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:
Mar. 25, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 16, 2001
Kenneth J. Wayne, Saratoga, CA (US);
Jan W. Broenink, Weesp, NL;
Englebertus A. F. van de Pasch, Oirschot, NL;
Marcel H. M. Beems, Veldhoven, NL;
Agilent Technologies, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
An optomechanical mounting includes an upper spring assembly and a lower spring assembly that support and secure a sphere containing an optical element. The materials in the mounting have the same or nearly the same CTEs and spring assemblies provide opposing radial forces so that thermal expansions are compensated, giving the mounting superior thermal stability. Frictional forces on the sphere from the upper and lower spring assemblies maintain the orientation of the sphere (and the optical element) during operation, but smooth surfaces of the sphere and springs still permit sensitive, precision rotation of sphere for alignment without post-alignment clamping of the sphere. The spring assemblies can be ring-shaped to permit an opening through the spring assembly to the sphere for light paths or for tools that adjust the alignment of the sphere.