The presentation submitted herewith proposes that a spherical surface dome be approximated by covering array of flat panels of suitable dimensions. The screen would be a compound structure, having a refracting as well as a reflecting surface. The section would carry an array of parallel cylindrical lenses. The fresnel surface (the second panel) would be at right angles to the first surface and cemented together. The spread of the rays, as they pass through this focus, is delineated by the ratio of the pitch between successive reflecting surfaces and the radius of curvature given to each surface. Actually, the spread of light returned by the panels is governed in one direction by the curvature on the reflecting fresnel surfaces, and in the direction at right angles to this spread, is governed by the pitch and curvature of the cylindrical lenses. If a dome, having a radius of twenty feet, has a six foot diameter sphere viewing area to accommodate the pilot and copilot; and if the pitch of the reflecting and refracting surface element is .040 inches, then an idea going 44:1 is possible. It is the purpose of this proposal to study, analyze and compare the currently available screen and to evaluate them with respect to the design proposed herein. A successful conclusion would lead to a prototype assembly for purposes of evaluation.
