Optical Bypass Device Using Prisms for Unobstructed Night Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current night vision systems combining image intensification and thermal imaging face issues such as obstruction of the field of view, reduced sensitivity, and inability to use in daylight due to the complexity and weight of existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
An optical bypass device using a pair of prisms with separated capture and exit apertures and a projector that projects light between the exit apertures, allowing unobstructed light passage and combining images without reducing sensitivity, and enabling operation across extended wavelength ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a light turning element is used to combine thermal imager and image intensifier images, then image combination is achieved, but the field of view of the image intensifier is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: the image intensifier tube for visible light capture, the thermal imager for infrared capture, and the projector for overlaying thermal images. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with its own optimized optical path, eliminating field of view obstruction while maintaining image combination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The projector acts as an intermediary device that captures thermal images separately and projects them as an overlay on the visible image from the image intensifier. This mediator approach allows thermal image integration without requiring direct optical path sharing, thus preventing field of view obstruction
2Adaptability or versatility
If the projector is positioned to project light through the aperture, then additional light can be combined, but the sensitivity of the image intensifier is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical paths are segmented into separate channels: visible light enters the image intensifier through its dedicated aperture, while thermal images are captured separately by the thermal imager and projected as an overlay. This segmentation ensures that the projector does not compete for the same optical path, maintaining image intensifier sensitivity while enabling light combination
Solution Approach 2:
The projector serves as an intermediary that adds thermal image information as a separate layer rather than mixing it with visible light in the same optical path. This approach combines additional light information without reducing the sensitivity of the image intensifier to visible light
3Reliability
If a clip on attachment with thermal imager is added to image intensifier, then night vision performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a main image intensifier unit and a separate clip-on attachment containing the thermal imager and projector. This modular segmentation allows the thermal imaging capability to be added without redesigning the entire system, improving night vision performance while keeping the added complexity localized to the attachment module
Solution Approach 2:
The clip-on attachment design allows the thermal imaging module to be dynamically added or removed from the image intensifier based on operational requirements. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt between simple and complex modes, improving night vision performance only when needed while minimizing overall system complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If the light turning element obstructs the aperture, then thermal image projection is enabled, but less visible light enters the intensifier tube
Solution Approach 1:
The optical paths are segmented into separate entry points: visible light enters through the image intensifier aperture while thermal images are projected from a separate opening. This segmentation eliminates the need for light turning elements that would obstruct the aperture, maintaining full visible light entry while enabling thermal image projection
Solution Approach 2:
The projector acts as an intermediary that introduces thermal image light through a separate path rather than through the main aperture. This mediator approach enables thermal image projection without blocking visible light from entering the intensifier tube, maintaining illumination intensity while adding versatility
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
The optical bypass device maintains the field of view and sensitivity of image intensifiers while allowing for composite image generation across visible and infrared ranges, including thermal imaging, and can be used in various lighting conditions without damaging the intensifier.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of prisms having separated capture apertures and adjacent exit apertures
Implementation Method 2
a projector provided between the prisms and operable to project light through an opening provided between the exit apertures of the prisms
Data Source
AI summary
An optical bypass device comprises a pair of prisms. The capture apertures of the prisms are provided on either side of a projector block. The exit apertures are substantially adjacent to one another. In this manner the prisms can act to direct incident light around the projector block and into the image intensifier aperture. In the projector block is provided an OLED screen operable to display an image including text overlay information corresponding to that captured by the thermal imaging camera. The image is projected through a small opening provided where the prisms are connected.