Drs Network & Imaging Systems, LLC

Patrick J Cronkite

Mark E Durham

Richard L Southerland

Brian R Pekarek

Samuel E Ivey

Jeff R Emmett

Eric J Gustafson

Rohan G Rodney

Rachel L Cooper

The disclosure describes systems and apparatuses that include a focusable lens, as well as methods for focusing the optical lens. The focusable lens system includes a single element lens having a concave refractive surface characterized by a first radius of curvature and a convex refractive surface characterized by a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. A detector element generates electrical signals representative of infrared rays refracted by the single element lens and incident on the detector element, and an aperture stop is disposed around an optical axis of the optical system and secured in a constant position relative to the detector element, the aperture stop configured to limit a cone angle of rays refracted by the single element lens. They system also includes image processing circuitry configured to generate digital pixilation data based on electrical signals generated by the detector element.

Single element radiometric lens

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a springless athermal lens assembly. In one embodiment, a spacer of a springless athermal lens assembly may compensate for defocus of the camera system due to thermal expansion of the lens assembly through the coupling of a spacer to an inner barrel and an outer barrel. The inner barrel comprises a lens cell assembly and a body. The outer barrel comprises a body. The spacer comprises a body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the spacer body is configured to be physically coupled to outer barrel body and the inner surface of the spacer body is configured to be physically coupled to the inner barrel body. A retainer ring is configured to engage with the outer surface of the spacer body and provide a radial force against the outer surface of the spacer body to securably engage the inner surface of the spacer body with the inner barrel body.

Springless athermal lens design with flexured spacer

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a springless athermal lens assembly. In one embodiment, a spacer of a springless athermal lens assembly may compensate for defocus of the camera system due to thermal expansion of the lens assembly through micro wedge mechanisms coupling the spacer to an inner and outer barrel. The inner barrel comprises a lens cell assembly and a body having a micro wedge slot. The outer barrel comprises a body having a micro wedge slot. The spacer comprises an inner barrel micro wedge and an outer barrel micro wedge. The spacer is configured to be physically coupled to the inner barrel through engagement of the inner barrel micro wedge and the inner barrel micro wedge slot. Further, the spacer is configured to be physically coupled to the outer barrel through the engagement of the outer barrel micro wedge and the outer barrel micro wedge slot.

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Palm Bay, FL, United States of America

Patrick J Cronkite