Optical: systems and elements – Lens – With support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-17
2001-08-28
Ben, Loha (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Lens
With support
C359S819000, C359S438000, C359S441000, C359S442000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282036
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to precision optical mounting devices commonly utilized in the fields of optics and holography, and more specifically to a mounting device providing an adjustable optical train for the mounting of an object, particularly an optical component such as a holographic medium, lens, prism, and the like.
Stability, adjustability and volume are important considerations in optical systems. Typically, a mounting system for optical components includes a surface such as an optical bench, optical table, or an optical breadboard that permits precise movement of one component relative to another. The surface is usually designed to minimize vibration of the components and to lessen inadvertent movement. In some instances, post holders are attached directly to the surface via holes drilled into the surface to support optical components. However, while somewhat stable, these posts are not easily moved to different points on an optical table.
One way of addressing this problem was to utilize magnetic posts to permit fine adjustment of the placement of optical components. However, magnetic posts do not offer the stability of the mechanically attached post systems and therefore are more susceptible to accidental movement and vibration.
Another way to address the problem involves optical rails that may be attached to an optical table or optical breadboard, with carriers attached to the rails to permit adjustment. At present, standard optical rails are ½ to 1 inch in height and are mounted on top of an optical table or an optical breadboard. A rail carrier is used to mount components to the optical rail. With the addition of optical mounts and adjustable height posts, a standard beam height of 6 to 8 inches may be obtained. While this height is acceptable in some applications, more precise applications, such as avionics equipment, require a lower height. Therefore, the flexibility of adjustment provided by an optical rail system is not presently available when a low beam height was desired. Additionally, in optical rail systems, precision and stability are sacrificed with the addition of each component required to mount an object, thereby magnifying the flaws of each mounting component with the addition of the next.
Further, changing and replacing components on a conventional optical train system required removing all the components mounted on the optical rail system. For example, if a user desired to remove a component surrounded by other components, the user had to remove the surrounding components to gain access to the desired component.
Consequently, there exists a need for a mounting device capable of providing an adjustable optical train. More specifically, there exists a need for a low-profile adjustable optical train with the ability to be adjusted for easy movement, capable of removing components in the optical train without removing other components and to accommodate optical design changes for an object, such as an optical component including a holographic medium, lens, prism, and the like within an optical system such as a holographic correlator, holographic memory, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mounting device capable of providing an adjustable optical train. The mounting device is comprised of a plate having a channel formed therein. A submount suitable for mounting an object such as an optical component (e.g., holographic medium, lens, prism, etc.) engages the channel so as to provide slidable movement of the object along the channel.
In an exemplary embodiment, the submount further comprises a fastener. The fastener may include an appendage for engaging the channel and a holder coupled to the appendage. The holder is suitable for anchoring the appendage to the channel thereby securing the submount to the plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener is formed so as to be capable of being inserted into and removed from the channel along a plurality of points. In an additional exemplary embodiment, the fastener includes a spherical interface to further promote correct alignment.
In an additional exemplary embodiment, the submount further comprises an aligning protrusion for aligning the submount with the channel. The submount may also include a connecting portion suitable for attaching a device to the submount.
It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2651235 (1953-09-01), Barrows
patent: 2746346 (1956-05-01), Gaire
patent: 3163940 (1965-01-01), Geiser
patent: 3449052 (1969-06-01), Rankin
patent: 4316330 (1982-02-01), Hayes
patent: 4757616 (1988-07-01), Hills
patent: 5285224 (1994-02-01), Sims
patent: 5576897 (1996-11-01), Kuo
Larison John A.
Robertson Richard L.
Woytassek Mark A.
Ben Loha
Eppele Kyle
Jensen Nathan O.
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
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