Afocal Attachment for Adjustable Telescope Magnification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telescopes lack flexibility in adjusting optical characteristics such as magnification and field-of-view, and do not provide additional information like infrared imaging or laser ranging without complex and costly modifications.
Innovation Solution
An afocal attachment system with adjustable lenses and a digital optics package that can be easily mounted in front of a telescope, allowing for adjustable magnification, field-of-view changes, and integration of features like infrared imaging and laser ranging, using a variety of mounting connections and mechanisms for precision alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional telescopes are used without modifications, then the structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the optical characteristics such as magnification and field-of-view cannot be adjusted and additional information like infrared imaging cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the telescope system into two independent parts: the original telescope and a separate afocal attachment. The afocal attachment contains adjustable lenses and digital optics packages that can be added or removed without modifying the telescope itself. This segmentation allows the telescope to maintain its simple structure while gaining adjustable optical characteristics through the detachable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The afocal attachment is designed as a universal device that can be mounted on different telescope types through various mounting connections (friction mount, thread and screw, bayonet mount, Picatinny rail). The attachment itself provides multiple functions including magnification adjustment, field-of-view changes, and integration of digital optics packages for infrared imaging and laser ranging, making a single device serve multiple purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex modifications are made to integrate additional features like infrared imaging or laser ranging, then adaptability and additional information capabilities are improved, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the additional information features (infrared imaging, laser ranging) into independent digital optics packages that can be optionally integrated into the afocal attachment. These packages are not permanently built into the telescope but can be added to the attachment as needed, allowing manufacturers to produce base models at lower cost while offering upgraded versions with additional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The afocal attachment serves as an intermediary device between the telescope and the additional information features. Rather than directly modifying the telescope to add infrared or laser capabilities, the attachment acts as a mediator that houses these features and interfaces with the telescope's optical path, simplifying manufacturing by isolating complex features in a separate, modular component.
3Ease of operation
If the afocal attachment is made movable for alignment adjustment, then ease of operation and alignment precision are improved, but device complexity and potential reliability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The afocal attachment is designed with pre-configured mounting mechanisms (friction mounts, threaded connections, bayonet mounts, Picatinny rails) that establish proper alignment before use. The movable components include adjustment mechanisms that allow preliminary alignment during setup, after which the attachment can be securely locked in position to maintain stable alignment during operation, preventing drift while preserving adjustability during installation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and cost-effective changes to optical characteristics, providing enhanced magnification and additional information like infrared overlays or laser ranging without requiring extensive reconfiguration of the telescope, while maintaining alignment and durability.
Implementation Method 1
A first lens is positioned at the receiving end of the optical channel and a second lens is positioned at the transmitting end of the optical channel
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes an afocal attachment that allows for alteration of received electromagnetic radiation (or “light”) prior to entry into the telescope. For example, a rifle scope may have a base magnification of 2×, and the afocal attachment may allow magnification of a received image at levels ranging from 2× to 4×. In this example, the entire telescope system with the afocal attachment installed will have an overall magnification of 4× to 8×. In another example, the magnification of the telescope can be increased, transforming a telescope with a 4× magnification into a telescope with a higher effective magnification. In some instances the afocal attachment's optical axis can be configured to permit independent adjustment, allowing for easy removal and reinstallation of the afocal attachment without a need to re-adjust the telescope itself.