Mirror support apparatus and system

Details Mirror support apparatus and system Mirror support apparatus and system

1989-03-17

1992-05-19

Arnold, Bruce Y.

Optical: systems and elements

Mirror

Including specified control or retention of the shape of a...

359224, G02B 508, G02B 2608

Patent

active

051153513

ABSTRACT:
A mirror support apparatus for a reflecting telescope employs an astatic lever with a counterweight to provide radial support and drives the lever parallel to the telescope axis to provide axial support. The axial supporting force is delivered to the mirror through a load cell which is located between the end of the lever and the mirror directly or indirectly (through a linking rod or diaphragms). The load cell therefore detects the entire axial force applied, and does not detect radial components even if the mirror shifts in relation to its cell. The lever is driven in the axial directing through a spring which helps achieve fine adjustment. A damping device can be added to damp vibrations. The counterweight can be attached to the lever by another spring to compensate for lever bending effects. This apparatus is capable of providing both axial and radial supporting forces with the high precision required by very large, thin telescope mirrors. A mirror support system for a reflecting telescope supports the mirror at multiple points by apparatus as described above, and by fixed supports at one or more additional points. Feedback from load cells in the apparatus and at the fixed support points enables the axial support to be optimized for the telescope attitude and for external factors such as wind loads.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3603671 (1971-09-01), Brown
patent: 4500170 (1985-02-01), Montesanto
patent: 4601553 (1986-07-01), Pepi et al.
patent: 4601554 (1986-07-01), Plante et al.
patent: 4632523 (1986-12-01), Knohl
patent: 4775230 (1988-10-01), Meier
patent: 4875764 (1989-10-01), Marino et al.
"Design Features of the Space Telescope", Brown E. B.
International Conference on Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes, SPIE vol. 332, Section 2, New Telescope Projects, 1982.
Very Large Telescope Interim Report, presented by ESO Study Group, Jan. 1986.
Conceptual Design of University of Texas 300-Inch Telescope, WDL-TR9039, Jan. 1981.

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