Interferometer Actuator Vibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interferometers with moving parts face challenges in mechanical stability due to environmental factors like vibration and shock, making them unreliable in field applications and difficult to operate in environments such as moving vehicles or handheld use.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple interferometer actuators, such as piezoelectric benders or linear actuators, that can be operated individually to control the movement of movable components within the interferometer, providing stability and precise alignment even under extensive movement conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional interferometers use moving parts to generate interference, then interference generation is achieved, but mechanical stability deteriorates under environmental factors like vibration and shock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical moving mirror system with a piezoelectric actuator system. The piezoelectric actuator converts electrical signals directly into precise mechanical displacement of the movable mirror, eliminating the need for large mechanical moving parts. This substitution of mechanical drive with piezoelectric actuation significantly reduces sensitivity to external vibrations and shock while maintaining the ability to generate interference patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using piezoelectric materials that exhibit dimensional changes in response to applied electric fields. This allows the movable mirror to be positioned with nanometer precision through electrical control rather than mechanical drive, fundamentally changing how the interferometer responds to environmental disturbances and enabling stable operation in previously unsuitable conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If movable means are made more rigid to withstand external forces, then stability improves, but the force required to move the movable means increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical screw drives or voice coil actuators with piezoelectric actuators. Piezoelectric materials generate force internally through crystal structure changes when voltage is applied, eliminating the need for external mechanical force transmission. This allows the use of stiffer, more stable mechanical structures without increasing the actuation force requirement, as the piezoelectric actuator directly couples electrical energy to mirror displacement.
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 approach enhances the mechanical stability and alignment of interferometer components, allowing for reliable operation in challenging environments with minimal tilting and vibration resistance, enabling effective spectral analysis and interference generation.
Implementation Method 1
The interferometer actuators are piezoelectric actuators, in particular piezoelectric benders
Implementation Method 2
The present invention relates to a method and a system for the generation of interference of electromagnetic information
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates the movement of at least one movable means of an interferometer relative to the body of the interferometer. The system according to the invention, comprises at least two interferometer actuators, that can be operated individually, so that the at least two actuators are capable of moving the at least one movable means of the interferometer. When activating at least one of the at least two interferometer actuators the at least one movable means of the interferometer is moved with a minimum need for correcting for e.g. tilt. In a preferred configuration the system and the method according to the invention comprises three interferometer actuators that can be operated individually.