Versacorp Inventions & Conceptual Designs:
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Introduction:
Versacorp (or more particularly its founder, Jeffrey R. Charles) has conceived and developed many innovative ideas over the years. A few came about as a result of the inventor's own amateur projects. Many conceptual designs were innovative and unique enough to be "inventions ", and some were patented. Many of Jeff's ideas were developed into Versacorp products. Others were commissioned by or licensed to other vendors. Still others related to projects much too large for a company the size of Versacorp to take on. Some of these were presented at JPL/NASA in the form of project proposals. A few other inventions and conceptual designs were developed as part of Jeff's contract work at JPL from 1992 to 1995. Only a few of these are listed due to the fact that most are proprietary to JPL and/or its project sponsors.
In all, Versacorp has conceived and developed hundreds of items. Though most of these relate to optical instrumentation, many are applicable to a variety of other fields. In regard to optics, the same innovative thinking that was the foundation for legendary Versacorp products can be utilized to provide effective solutions in the design of instrumentation for observatories, laboratories, motion pictures, panoramic imaging, surveillance, and other applications. In order to illustrate the extensive innovative prowess of Versacorp, several (but no where near all) of its inventions and conceptual designs are listed by category below, followed by the year of conception, then by applicable comments.
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- Optics; astronomy; astrograph; 20 cm f/2; "spiderless" with axial strut and relatively small aperture corrector lens. 1988.
- Optics; astronomy; focusing; of Cassegrain mirror without lateral image shift. 1982.
- Optics; astronomy and surveillance; focal reducers; down to 0.23x. 1986.
- Optics; astronomy; focal reducer; 0.5x; integrated with T-mount camera lens to video C-mount adapter. 1989.
- Optics; astronomy; focusing; by means on moving auxiliary optics. 1984.
- Optics; astronomy; focusing; focusing aid in 1.25" O.D. calibrated barrel. 1989. (Versacorp MicroStar product).
- Optics; astronomy; guiding; radially adjustable "spear prism" guider insert. 1980. (Later became various versions of the patented Versacorp VersaGuider. Well over 5 years after the VersaGuider was introduced, some of its features were emulated by companies such as Spectra Astro Systems and Van Slyke Engineering in ways which did not infringe on the patent).
- Optics; astronomy; guiding; deployable guiding reflector which is tiltable in order to extend the range of radial adjustment. 1982. (Conceived and developed as an optional built-in function for the Versacorp VersAgonal. The tilting reflector feature alone was emulated over 10 years later by Celestron).
- Optics; astronomy; guiding; low profile radially adjustable guider body for standard T-threads. 1987. (Versacorp VersaGuider 3, not patented. Was later emulated by Spectra).
- Optics; astronomy; lens cells; to fit popular filter holders. 1986. (Versacorp Series 6 Optidisc, patented).
- Optics; astronomy; telescope; Cassegrain; 12 cm aperture; with all accessory functions built in. 1982.
- Optics; astronomy; telescope; compact photo visual 60 mm Cassegrain. 1983.
- Optics; astronomy; telescope; Cassegrain; compact, futuristic design. 1986.
- Optics; astronomy; telescope; Cassegrain; with side support rail, focusing secondary mirror, and collapsible cloth and wire "tube". 1987.
- Optics; astronomy; telescope; Newtonian with alt-azimuth mounting which has provision for storing telescope and accessories. 1988.
- Optics; astronomy; telescope; off-axis with fixed eyepiece position, combined tube and mount. 1989.
- Optics; astronomy; telescope; automated; in trailer with instrumentation. Self contained for rapid deployment. 1993. (Proposed for JPL optical communications related AVM Project).
- Optics; astronomy, tracking; 25 cm boresight telescope for 34 meter antenna. Includes remote control weatherproof housing and provision for a wide field camera to be mounted in front of the telescope's secondary mirror obstruction. 1993. (I designed this, then supervised the fabrication and installation of two identical units as part of my work on a JPL project).
- Optics; astronomy; telescope; multi function; Airborne Large Aperture Telescope (3 meter) with multiple functions. 1993. (Proposed as ALAT project at JPL).
- Optics; astronomy and communication; use of focal reducer as a focusing element and specifically to facilitate smaller secondary obstruction on Cassegrain telescope. 1991. (Further developed in 1993 for my ALAT and ARDOC project proposals).
- Optics; astronomy and surveillance; 36 cm aperture f/1.4 telescope primarily for electronic imaging. 1987.
- Optics; astronomy and surveillance; 25 cm aperture f/0.5 telescope for electronic imaging. 1988.
- Optics; communication; telescope; Airborne Relay for Deep-space Optical Communication. 1993. (Proposed as ARDOC project at JPL).
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- Optics; dynamic; laser steering mirror for optical communication; new concepts: Mirror pivots about the center of its surface. Center of gravity is at center of mirror surface. Actuator coils are behind mirror, velocity coils are in front. Beam clearance is between velocity coils. Mirror is supported by flat and axial flexures. Low mass armature and mirror for high resonant frequency. Compact, octagonal housing. 1992. (Part of my work on a JPL project).
- Optics; dynamic; laser steering mirror for optical communication; new concepts: Mirror polished onto magnet surface to facilitate lower armature mass and a higher resonant frequency. 1992. (Part of my work on a JPL project).
- Optics; dynamic; laser steering mirror for optical communication; new concepts: Ring magnet around and behind mirror; with forked pole pieces for coils. 1992. (Part of my work on a JPL project).
- Optics; dynamic; steering mirror; configurable for both steering and instrument selection. Used on airborne telescope for stabilization of images and optical communications. 1993. (Part of the new technology I developed for my ALAT and ARDOC project proposals).
- Optics; dynamic; steering mirror; compact design which does not require axial flexure. 1996.
- Optics; dynamic; steering mirror; compact design which does not require velocity magnets. 1997.
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- Optics; photography; lenses; variable focal ratio used to minimize physical size of wide range zoom lens (concept only). 1975. (Many years before applicable products appeared).
- Optics; photography; lighting; optical photo flash projection. 1976. (Years before flash units had this feature).
- Optics; photography; wide angle; panoramic; means of printing panorama as a circular picture. 1976.
- Optics; photography; wide angle; panoramic; interchangeable lens camera with many proprietary features. 1976 and later.
- Optics; photography; wide angle; reflector; "Cassegrain" with axial strut. 1977. (Patented).
- Optics; photography; wide angle; reflector; with axial camera support. 1985. (Patented).
- Optics; recreation; telescope converter attachment for binocular or monocular. 1983. (Patented)
- Optics; Misc.; contact eye lens with proprietary characteristics. 1997.
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- Optics; switching; by rotating and/or swinging Newtonian diagonal. 1979.
- Optics; switching and guiding; by moving reflector insert perpendicular to opt. axis. 1980. (Versacorp VersaGuider and DiaGuider, patented).
- Optics; switching; by swinging reflector down from front pivot. 1985.
- Optics; switching; attachment; standard T-thread thread interchangeable flip mirror. 1982. (Versacorp VersAgonal, patented).
Optics; Switching; Multiple Function:
- Optics; switching; attachment; with flip mirror and built-in photo visual Barlow lens, focal reducer, and other functions; all accessible with the turn of a control knob. 1982. (Versacorp VersAgonal, patented).
- Optics; switching; attachment; remote control with selectable optics for 200:1 image scale range. 1987. (Versacorp Enhanced VersAgonal, patented but not marketed).
- Optics; switching; attachment; expandable four port instrument selector with built-in selectable mirror and beam splitter. Facilitates switching the image to any port or splitting the image between two ports; all by remote control or with the simple turn of a manual control knob. 1990.
- Optics; switching; finder; image from finder can be superimposed over image from main telescope. 1985. (Optional feature for Versacorp VersAgonal, patented).
- Optics; switching; inserts; drop-in optic holder with interchangeable lens and reflector cells. (1983).
Optics; Switching; of Lenses Only:
- Optics; switching; drawer; optic and filter drawer with standard T-threads for use with camera, eyepiece, and/or image switcher. 1982. (Versacorp VersaDrawer, patented).
- Optics; switching; lenses; optic wheel with interchangeable cells. 1986.
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- Adapters; telescope; to adapt accessories of one manufacturer to various other telescopes. 1982 and later. (Dozens were designed and marketed).
- Adapter; eyepiece and telescope; multiple photo and visual functions. 1982. (Versacorp VersAdapter, patented).
- Adapter; parfocalizes photographic and visual image planes of Questar 3.5" telescope. 1987.
- Cap; multiple function; for front, rear, and top of flip mirror. 1983.
- Counterweight; telescope; with three-axis positioning. 1979.
- Dew shield; collapsible, flexible plastic for telescope. 1985. (Prototyped by Versacorp, but not patented. Later emulated by Orion Telescope Center as their "Flexishield").
- Diaphragm; iris diaphragm attachment for telescope focuser. 1988.
- Easel; vacuum; with unique paper removal and registration features. 1976.
- Easel; shaped; conical section with dynamic dodging and filtration for printing part of a color panorama as a segment of a circle or vice versa. 1976.
- Extender; eyepiece; eccentric for radial guiding adjustment. 1986. (Patented).
- Focuser, telescope; focus lock modification for commercial Cassegrain telescope. 1992. (Implemented as part of my work on a JPL project).
- Focuser, telescope; with built-in off-axis guider. 1987.
- Holder; eyepiece; for back of camera lens. 1975. (One of my first amateur projects).
- Holder; film; simplified vacuum sheet film holder. 1987.
- Insert; to store popular accessories in Questar telescope case. 1985.
- Light; reticle; self contained variable illuminator and battery holder. 1984. (Well before applicable products were available).
- Mask; diffaction modification for telescope mirror support spider. 1988.
- Mounting; camera; longitudinally adjustable astro piggyback mount for OTI Quantum telescopes. Attaches between telescope tube and fork mount. 1980.
- Mounting; camera; indexing rotary panoramic camera platform. 1991. (Built for taking panoramic photo series at total solar eclipse).
- Mounting; telescope; curved wedge cam for tangent drive error correction. (As applicable to "Barn Door" and similar mountings). 1985.
- Mounting; telescope; combined case and tripod/wedge for commercial Cassegrain. 1989.
- Mounting; telescope; with integral encoders and computer control. 1983. (This is common now, but this fork mount was conceived in 1983! Its features are integral; not just tacked on.
- Mounting; telescope; with right ascension (or azimuth) motor in fork yoke. 1986.
- Mounting; telescope; tracking; accurate computer controlled alt-azimuth mount for 25 cm Cassegrain telescope. 1992. (Part of my work on a JPL project).
- Quick release; bayonet mount for telescope diagonal prism. 1981. (Simplified switching between eyepiece and camera).
- Simulator; total solar eclipse; narrow and omniramic wide field; for visual and movie special effects. 1979. (Not constructed; these things require bucks!)
- Slow motion; removable low profile precision declination slow motion control for telescope. 1980. (Versacorp Microdec for Questar telescope, marketed until 1991. Fits in case with telescope).
- Stop ring; to parfocalize eyepiece on image switching device. 1986.
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- Camera; low light video camera with side mounted connectors. 1989.
- Camera; combined video camcorder and digital still camera; pocket size with built-in light and 100:1 optical image scale. 1000:1 image scale including electronic zoom. 1995.
- Compensator; programmable digital quartz compensator with moving relay lens for offset guiding of comet photos. 1987.
- Computer; OS with proprietary configuration & management of memory, inits, etc. 1996.
- Computer; laptop docking station with proprietary shape and features. 1996.
- Computer; full featured laptop with proprietary characteristics. 1997.
- Controller; automated control for panoramic and corona photos at total solar eclipse. 1995.
- Driver; pulsed stepping motor drive and battery built into Aus-Jena German Equatorial telescope mounting. 1993.
- Filter; optical; electronically controlled with proprietary features. 1990.
- Heater; radiant for household; high efficiency; relatively low wattage. 1988.
- Image processing, dynamic, to compensate for lens distortion in rotating electronic imaging panoramic camera. 1997.
- Inverter and drive corrector for telescope; built into Cassegrain telescope drive base. 1982. (Well before applicable products were available).
- Inverter; 110 V for telescope; pocket size variable frequency quartz referenced. 1986. (Licensed by another vendor and marketed as the Scorpius telescope drive corrector).
- Level; electronic; multi axis tilt indicator with illuminated display. 1984.
- Lights; for telescope setting circles; integral with mounting. 1983.
- Medical; implants; means of transferring power to medical implants without breaking skin. 1995.
- Medical; ultrasound; resolution enhancement; reducing bone interference. 1989.
- Radiology; panoramic dental X-ray; housing and film fixed during scan. 1981.
- Speaker; audio; internal sound modification structure. 1980.
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RF Antennas and Reflectors; Inflatable:
- Antenna; inflatable; adaptive; with lifting gas assisted adaptive cells. 1995.
- Antenna; inflatable; airborne; integral with inflatable airship gas bag. 1993.
- Antenna; inflatable; airborne; with remote control internal positioning weight. 1993.
- Antenna; inflatable; arrayable spaceborne. 1995.
- Antenna; inflatable; with selectively inflatable annular sub reflector to facilitate both prime and Cassegrain focus. 1995.
- Antenna; inflatable; with spherical envelope around reflector. 1993.
- Antenna; inflatable; ground based reflector under inflatable dome. 1993.
RF Antennas and Reflectors; Inflatable and/or Rigid:
- Antenna reflector; airborne beamed power concentrator. 1993.
- Antenna; inflatable or rigid; with steerable beam-waveguide and spherical primary reflector. 1994.
RF Antennas and Reflectors; Rigid:
- Antenna; with gimbaled steerable transmitter, receiver, and feed. 1993.
- Antenna; with concentric subreflector and rolling feed assembly. 1993.
- Antenna; with half angle articulated waveguide mirror. 1994.
- Antenna; with steering mirror. 1994.
- Antenna; rectenna on separated composite plates (facilitates cooling). 1996.
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- Platform; airborne; lighter than air; arrayable. 1993.
- Platform; airborne; lighter than air; multiple function; capable of operating at up to 23 km altitude. Payloads include a 3 meter telescope. 1993. (Developed for ALAT and ARDOC project proposals).
- Platform; airborne; lighter than air; high altitude solar occulting device (inflatable). 1995.
- Platform; airborne; lighter than air; rectenna and/or phased communications array integral with airship hull. 1996.
- Platform; airborne; rotating; flying rotor. 1994.
- Spacecraft / space station; proprietary artificial gravity control. 1982.
- Spacecraft / space station / space colony; proprietary characteristics. 1997.
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- Atomizer with proprietary characteristics. 1981.
- Devices, projects, and procedures; miscellaneous; not necessarily classified as inventions. 1968 and later. (Hundreds).
- Engine or pump; rotary; high compression with proprietary rotor design. 1986.
- Jack; for moving loaded industrial shelving. 1985.
- Roller; vacuum cleaner; improved configuration for carpet cleaning. 1987.
- Top; spinning; with proprietary characteristics for long duration spin. 1985.
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© Copyright 1996, 1997 Jeffrey R. Charles. All Rights Reserved.
Mail to: Jeffrey R. Charles (jcharles@versacorp.com)