Adjustable/non-adjustable precision optical mounts

Abstract

A highly precision, super stable, structure compact and fully lockable ball joint mechanism optical mounts are presented. Both stationary plate and movable plate have a partial-spherical hole or conical hole. Facing spacing aligns the bases of the partial-spherical holes or conical holes; a space adjustable cavity is formed. An external-spherical shape optical element carrier plate fits and mates in the space adjustable combined cavity forms a ball joint mechanism, or an external-column circumference and edges chamfered optical element carrier plate fits and mates in the space adjustable combined internal-spherical shaped cavity forms an angle tilt-able and around axis swivel-able joint pair mechanism. A removable tooling for exporting a tilting and rotating movement to the optical element carrier plate are presented. Locking ring pushes the movable plate to adjust the combined cavity and locking the optical element carrier plate and to lock optical element that is carried thereby.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to a precision optical mount. It is adjustable with a removable tool set and non-adjustable upon removing the tool set. It is a precision adjustable (both tilt-able for angle adjustment and rotatable), highly compact and solid lockable optical mount that reliably carries and optical element (e.g. a mirror, prism, lens, wave-plate, filter and the like) so that a plurality of such optical mounts can be arranged into a compact and optical efficient system. The space consumption is minimized. Non-distortion is introduced.[0003]2. Description of Related Arts[0004]Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, an adjustable / non-adjustable precision optical mount 100 is disclosed which includes a generally stationary plate 200, an external-spherical round shaped optical element carrier plate 300 (aka An optical element carrier plate 300 having an external spherical shaped surface along its circumference 326), a generally...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Another advantage of the present invention is that the gravity center of optical element is overlapped or close to the support centre to eliminate cantilever structure that the weight, vibration and shock will cause torsion and instability. Another advantage of the present invention is the locking mechanism, which will keep the optical element in an accurate position and not be affected by shock, vibration and temperature change. Also, this locking mechanism will not cause any stress on the optical element. Another advantage of the present invention is that it has a very simple assembly structure for operating and maintenance.

is that the gravity center of optical element is overlapped or close to the support centre to eliminate cantilever structure that the weight, vibration and shock will cause torsion and instability. Another advantage of the present invention is the locking mechanism, which will keep the optical element in an accurate position and not be affected by shock, vibration and temperature change. Also, this locking mechanism will not cause any stress on the optical element. Another advantage of the present invention is that it has a very simple assembly structure for operating and maintenance.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional optical element mounts, such as those typically associated with optical components are generally not suitable to position optical elements utilized in like Laser applications.

Combining the two different mechanisms together can operate both tilting and rotating adjustment; the complicated mechanism occupies more space and lowers the reliability.

However, conventional type spiral springs have little or no resistance to shear forces, which are large and heavy optical elements cantilevered from the rigid mount.

These supporting devices introduce frictional hysteresis that inherently reduces the required position accuracy of the optical elements.

During activation of the locking mechanism positioning errors may be introduced.

For example, the simple procedure of tightening a setscrew to lock an optical element requires much tedious and time-consuming trail and error to align one or more mirrors to a desired setting.

Mechanical vibrations and ambient temperature changes unavoidably transmitted o the optical mount assemblies jeopardize the mirror alignment of a field laser system.

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