Raytheon Company

Geoffrey A Long

John P Harrell

Michael L Menendez

Gregory L Klotz

Felix T Sasso

Anjali Rangaswamy

Kelly L Jung

Rodin Lyasoff

Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.

Optical element switching system using a Halbach array

A mount for a mountable element includes a frame, and a plurality of flexures supported by the frame. The plurality of flexures are configured to be outwardly extended against a restorative bias, so that the element can be inserted therebetween. The mount further includes a plurality of intermediate bonds that may be inserted between the plurality of flexures and the element while the plurality of flexures are outwardly extended. Among other things, a system and method mounting the element are also disclosed.

Mount for cryogenic fast switching mechanism

A switching system includes two or more rotary switching mechanisms for selectively moving items. The switching system may be used for switching optical elements, such as filters, into and out of an optical path, for example selectively placing one of a group of available filters into the optical path. Each of the rotary switching mechanisms has a passive torque device, including a mechanical flexure and a magnetic latch, that provides most of the torque for moving an item between a retracted position and an extended position, and vice versa. The passive torque device has a pair of null positions or detents at the retracted and extended positions. A brushless DC motor is used to provide a force to get the passive torque device out of these null positions. Thereafter the passive torque device is able on its own to provide most of the torque for movement.

Rotary switching mechanism

Growing community of inventors

Torrance, CA, United States of America

Geoffrey A Long