Interferometer Mirror Bearing With Electromagnetic Drive and Air Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mirror bearings in Michelson interferometers face challenges such as high manufacturing costs, alignment issues, vibration noise, and wear due to mechanical pivot-type bearings, while graphite/glass combinations suffer from manufacturing variances and friction buildup.
Innovation Solution
A mirror bearing design featuring a stationary mounting member with a drive coil coupled to it, a hollow tube for the mobile mirror assembly, and a drive magnet within the tube, allowing electromagnetic forces to control the mirror's movement, reducing parts and size, and minimizing external vibration sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical pivot-type bearings are used for the mobile mirror assembly, then the mirror can be supported and moved, but alignment errors occur as the mirror moves and mechanical vibrations are captured generating noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pivot-type bearings with an air bearing system that uses compressed air to support and move the mobile mirror assembly. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact points that generate vibration noise and alignment errors, allowing the mirror to move smoothly without mechanical friction or pivot errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air supplied through an air bearing system. The air bearing creates a cushion of air between the mobile mirror assembly and its support structure, enabling frictionless movement and eliminating mechanical vibration transmission while maintaining precise mirror positioning.
2Reliability
If air bearings are used for the mobile mirror assembly, then vibration damping and alignment precision are improved, but the system becomes expensive and requires compressed air supply equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the air bearing functionality directly into the existing interferometer structure, allowing the compressed air system to serve multiple purposes: supporting the mobile mirror assembly, providing vibration damping, and enabling precise positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bearing system is designed to utilize the interferometer's existing infrastructure and operational environment, where compressed air is already available or can be easily integrated. The system self-regulates to provide stable mirror support without requiring complex external control mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If graphite/glass combinations are used for the mirror assembly, then vibration damping is improved and costs are reduced, but manufacturing variances cause alignment issues and friction buildup occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the graphite/glass mechanical contact system with an air bearing system that eliminates friction entirely. This substitution removes the source of friction buildup and wear while maintaining the cost-effectiveness and vibration damping benefits of using graphite components in non-contact applications.
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 design achieves reduced manufacturing costs, improved vibration damping, and minimized wire flex, maintaining long stroke lengths and low sensitivity to external vibrations, while avoiding the issues of mechanical bearings and graphite/glass assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a drive coil coupled to the mounting member... When current passes through a drive coil coupled to the mounting member, the resulting electromagnetic forces direct the movement of the mobile mirror assembly
Implementation Method 2
The mobile mirror assembly includes a hollow tube that is configured to be slidably disposed around the stationary mounting member
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a mirror bearing for an interferometer. An example mirror bearing includes a stationary mounting member and a mobile mirror assembly configured for slidable movement relative to the mounting member along its longitudinal axis. The mounting member is configured for rigid attachment to an interferometer body. A bore extends through the mounting member along its longitudinal axis. A drive coil receiving area of the mounting member is configured to hold a drive coil coupled thereto. The mobile mirror assembly includes a tube configured to receive, at one end of the tube, an end of the mounting member. The mobile mirror assembly also includes a mirror coupled to the opposite end of the tube. A drive magnet is disposed within the tube and is configured to be received within the bore of the mounting member when the mirror bearing is in an assembled configuration.