The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 03, 1995
Filed:
Jul. 30, 1993
John C Cipolla, Trout Run, PA (US);
Ion Laser Technology, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for multiplexing a light beam such as a laser beam with one or more optical surfaces such as mirrors is taught. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an electromagnet, an armature, and an optical device. The optical device is mounted on the armature. The armature and the electromagnet preferably form part of an electromagnetic relay, so that actuating the electromagnet creates an electromagnetic force which moves the armature from a rest position into a responsive position near the electromagnet, thereby moving the optical device into an active position wherein the optical device engages the light beam. In a presently preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes a leaf spring which urges the armature, and hence the optical device, away from the electromagnet when the electromagnetic force is absent. According to the method of the present invention, the optical device engages the light beam at a substantially constant angle and at a substantially constant distance from the light beam's origin, thereby reducing or eliminating misdirection of the beam as the optical device travels between the active and passive positions.