Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.

Robert Alan Hookman

James Edward Bowman

Benjamin Joffe

Alan David Bell

Eric Johann Schacher

Shaun Richard Cronin

Gary R Walker

Robert Edward Wilcox

A linear translation device includes a frame, a carriage pivotally coupled to the frame, a drive arm body coupled to the carriage and rotatably coupled to the frame, and an actuator coupled to the drive arm body and the frame to effect rotation of the drive arm body about a pivot point. The device effects linear motion to the carriage by rotating the drive arm body by the actuator about the pivot point. An object, such as an optical component, is secured to the carriage such that linear motion of the carriage conveys linear motion to the object. Each of the frame, carriage and drive arm body are preferably coupled to each other with flexures to facilitate substantially frictionless linear translation of motion to the carriage and object secured to the carriage when the drive arm body is rotated by the actuator.

Precision frictionless flexure based linear translation mechanism insensitive to thermal and vibrational environments

A mount includes a plurality of flexures disposed on a frame in pairs for securing an optical component to the frame. A first pair of flexures is disposed along a first axis that intersects a center of the optical component, and a second pair of flexures is disposed along a second axis that intersects the center of the optical component. Each of the flexures is flexible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flexure and allows movement of the optical component in the same direction as the axis upon which each flexure is disposed. Each flexure is further substantially rigid in all directions non-parallel the direction of the axis upon which each flexure is disposed. The alignment of pairs of flexures in this configuration minimizes the adverse effects of extreme vibrational and thermal distortions on the flatness of the optical component.

Mount for ultra-high performance of optical components under thermal and vibrational distortion conditions

An adjustable optical device including an optical element, a housing having an adjusting post fixed thereto, the optical element mounted to the housing, the housing adjusting post having a plane of movement, and an adjustment mechanism, the housing flexibly connected to the adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism comprising a moving adjusting member in sliding engagement with the housing adjusting post, one of the adjusting member and the housing adjusting post comprising a wedge. The housing adjusting post is urged into movement in its plane of movement in response to relative movement between the adjusting member and the adjusting post, whereby the orientation of the optical element relative to the adjusting mechanism is adjusted by movement of the moving adjusting member.

Precisely adjustable optical device having vibration and temperature stability

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Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Robert Alan Hookman