Pressure-tolerant underwater imaging systems
View Patent ↗An underwater camera capable of withstanding full ocean depths. The lens assembly can be filled with any liquid, since the image sensor and other electronics are in an epoxy-filled case which not only can withstand extreme pressures but also protects the electronics from the liquid. Thus, when the camera is intended to be submerged in seawater, for example, unlike existing cameras the lens assembly can hold seawater, which closely matches the index of refraction of the external medium. This simplifies the lens design and eliminates the need for a dome port and a pressure housing. The camera is focusable and zoomable, and it is simple to select specific lens components and the interior liquid to achieve the desired optical parameters. The camera's components can be inexpensively manufactured via 3D printing.
1 . A camera comprising:
a focusable lens assembly configured to contain a liquid; and
a case attached to the lens assembly, the case containing an imaging sensor and the case filled with cured epoxy;
wherein the cured epoxy prevents the liquid from contacting the imaging sensor.
2 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the case was manufactured using 3D printing.
3 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the cured epoxy is substantially free of air bubbles.
4 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the cured epoxy fills the volume of the camera so that the camera does not substantially comprise any air cavities.
5 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the liquid comprises pure water, saltwater, seawater, alcohol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, or deionized water.
6 . The camera of claim 1 wherein a focal length of the camera depends upon a composition of the liquid.
7 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the liquid is not a dielectric liquid.
8 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the liquid has approximately the same refractive index as a fluid in which the camera is to be submersed.
9 . The camera of claim 8 comprising a tube to equalize a pressure of the liquid to a pressure of the fluid when the camera is submersed in the fluid.
10 . The camera of claim 8 wherein the liquid has substantially the same refractive index as the fluid.
11 . The camera of claim 1 without a housing for the lens assembly.
12 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the lens assembly is interchangeable.
13 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the lens assembly is zoomable.
14 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the lens assembly comprises a threaded lens holder rotatably mateable with a threaded lens chamber.
15 . The camera of claim 14 wherein the lens holder and lens chamber were manufactured using 3D printing.
16 . The camera of claim 14 wherein rotating the lens holder with respect to the lens chamber focuses and/or zooms the lens.
17 . The camera of claim 14 comprising one or more rotatable magnets magnetically coupled to magnetic elements in the lens holder.
18 . The camera of claim 1 wherein the lens assembly comprises an achromatic lens.
19 . The camera of claim 1 further comprising a liquid-tight housing for receiving the case, the housing containing a computer, a battery, and Wi-Fi communication electronics.
20 . The camera of claim 1 wherein a predetermined focal length, field of view, and aperture of the camera is determined by the user's choice of liquid and one or more lenses in the lens assembly.
21 . The camera of claim 1 capable of operating to 10,900 meters of sea water (msw).
22 . The camera of claim 1 forming part of a stereo or multi-camera array.
23 . The camera of claim 1 capable of taking continuous video.