Elastomeric Rod Support for Vibrating Optical Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photoelastic modulators face challenges in maximizing the performance quality factor (Q value) due to damping of vibrations caused by rigid mounting mechanisms, which increases drive energy and heat generation, while also requiring secure support to maintain optical assembly position and prevent stress on the optical element.

Innovation Solution

The use of elastomeric rods formed from extruded silicone cords to suspend the optical assembly within the enclosure, allowing free vibration with minimal stress, and a locking mechanism using a sleeve and set screw to secure the assembly without adhesives, facilitating high Q factor and easy assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid mounting mechanisms are used to securely support the optical assembly, then the optical assembly remains in a fixed position relative to the enclosure, but the vibration of the optical element is dampened, requiring more drive energy and increasing heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed position stabilityVSAvoiddrive energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible supports (such as elastomeric materials or thin flexible membranes) to mount the optical assembly within the enclosure. These flexible supports allow the optical element to vibrate freely at its resonant frequency while maintaining the assembly's fixed position relative to the enclosure, thereby reducing the drive energy required and minimizing heat generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If rigid mounting mechanisms are used to securely support the optical assembly, then the optical assembly remains in a fixed position relative to the enclosure, but the Q value is reduced due to increased energy loss from damping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed position stabilityVSAvoidenergy lost per cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible mounting supports that minimize mechanical damping of the optical element's vibrations. These flexible supports allow the system to achieve a high Q value by reducing energy loss per cycle, while still maintaining the optical assembly's stable position within the enclosure through careful design of the flexible support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the optical assembly is securely mounted to prevent movement, then the optical assembly remains in a fixed position, but stress or strain is introduced on the optical element, affecting the oscillating birefringence characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed position stabilityVSAvoidstress on optical element

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible supports that can accommodate the vibrations of the optical element without transmitting significant stress or strain to the element itself. This allows the optical assembly to remain in a fixed position relative to the enclosure while the optical element vibrates freely, maintaining its oscillating birefringence characteristics without degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables efficient vibration of the optical assembly with a high Q factor, reducing energy loss and heat generation while maintaining precise alignment and minimizing stress on the optical element, thus enhancing the performance of the photoelastic modulator.

Implementation Method 1

The use of elastomeric rods formed from extruded silicone cords to suspend the optical assembly within the enclosure, allowing free vibration with minimal stress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A PEM includes an optical element, such as fused silica, that has attached to it one or more transducers for vibrating the optical element at a fixed frequency within, for example, the low-frequency, ultrasound range of about 20 kHz to 100 kHz. The mass of the element is compressed and extended as a result of the vibration.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

A PEM employs the photoelastic effect as a principle of operation. The term 'photoelastic effect' means that an optical element that is mechanically stressed and strained (deformed) exhibits birefringence that is proportional to the amount of deformation induced into the element.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelastic effect: Photoelasticity

Implementation Method 4

a locking mechanism using a sleeve and set screw to secure the assembly without adhesives, facilitating high Q factor and easy assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7800845B2Support for vibrating optical assembly

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 HINDS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A support for a vibrating component of an optical assembly that is adjacent to a frame includes an elastomeric rod having one end that is attachable to the component. A rigid sleeve is fastened to the frame and movable relative to the frame. The sleeve has a bore that opens to an inner end of the sleeve and is sized to receive the free end of the rod therein.