Lens mounting for use with liquid lens elements

摘要

In a lens assembly for a telescope objective that comprises liquid lens elements contained between adjacent glass lens elements, each glass lens element is adhesively bonded to an interior surface of a corresponding cylindrical mounting ring by a sealant that is impervious to the liquid lens elements. The sealant is a proprietary fluorosilicone compound marketed as "DOW CORNING X5-8738". The cylindrical mounting rings (with the corresponding glass lens elements bonded thereto) are coaxially aligned so that planar end surfaces of adjacent mounting rings adjoin each other. Compressible O-rings made of Viton TM are received in annular grooves formed on one end surface of each pair of adjoining end surfaces of adjacent mounting rings. Adjacent mounting rings are secured to each other to provide three-point mounting contact between adjacent mounting rings so as to obtain precise axial alignment of the glass lens elements. Compression of the O-rings between adjacent mounting rings produces liquid-tight gaps between adjacent glass lens elements. Liquid is introduced into the gaps between adjacent glass lens elements to form the liquid lens elements.