Underwater multi-mode night vision apparatus

Abstract

An underwater night vision apparatus employing a night vision device for enhancing images illuminated solely by ambient light and an LED illuminator for provision of invisible infrared light to supplement ambient light. A catadioptric lens is used to increase optical efficiency and becomes the cover of a recessed compartment in the apparatus and in the optical path between the lens and the night vision device. The compartment fills with non-turbid seawater when the lens is changed underwater. The entrapped seawater constitutes a lens which contributes to the overall image enhancement.

What I now claim as my invention is: 
     
       1. A underwater infrared night vision apparatus comprising: a means for intensifying ambient light and invisible infrared light in low and no-light environments, said means having a cylinder-like body having a lens mounting ring affixed to one end of a movable focusing tube encircling one end of said body, the opposite end of said body having an adjustable eyepiece;   a means for producing and emitting invisible infrared energy to supplement and enhance the illumination of a no-light and low-light environment, said means affixed to said intensifying means; and   a catadioptric lens mounted to said mounting ring of said movable focusing tube.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for producing and emitting invisible infrared energy comprises: a light emitting diode operating in the invisible infrared portion of the spectrum;   a storage type power source; and   a circuit having an ON/OFF switch and connecting said power supply to said light emitting diode through said switch.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said light emitting diode is an Aluminum Gallium Arsenide diode operating at about 880 nanometers. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said power source is selected from the group consisting of a storage battery and an ultracapacitor. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a recessed compartment extending from said lens mounting ring into said focusing tube for entrapping seawater when said catadioptric lens is mounted to said ring in the underwater environment. 
     
     
       6. An underwater infrared night vision apparatus comprising: a night vision image intensifying device having a detection capability from ambient night light to invisible infrared and having a cylinder-like body having a lens mounting ring affixed to one end of a movable focusing tube encircling one end of said body, the opposite end of said body having an adjustable eyepiece;   a light emitting diode assembly containing a light emitting diode capable of emitting invisible infrared light, a storage type power source, and a circuit containing an ON/OFF switch connecting said diode to said power source, said diode assembly affixed to said image intensifying device, and   a catadioptric lens mounted to said mounting ring of said movable focusing tube.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said light emitting diode is an Aluminum Gallium Arsenide diode operating at about 880 nanometers. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a recessed compartment extending from said lens mounting ring into said focusing tube for entrapping seawater when said catadioptric lens is mounted to said ring in the underwater environment. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said power source is an ultracapacitor.