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. 16, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2000
Robert Tinti, Torrance, CA (US);
Caesar C. Florentino, Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Doug M. Bell, Fountain Valley, CA (US);
Waleed F. Rahhal, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
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.