Trw Limited

Doug M Bell

Robert Tinti

Caesar C Florentino

Waleed F Rahhal

A technique for controlling the coefficient of thermal expansion of composite structural members (,) in an optical assembly (,) to maintain precise alignment between optical components (,). The technique includes measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion of each composite structural member (,) and identifying a target structural member having the highest coefficient of thermal expansion. A small end portion of the non-target structural members (,) is removed and replaced with a spacer member (,). The spacer member (,) is made of a material so that the combination of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the spacer member (,) and the structural member (,) matches the target coefficient of thermal expansion. Additionally, the thickness of the spacer member (,) is selected so that the overall length of each of the structural members is the same.

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Fountain Valley, CA, United States of America

Doug M Bell