Title: Inline optical wedge stabilizer

Abstract: A stabilizer is disclosed which can alone, or in combination with other optics of known magnification, produce stabilized images where ambient instrument vibration occurs. An optically transparent liquid of known index of refraction is confined to a chamber having at least one freely movable transparent wall. A light path is defined into or out of the chamber substantially normal to the neutral position of the freely movable transparent wall. When the chamber is subjected to accidental angular motion, the fluid within the chamber inertially acts upon the freely movable transparent wall to move the wall and thereby create a transparent fluid wedge. This transparent fluid wedge, either alone or in conjunction with other optics of known magnification, produces apparent image movement equal and opposite to the image movement produced by ambient accidental vibration. Optical stabilization results. Provision is made in an improved bellows for support of the freely movable transparent wall with respect to the chamber.

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Inventors: Humphrey, William Edwin (Oakland, CA, US)

Application Number: 449869
Filing Date: 1974-03-11
Publication_date: 1976-03-02
Assignee: Optical Research and Development Corporation (Berkeley, CA)
Primary Class(es): 359/557 359/665
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3503663	Mar, 1970	De La Cierva et al.	350/16.
3655274	Apr, 1972	Craig	350/16.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Rubin, David H.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Townsend and Townsend