Imaging Device Intermediate Pupil Beam Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices with wide input fields face challenges in forming complete images without missing bands, as detectors cannot be arranged edge-to-edge due to frame thickness, and existing duplication systems are either too small or cumbersome, leading to radiation cutoff and reduced contrast.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with an afocal system that produces an intermediate pupil, allowing a smaller beam splitter system to divide the primary beam into secondary beams, which are then directed to separate imaging channels, enabling complementary image capture by detectors without adjacent placement, thus avoiding missing bands and improving contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If detectors are arranged edge-to-edge in the same imaging plane, then the device structure is simplified, but missing image bands occur due to frame thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement of detectors in the same imaging plane to a three-dimensional configuration using multiple image formation planes. The first detector is placed in a first image formation plane and the second detector in a second image formation plane, allowing detectors to capture adjacent image portions without overlapping frames blocking the optical path. This dimensional transition eliminates the missing image band problem while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Loss of information
If an existing duplication system is used to create multiple image formation planes, then complete images can be formed, but the system becomes too cumbersome for available spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of creating multiple image formation planes from complex duplication systems and implements it through a simplified optical configuration. By using a beam splitter to divide the radiation beam into first and second beams that form images in separate planes, the patent achieves complete image formation without the cumbersome structures of conventional duplication systems, making the device suitable for space-constrained applications.
3Device complexity
If a small duplication system is used, then space is saved, but radiation is cut off and image completeness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radiation beam into multiple beams using a beam splitter, with each beam directed to a separate image formation plane. This segmentation allows the optical system to maintain a compact size while capturing the complete radiation field, as each detector receives its designated portion of the radiation without interference or cutoff from other components.
4Loss of information
If multiple mirrors are used for image plane duplication, then complete images can be formed, but radiation reaches wrong detectors and contrast is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary element that precisely directs different portions of the radiation beam to appropriate image formation planes. This intermediary ensures that radiation intended for one detector does not reach another detector, maintaining high image contrast while achieving complete image formation through the multi-plane configuration.
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 the capture of complete images with increased contrast and reduced bulkiness, allowing for a single shot to cover the entire scene without missing bands, and supports larger angular apertures, making it suitable for diverse applications like satellite imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter which divides the primary beam into a plurality of secondary beams
Implementation Method 2
image portion detectors, each of which is associated with one of the imaging systems and is arranged to capture the image of a portion of the scene
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An imaging device for forming an image of a distant scene comprises an afocal system (5, 6), a beam splitter system (2), and several imaging channels (3) associated with their respective detectors (4). The afocal system produces an intermediate pupil that is smaller than an entrance pupil of the device, and the beam splitter is placed within this intermediate pupil. Such a device provides a complete image of a wide scene by juxtaposing and/or superimposing image portions captured by different detectors. In particular, the complete image can be divided both lengthwise and widthwise without any missing image bands, so that a large scene can be captured entirely in a single shot along two perpendicular directions.