Adlens Limited

Daniel Paul Rhodes

Robert Edward Stevens

Alex Edginton

Benjamin Thomas Tristram Holland

Dijon Pietropinto

Simon Peter Horrocks

Derek Paul Forbes Bean

Roger Brian Minchin Clarke

Peter Lee Crossley

Edwin James Stone

Richard Leefe Douglas Murray

Thomas Norman Llyn Jacoby

Martyn Francis Kenneally

Benjamin Ian Curnow

Benjamin Thomas Holland

Jon Nisper

Conor Briody

David Mlynski

Derek Paul Bean

Roger Brian Clarke

Richard Leefe Murray

Alex Edgington

Benjamin Tristram Holland

Tom Jacoby

A variable focusing power fluid-filled lens or minor assembly () comprising a fluid-filled envelope and a supporting structure () therefor; the fluid-filled envelope being constituted by a first wall that is formed of a distensible elastic membrane () having an exterior optical surface () of variable focusing power, a second wall () that is spaced from the first wall on a z-axis which is generally perpendicular to the membrane, and a collapsible peripheral side wall () that extends between the first and second walls (), and being filled with a substantially incompressible fluid (); a membrane holding structure () that is attached to a peripheral edge of membrane for holding the membrane under tension, the membrane holding structure defining a plurality of discrete control points spaced around the peripheral edge of membrane where the position of the peripheral edge of the membrane relative to the second wall on the z-axis is controlled and permitting bending of the peripheral edge of the membrane between the control points in a plane defined by the z-axis and a tangent to the peripheral edge of the membrane; the plurality of control points including a plurality of dynamic actuation points; and an actuation mechanism for displacing the edge of the membrane on the z-axis relative to the second wall at each of the actuation points to control the shape of the membrane; wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a plurality of first cam members () that are connected to the membrane holding structure and associated with respective actuation points, a cam belt disposed circumjacent the membrane which comprises a plurality of spaced second cam members (), each second cam member being engaged with a corresponding one of the first cam members for controlling the position of the edge of the membrane on the z-axis at the respective actuation point, a cam belt support () that supports the cam belt for bidirectional rotation around the z-axis relative to the membrane and a coupling () for drivably connecting the cam belt to a selectively operable driver ().

Variable focusing power optical devices

A method of fabricating a lens element for an adjustable power lens of the kind comprising two lens elements that are slidable relative to one other in a direction transverse the optical axis of the lens and have respective lens surfaces that are shaped to act together to form a corrective lens, the power of which varies according to the relative disposition of the two lens elements, the method comprising the steps of forming a lens puck having two opposite faces, which are shaped to form opposite lens surfaces of one of the lens elements of the adjustable power lens, the puck having at least one alignment feature, and thereafter edging the puck to a desired eye shape with reference to the alignment feature.

Glasses with selectively adjustable optical power lenses

An adjustable fluid-filled lens or minor assemblycomprising a fluid-filled envelope and a supporting structure therefor; the fluid-filled envelope being constituted by a first wall that is formed of a distensible elastic membranehaving an exterior optical surface of variable focusing power, a second wallthat is spaced from the first wall on a z-axis, and a collapsible peripheral side wallthat extends between the first and second walls, and being filled with a substantially incompressible fluid; a membrane holding structurethat is attached to a peripheral edge of membranefor holding the membrane under tension; and one or more selectively operable actuator assemblies r, r, rfor moving one or more corresponding regions of the peripheral edge of the membrane on the z-axis towards and away from the second wallfor controlling the profile of the peripheral edge of the membrane; wherein the or each actuator assembly comprises a connecting memberthat is attached to the membrane or membrane holding structure at a respective actuation point, a linear actuatorthat is mounted to the supporting structure and a linkagethat is connected between the connecting member and an actuation point a, a, aon the linear actuator; wherein the linear actuator is a linear SMA actuator comprising an array of SMA wiresthat are coupled together to work in parallel and which extend transversely of the z-axis, and the linkage is configured for converting linear motion of the actuation point of the SMA actuator in a direction transverse the z-axis to linear motion of the connecting member on the z-axis, thereby to move the corresponding region of the peripheral edge of the membranetowards or away from the second wall

Or relating to variable focusing power optical devices

A deformable membrane assembly comprises an at least partially flexible fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held around its edge by a resiliently bendable supporting ring, a fixed support for the envelope and selectively operable means for causing relative movement between the supporting ring and the support for adjusting the pressure of the fluid in the envelope, thereby to cause the membrane to deform. The bending stiffness of the ring varies round the ring such that upon deformation of the membrane the ring bends variably to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form. The moving means comprise a plurality of ring-engaging members that are arranged to apply a force to the ring at spaced control points. There are at least three control points, and there is a control point at or proximate each point on the ring where the profile of the ring that is needed to produce the predefined form upon deformation of the membrane exhibits a turning point in the direction of the force applied at the control point between two adjacent points where the profile of the ring exhibits an inflection point or a turning point in the opposite direction.

Deformable non-round membrane assemblies

A deformable membrane assembly comprising a fixed support, a fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held under tension around its edge by a flexible membrane supporting member, the supporting member being coupled to the fixed support at a plurality of discrete control points around the supporting member by engaging members for controlling the position of the membrane edge; and an adjuster for adjusting the pressure of the fluid within the envelope to adjust the shape of the membrane; wherein at least three control points are provided that are situated around the membrane edge at spaced locations selected to increase the energy of the lowest order out-of-plane bending mode of the supporting member while allowing the membrane to deform according to one or more selected Zernike polynomials. An article of eyewear comprising such a deformable membrane assembly is also disclosed.

Deformable membrane assemblies

The present invention provides a deformable membrane assemblycomprising an elastic membranethat is held under tension around its edge by a bendable membrane supporting member, a body of fluid in contact with one face of the membrane, the pressure of the fluid being controllable for adjusting the shape of the membrane, and one or more bending controllersacting on the supporting memberto control the bending of the supporting member in response to loading through tension in the membrane. The bending stiffness of the membrane-supporting membervaries round its extent to control the profile of the edge of the membrane; etc. upon actuation. A variety of different types of bending controllers are disclosed which permit out-of-plane bending of the supporting memberbut prevent or control in-plane bending or deformation of the supporting member. In some embodiments, the bending controllers permit a degree of controlled in-plane bending of the supporting memberin order to control the strain in the membraneupon actuation.

A deformable membrane assembly comprising a fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held around its edge by a bendable supporting ring, a support for the envelope and at least three ring-engaging members that are arranged to apply a force to the ring at spaced control points for adjusting the shape of the membrane, with the ring bending to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form. A control point is provided at or proximate each point on the ring where the profile of the ring that is needed to produce the predefined form of the membrane exhibits a turning point in the direction of the force applied at the control point between two adjacent points where the profile of the ring exhibits an inflection point or a turning point in the opposite direction.

A deformable membrane assembly comprises a deformable membrane () in contact with a body of fluid () and a selectively operable adjuster for adjusting the pressure of the fluid () for causing distension of the membrane () in accordance with a predefined form. The membrane is held peripherally by a bendable supporting member () that is coupled to a fixed support by at least three engaging members () at spaced locations round the supporting member (). An engaging member () is provided at or proximate at least one point round the supporting member () where the profile of the supporting member () corresponding to the predefined form of the membrane () exhibits locally maximum or minimum curvature in the direction of distension of the membrane ().

Growing community of inventors

Oxford, United Kingdom

Daniel Paul Rhodes