and particularly provides an underwater optical air lens, which comprises an air lens body, an air bag internally storing high-pressure air and being communicated with the air lens body, an air pressure sensor for detecting an air pressure change value in the air lens body, and an air pressure balance valve for reading the air pressure change value and performing a switching action of the air lens body and the air bag. The air pressure change value in the air lens body is read by the air pressure sensor, the air pressure balance valve reads the air pressure change value and performs an action of opening the switch, so that the high-pressure air in the air bag is supplemented into the air lens body. On the one hand, the air pressure in the air lens body can be in a dynamic balance state with the water pressure outside the air lens body rising with the water level falling, thereby reducing the deformation of the air lens body caused by the water pressure; on the other hand, the difference between the refractive indexes of the air lens body and the water body is improved, which is beneficial to improving the function of the optical lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of optical elements, and specifically provides an underwater optical air lens. Background Technology

[0002] Underwater imaging quality is affected by many factors, including forward and backward scattering of water, optical absorption characteristics of water, water turbulence, underwater pressure, and absorption characteristics of natural light sources. Strong underwater absorption weakens the underwater signal, and turbulence can cause image distortion. In particular, existing underwater imaging elements are easily deformed by water pressure, affecting image quality. Furthermore, the refractive index of water is close to that of the matrix optical material, making it difficult to achieve the function of an optical lens and potentially leading to optical system failure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides an underwater optical air lens, the purpose of which is to reduce the deformation of the lens caused by water pressure and increase the difference in refractive index between the water and the lens.

[0004] The present invention provides an underwater optical air lens, comprising: an air lens body, an air bladder containing high-pressure air and communicating with the air lens body, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure changes within the air lens body, and a pressure balancing valve for reading the pressure changes and performing a switching action to connect the air lens body to the air bladder.

[0005] Preferably, the pressure balancing valve is an electronically controlled mechanical ball valve.

[0006] Preferably, the air lens body includes a planar transparent optical glass, a concave transparent optical glass, and a connecting ring, with the outer edges of the planar transparent optical glass and the concave transparent optical glass respectively connected to both sides of the connecting ring.

[0007] Preferably, the planar transparent optical glass has multiple equidistant vertical and horizontal scale lines.

[0008] Preferably, the connecting ring, the planar transparent optical glass, and the concave transparent optical glass form a lens receiving cavity for accommodating air; the airbag includes an airbag body and a connecting post, the connecting post connecting the inner cavity of the airbag body and the lens receiving cavity.

[0009] Preferably, the air pressure sensor is installed at one end of the connecting post located in the lens accommodating cavity, and the air pressure balancing valve is installed in the middle of the connecting post.

[0010] Preferably, the airbag body is cylindrical.

[0011] Preferably, the front view of the air lens body is circular.

[0012] Preferably, the airbag body and the connecting column are made of non-deformable material.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0014] This application discloses an underwater optical air lens, comprising: an air lens body, an air bladder storing high-pressure air and connected to the air lens body, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure changes within the air lens body, and a pressure balancing valve for reading the pressure changes and switching the air lens body and the air bladder connected. The pressure sensor detects the pressure within the air lens body. As the water depth increases, the pressure on the air lens body increases. The pressure sensor reads the pressure change within the air lens body, and the pressure balancing valve opens, allowing high-pressure air from the air bladder to replenish the air lens body. Therefore, on the one hand, the air pressure within the air lens body and the rising water pressure outside the air lens body as the water level drops can be dynamically balanced, thereby reducing deformation of the air lens body caused by water pressure; on the other hand, the difference in refractive index between the air lens body and the water is increased, which is beneficial for improving the function of the optical lens. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a front view of the underwater optical air lens provided according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a side view structural schematic diagram of the underwater optical air lens provided in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an underwater optical air lens provided according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 a is a schematic diagram of the refraction path of a photon after refraction through water and air according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 b is a schematic diagram of the refraction path of photons after refraction through water and optical glass according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0020] The reference numerals in the figures include:

[0021] 100-Underwater optical air lens; 10-Air lens body; 11-Flat transparent optical glass; 12-Concave transparent optical glass; 13-Connecting ring; 14-Vertical scale line; 15-Horizontal scale line; 20-Airbag; 21-Airbag body; 22-Connecting column; 30-Air pressure sensor; 40-Air pressure balance valve. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description below, the same modules are denoted by the same reference numerals. Where the same reference numerals are used, their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, their detailed description will not be repeated.

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] An underwater optical air lens 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, it includes: an air lens body 10, an air bladder 20 that stores high-pressure air and is connected to the air lens body 10, a pressure sensor 30 for detecting the pressure change value inside the air lens body 10, and a pressure balancing valve 40 for reading the pressure change value and performing a switching action to connect the air lens body 10 and the air bladder 20.

[0026] The above refers to the detection of air pressure value inside the air lens body 10 by the air pressure sensor 30. When the pressure of the water body on the air lens body 10 increases with the increase of the water depth, the air pressure sensor 30 reads the air pressure change value inside the air lens body 10, and the air pressure balance valve 40 performs the action of opening the switch, thereby allowing the high-pressure air in the airbag 20 to replenish the air lens body 10.

[0027] On the one hand, it can make the air pressure inside the air lens body 10 and the water pressure outside the air lens body 10 rise as the water level drops to a dynamic equilibrium state, thereby reducing the deformation of the air lens body 10 caused by water pressure.

[0028] Specifically, when the air lens body 10 deforms under external water pressure, the pressure sensor 30 reads the pressure change value and sends it to the pressure balancing valve 40 via an electrical signal. The pressure balancing valve 40, by opening or closing the valve, replenishes the air lens body 10 with high-pressure gas from the airbag 20, thereby controlling the dynamic balance between the internal gas pressure of the air lens body 10 and the external water pressure. It is understood that the value of the high-pressure gas replenished from the airbag 20 corresponds to the pressure change value read by the pressure sensor 30. When the pressure balancing valve 40 replenishes the air lens body 10 with gas, the pressure sensor 30 does not read the pressure change value inside the air lens body 10.

[0029] When photons propagate through water-optical glass-water, the ability to concentrate photons is relatively small because the refractive indices of water and optical glass are similar. Figure 4 As shown in b. In this embodiment, when the air lens body 10 propagates photons underwater, the photons travel through water-air-water. Due to the large difference in optical refractive index between water and air, such as... Figure 4 As shown in a, the air lens body 10 of this embodiment has a large photon focusing capability.

[0030] The air lens body 10, made of transparent optical material, enables light to converge in water and identifies and judges the light emitted by distant targets. The large difference between the refractive index of the air and the refractive index of the water in the air lens body 10 helps to better converge photons.

[0031] Understandably, water typically has a refractive index of about 1.33, while the refractive index of alumina, a commonly used optical material, is about 1.3. Therefore, photons have difficulty undergoing effective optical refraction between the two. Air, on the other hand, has a refractive index of about 1, resulting in significant refraction when photons pass between water and air.

[0032] Therefore, the underwater optical air lens 100 of this embodiment increases the difference in refractive index between the air lens body 10 and the water body, which is beneficial to improving the function of the optical lens and enabling underwater large-aperture photoelectric imaging detection. The underwater optical air lens 100 of this embodiment is an inverse refractive index air lens, and based on this underwater optical air lens 100, the underwater imaging distance and spatial resolution are improved, realizing a technical means for long-distance ultra-high resolution real-time detection and imaging of underwater targets.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pressure balancing valve 40 is an electronically controlled mechanical ball valve.

[0034] In this embodiment, the electronically controlled mechanical ball valve can be an electric ball valve. Electric ball valves have a simple structure, consisting of only a few parts, resulting in lower material consumption. They are small in size, lightweight, and have a small installation dimension. They also have low driving torque, making them easy and quick to operate, requiring only a 90° rotation to open and close quickly. Furthermore, they possess excellent flow regulation and sealing characteristics. In applications with large and medium diameters and low to medium pressures, electric ball valves are the dominant valve type. When the electric ball valve is in the fully open position, the thickness of the butterfly plate represents the resistance of the medium flowing through the valve body. Therefore, the pressure drop generated by the valve is very small, resulting in good flow control characteristics.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air lens body 10 includes a planar transparent optical glass 11, a concave transparent optical glass 12, and a connecting ring 13, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the two sides of the connecting ring 13 are respectively connected to the outer edges of the planar transparent optical glass 11 and the concave transparent optical glass 12.

[0036] The above refers to the fact that the two sides of the connecting ring 13 are respectively connected to the outer edges of the planar transparent optical glass 11 and the concave transparent optical glass 12. Thus, the planar transparent optical glass 11, the concave transparent optical glass 12 and the connecting ring 13 together constitute the air lens body 10, which can be used to contain the air medium.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the planar transparent optical glass 11 is provided with multiple equidistant vertical scale lines 14 and horizontal scale lines 15.

[0038] As described above, the planar transparent optical glass 11 has multiple parallel vertical scale lines 14 and multiple parallel horizontal scale lines 15. It can be understood that the vertical scale lines 14 and the horizontal scale lines 15 are perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the vertical scale lines 14 and the horizontal scale lines 15 form a 3-division line, which is used to divide and identify photons.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] In this embodiment, based on embodiment 1, as follows: Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the connecting ring 13, the planar transparent optical glass 11, and the concave transparent optical glass 12 form a lens receiving cavity for accommodating air; the airbag 20 includes an airbag body 21 and a connecting post 22, the connecting post 22 connecting the inner cavity of the airbag body 21 and the lens receiving cavity.

[0041] As described above, the concave transparent optical glass 12, the connecting ring 13, and the flat transparent optical glass 11 form a lens housing cavity for containing air. It can be understood that the lens housing cavity forms an air passage, and when photons pass through the air lens body 10, they are successively converted by the propagation medium of the flat transparent optical glass 11, air, and concave transparent optical glass 12.

[0042] The airbag body 21 is connected to the lens receiving cavity via a connecting post 22. The connecting post 22 is a hollow tube used to introduce high-pressure air from the airbag body 21 into the lens receiving cavity.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air pressure sensor 30 is installed at one end of the connecting post 22 located in the lens accommodating cavity, and the air pressure balancing valve 40 is installed in the middle of the connecting post 22.

[0044] As described above, the pressure sensor 30 is mounted on the connecting post 22. Specifically, the pressure sensor 30 is mounted at one end of the connecting post 22 that connects to the lens receiving cavity. The pressure sensor 30 is used to detect the air pressure value inside the lens receiving cavity. The pressure balancing valve 40 is mounted in the middle of the connecting post 22. The pressure sensor 30 is connected to the pressure balancing valve 40. The pressure sensor 30 transmits air pressure changes to the pressure balancing valve 40, which receives the air pressure change value and performs the action of opening or closing the valve. The other end of the connecting post 22 is mounted on the lens receiving cavity.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the airbag body 21 is cylindrical.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front view of the air lens body 10 is circular.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the airbag body 21 is a stainless steel airbag body 21.

[0048] As mentioned above, in order to prevent the airbag body 21 from being deformed by water pressure, the airbag body 21 is made of stainless steel.

[0049] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0050] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An underwater optical air lens, characterized in that, include: An air lens body, an air bladder that stores high-pressure air and is connected to the air lens body, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure changes within the air lens body, and a pressure balancing valve for reading the pressure changes and performing a switching action to connect the air lens body to the air bladder. The air pressure balancing valve replenishes the high-pressure gas in the airbag to the air lens body by opening or closing the valve, thereby controlling the dynamic balance between the internal gas pressure of the air lens body and the external water pressure. The air lens body includes a planar transparent optical glass, a concave transparent optical glass, and a connecting ring. The two sides of the connecting ring are respectively connected to the outer edges of the planar transparent optical glass and the concave transparent optical glass. The planar transparent optical glass has multiple equidistant vertical and horizontal scale lines, which together form a three-division line for dividing and identifying photons. When the air lens body propagates photons underwater, the photons travel through water-air-water.

2. The underwater optical air lens as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure balancing valve is an electronically controlled mechanical ball valve.

3. The underwater optical air lens as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting ring, the planar transparent optical glass, and the concave transparent optical glass form a lens receiving cavity for accommodating air; the airbag includes an airbag body and a connecting post, the connecting post connecting the inner cavity of the airbag body and the lens receiving cavity.

4. The underwater optical air lens as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The air pressure sensor is installed at one end of the connecting post located in the lens accommodating cavity, and the air pressure balancing valve is installed in the middle of the connecting post.

5. The underwater optical air lens as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The airbag body is cylindrical.

6. The underwater optical air lens as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The front view of the air lens body is circular.

7. The underwater optical air lens as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The airbag body is made of stainless steel.

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